Into Infinity

The HECTOMETER freedive from william trubridge on Vimeo.

"The love of the diver for his world of wavering light. His world of pearls and tendrils and his breath at his breast. Born as a plunger into the deeps he is at one with every swarm of limegreen fish, with every coloured sponge. As he holds himself to the ocean's faery floor, one hand clasped to a bedded whale's rib, he is complete and infinite. Pulse, power and universe sway in his body"

- Mervyn Peake

Coastal Ecology of Chennai - Ghost Crabs #1

Photo:Ghost Crabs (Ocypode sp.) of Chennai are facing a new threat. Commercial hunting and export for preparation of medicinal products. Location: Elliot's beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai.

Been to Marina or Elliots or any other beach in Chennai? Then, you must have surely spotted these guys. With alien like eye stalk and swift like agility, they keep shuttling back and forth, radiating around their tiny burrows which is their home. That is why they are called "Ghost Crabs".

Ghost Crabs, breathe through their gills and stay in their burrows when conditions are unfavorable, such as heat (afternoons), anthropogenic disturbance and cold spells (winter days). They usually feed during morning and evening hours of the day. Their food comprises for organic matters and sometime they even prey on baby sea turtles. I'm highly skeptical about these crabs ingesting plastics/debris or even microplastics for that matter.

Next time when you go to the beach, take time to observe these magnificent alien like life. When you start connecting with them, it transforms into an amazing experience. Just give it a try!