A Bobbitt Worm...

I'm posting two of these.... I am not color correcting nor adjusting these whatsoever. This is really what it looks like.

For those of you (and you know who you are), who said that Bobbitt Worms "are never found" in Secret Bay, I proudly present Exhibit A.

Note that the mouth is composed of two distinct functional parts, the larger portion towards the left has the toothed lower mandible and the area to the right can be used to snare. (Too bad I didn't have my 100mm on, huh?)

(Canon 10D, 50mm. 1/60 at F11.)

And just because I'm a smart ass, I provide Exhibit B for another angle of the infamous Bobbitt Worm (named after none other than the psycho b*tch herself).

:-) I prefer Bud Light, if you please, sir. (LOL!)

(Canon 10D, 50mm. 1/60 at F11)

Note the mandibles and the upper area of the mouth with the smaller tentacles. I am guessing it was sticking up about four inches from the sand in this second photograph.

I don't I want to visit CDesperado Studios if that's how you decorate.

I presume the body of this is about 1" in diameter. Was it motionless? Sensitive to your presence? Did it snap at anything (like your wetsuit)?

That is one ugly mother.

I observed the worm for quite awhile and for the most part, it remained motionless. I have to say that on some level, it had to be aware of my presence.

At first it was sticking up out of the sand about nine inches, but after about the twelfth picture, it _slowly_ pulled back towards the sand to where it was protruding about four inches out of the sand, which you see in the second picture. It stayed there for the duration. It always stayed vertical.... it did not appear to twist or bend whatsoever.

I was tempted to place my TV antennae over it to test for a reaction, but I never did. The entire time I watched it, the big fanged mandibles barely moved, but the thinner ones seemed to continually drift, sort of like an anemone's arms, but more rigid. When I find one again, I think I am going to test for reactions - after I shoot more pics of course. :-)

My guess is it was slightly thicker than 1 inch diameter, but not much bigger than that. I have no way of knowing how long it was, but MAN I wanted to know!

Nice photography! I'm sorry, but I'm compelled to point this out:

In your signature "A man who has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life has no right to keep it to himself." (Jacques Couseau)" - it's COUSTEAU not COUSEAU.

Thanks,

Jim

aka The Grammar Nazi

Thanks Jim, writers love it when you correct our typos (smart ass) - LOL

Wow, once again y'all reinforce how awsome some of the photographers that frequent this forum are! So, is this critter as fearsome as it looks?

Not much is known about Bobbitt Worms really... but after seeing them up close and personal, I am positive I wont be sticking my finger anywhere near one!