Kelpmania: Stunning and Spectacular Kelp Photography
Kelp forests occur in cold, nutrient-rich water and are among the most beautiful and biologically productive habitats in the marine environment.
The coast of California is home to one of the most spectacular kelp forests in the country. Within the confines of this massive forest there lies an abundance of fishes, invertebrates, algae, marine birds, and marine mammals.
Sanddabs are just one of the many marine creatures inhabiting this underworld treasure. “It is an opportunistic predator, feeding on a variety of crustaceans, as well as smaller fish, squid, and octopuses.”Look very closely, as the name is derived from the sand dabs hiding within the ocean floor.
Photograph by Timothy G. Laman
Through the 19th century, the word “kelp” was largely associated with seaweeds that could be burned to obtain soda ash ( sodium carbonate). Kelp was also used directly to refer to these processed ashes.
Photograph by Timothy G. Laman
Photograph by William R. Curtsinger
Interestingly enough, Kelp ash is used in soap and glass production. Until the Leblanc process was commercialized in the early 1800s, burning of kelp in Scotland was one of the principal industrial sources of soda ash . Alginate, a kelp-derived carbohydrate is used to thicken products such as ice cream, jelly, salad dressing, and toothpaste, as well as an ingredient in exotic dog food .
During the Highland Clearances, many Scottish Highlanders were moved off their crofts and went to industries such as fishing and kelping . During the 1820s, when there were steep falls in the price of kelp, landlords wanted to create pools of cheap or virtually free labor supplied by families subsiding in new crofting townships.
Kelp harvesting and processing was a very lucrative way of using this labor, and landlords petitioned for legislation designed to stop emigration. However, the economic collapse of the kelp industry in northern Scotland led to further emigration, especially to North America.
Fun Facts
Kelp Forest Sculpture in Art
Kelp has made it’s way out of the waters and into the homes of collectors, restaurants, and aspiring artists. There is one man in particular that has taken this beautiful ecological marine life and transformed it into unique pieces of art.
Glass Sculpture by Jeff Burnette
Jeff Burnette is one of Canada’s premier glass blowers. Burnette has been working with glass since 1979 and in this time has developed his own unique style. He is revolutionizing the glass blowing industry in Vancouver where his 2600 sq ft workshop is located.
Also check out:
The World’s Most Glorified and Bizarre Mega Disasters in the Making
The World’s Most Spectacular Sand Dunes
Natura Colortora Photography and Beyond the Philosophical Senses
Liked it
17 Responses to “Kelpmania: Stunning and Spectacular Kelp Photography”
On October 4, 2008 at 6:39 am
What a wonderful article, Lauren..Love the pictures!
On October 4, 2008 at 8:30 am
I had no idea that sanddabs are ocean creatures. Every Christmas since I was a small child, we had a cookies called “sanddabs”. These cookies look just like your picture above. I guess you learn something new everyday. This was it for me today. Thanks!
On October 4, 2008 at 9:01 am
Simply breathtaking and amazing! Wonderful stuff.
On October 4, 2008 at 11:23 am
Great article!
On October 4, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Wonderful pics along with a good write.
On October 4, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Good article and love the pictures.
On October 4, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Great job Lauren. Loved the title Kelpmania. True…really is stunning and spectacular.
On October 4, 2008 at 8:19 pm
First off, love the pictures! They are colorful and alive with fascination and enchantment. Yor words speak directly to the viewers with detail and informative content. Excellent! Michael
On October 4, 2008 at 8:47 pm
beautiful pictures,nice job Lauren
On October 4, 2008 at 9:17 pm
They are all so beautiful and the glass sculptures are unbelievable
On October 5, 2008 at 12:28 am
Amazingly beautiful pictures. The glass sculptures were fantastic too.
On October 7, 2008 at 7:52 am
Beautifuuuuulllll…..take care!
On October 7, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Beautiful pictures and your article was informative!
On November 22, 2008 at 1:54 am
Superb! Aaammmmazing photorgaph.
On November 22, 2008 at 7:23 am
Moving images, indeed, the interesting parallel work of men in this environment.
On March 24, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hi everyone,
Just letting everyone know I am updating this piece since it first made it’s debut.
On March 25, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Living next to the California coast and seeing the kelp beds right off shore, I usually think they are more of a nusiance and mess up the water and then wash up on the shore making a mess… but these amazing photos have given me a new appreciation for the kelp. Thanks so much.
Post Comment