The Last Warrior
by Mark Andrew Thomas
Title
The Last Warrior
Artist
Mark Andrew Thomas
Medium
Photograph - Digital
Description
THE LAST WARRIOR
A Man O' War washes ashore just before dawn on Fort Lauderdale Beach, its stunning and intricate form a work of art of nature. Despite their painful sting, there’s no denying the beauty of these creatures, which command both awe and caution. I used my phone flashlight to illuminate the Man O' War from behind to create the illusion of it glowing from within.
An interesting fact about the Man O' War is that it isn't a jellyfish or even a single organism. Instead, it's a siphonophore, a fascinating colonial organism made up of interconnected individuals working together. Unlike many marine creatures, the Man O' War has no means of propulsion; it drifts with the ocean currents and uses its pneumatophore— the purple, balloon-like structure floating on the surface— to catch the wind and aid in its movement. Its tentacles, which can extend up to 165 feet below the surface, create a mesmerizing and somewhat eerie spectacle, though the average length is between 30 and 50 feet. This image captures the ethereal and alien beauty of the Man O' War, highlighting the complexity of life in the ocean's depths.
Uploaded
June 6th, 2016
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