Each year, cuttlefish arrive on the coast of Devon in the UK for spawning. Many of these are caught in pots laid out in wait for them throughout the bay but this year numerous cuttles have made it to the shallows .
The males fight for several days to find mates and the couple stays together despite the advances of other males. We were lucky enough to witness some of this amazing behaviour last week.
1. The male protectively stroking his girlfriend.
Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko
2. A single male approaches and is warded off by the long tentacle of the protective male
Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko
3. If two courting couples approach each other, the tension also mounts.
Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko
4. Here the stressed male demonstrates striped patterns and the eyes dilate.
Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko
5. More eyes!
Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko
6. The black and white stripes intensify as the males approach each other
Olympus OMD, Nauticam NA-EM5, 8mm Fisheye
7. Male and female will join to pass the sperm sacks from male to female.
Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko
8. Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko
9. The female lays black eggs infused with ink which are attached to the weeds
Olympus OMD, Nauticam NA-EM5, 8mm Fisheye
10. Aliens attack!
Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1/4x Kenko
Hope you enjoy looking at them half as much as I enjoyed taking them.
