Jellyfish have always drawn gasps at their beauty - and at times their venom which range from mild, to enough to kill a man. Found in every ocean and in some freshwater lakes and rivers, the jellyfish is one of the wonders of marine life. Join me as we look at 14 of the most beautiful! 1. Cannonball Jellyfish
The Cannonball jellyfish lives along the coast from the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. all the way down to Brazil, named obviously for its shape. One interesting little twist is how it sexually reproduces. It can reproduce asexually but when it does not, it shoots sperm from its mouth to be caught in the mouth of the receiving jellyfish. 2. Flower Hat Jellyfish
These curious creatures really do look like spring bonnets made to wear. They are a rare species found off the coast of Brazil, Argentina and Japan. Its tentacles coil up and stick to the rim when they aren't using them, giving rise to the bonnet look. 3. Portuguese Man o'War
A magnificent creature that is so commonly considered a jellyfish I include it here but is actually "a siphonophore, which differ from jellyfish in that they are not actually a single creature, but a colonial organism made up of many minute individuals called zooids" (according to Wikipedia). It has a gas bladder and swims on top of the waves letting the wind and current take it, while the tentacles can hang down 66 feet below. 4. Purple Striped Jellyfish
A species found around Monterey Bay, not a lot is known about their habits. Most individuals have four frilly oral arms and eight marginal arms. As they vary with age different numbers may be seen. It is a striking jelly with its bands of purple around its bell. A symbiotic crab often lives with it to feed on the parasitic amphipods that live on and damage jellies. 5. Diplulmaris Antarctica
This is a really strange but beautiful creature, which looks like a fried or poached egg and lives in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. It is also one of the few jellies that can locomote on its own, not just relying on current. 6. Darth Vader or the Narcomedusae
This gorgeous creature is found in deep waters of Antarctica and has four orange frilled arms as well as white tentacles. The little white dots on the bell of the jellyfish are teeny amphipods that live off jellyfish, sometimes eating it but not in this case. 7. Black Sea Nettle
The black sea nettle is a giant jellyfish with a bell as big as 3 feet across and oral arms as long as 20 feet. They are found in Pacific Ocean waters and are carnivorous, eating larvae, plankton and even other jellyfish. 8. White Spotted Jellyfish
Also called the Australian Spotted Jellyfish, these are native to the Pacific Southwest waters. Fairly large they generally consume snail species but they have become a concern in some areas because of the huge amount of water they filter, digesting plankton that some food fish and other fish need. 9. Breede River Jellyfish
A species found around Monterey Bay, not a lot is known about their habits. Most individuals have four frilly oral arms and eight marginal arms. As they vary with age different numbers may be seen. It is a striking jelly with its bands of purple around its bell. A symbiotic crab often lives with it to feed on the parasitic amphipods that live on and damage jellies. 10. Mediterranean or Fried Egg Jellyfish
This is a really strange but beautiful creature, which looks like a fried or poached egg and lives in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. It is also one of the few jellies that can locomote on its own, not just relying on current. 11. Darth Vader or the Narcomedusae
Found in the Arctic, this is a fairly new discovered species with 4 tentacles and 12 stomach pouches. It swims holding out its poisoned tentacles in front, better to ambush prey. 12. Blue Jellyfish
The blue jellyfish or Cyanea lamarckii is stunning in its color and has stinging tentacles. Found off the coast of Scotland, the North Sea and the Irish Sea, they average 15 cm across and look like bright blue pom poms. 13. Crossota sp
A gorgeous red medusa that was found in the arctic just off the sea floor during the Hidden Ocean, Arctic 2005 exploration with the NOAA. 14. Porpita Porpita
An astonishing beauty, this is one of the freshwater hydromedusas and appears in large numbers during summer in the Breede river in Africa. Very little is known about them as they disappears later in the year and have not been given a species name yet. Their mystical white beauty, with golden pedestals make them the winner in this list. There are more famous jellies, and larger ones like the Lion's Mane, but out of all the ones I have seen, these 14 stood out for their beauty. Some ethereal such as the narcomedusa and diplomaris, some more tangible and brash. One thing's for certain - man's fascination with them won't disappear soon.
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Jellyfish have always drawn gasps at their beauty - and at times their venom which range from mild, to enough to kill a man. Found in every ocean and in some freshwater lakes and rivers, the jellyfish is one of the wonders of marine life. Join me as we look at 14 of the most beautiful!1. Cannonball JellyfishThe Cannonball jellyfish lives along the coast from the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. all the way down to Brazil, named obviously for its shape. One interesting little twist is how it sexually reproduces. It can reproduce asexually but when it does not, it shoots sperm from its mouth to be caught in the mouth of the receiving jellyfish.2. Flower Hat JellyfishThese curious creatures really do look like spring bonnets made to wear. They are a rare species found off the coast of Brazil, Argentina and Japan. Its tentacles coil up and stick to the rim when they aren't using them, giving rise to the bonnet look.3. Portuguese Man o'WarA magnificent creature that is so commonly considered a jellyfish I include it here but is actually "a siphonophore, which differ from jellyfish in that they are not actually a single creature, but a colonial organism made up of many minute individuals called zooids" (according to Wikipedia). It has a gas bladder and swims on top of the waves letting the wind and current take it, while the tentacles can hang down 66 feet below.4. Purple Striped JellyfishA species found around Monterey Bay, not a lot is known about their habits. Most individuals have four frilly oral arms and eight marginal arms. As they vary with age different numbers may be seen. It is a striking jelly with its bands of purple around its bell. A symbiotic crab often lives with it to feed on the parasitic amphipods that live on and damage jellies.5. Diplulmaris AntarcticaThis is a really strange but beautiful creature, which looks like a fried or poached egg and lives in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. It is also one of the few jellies that can locomote on its own, not just relying on current.6. Darth Vader or the NarcomedusaeThis gorgeous creature is found in deep waters of Antarctica and has four orange frilled arms as well as white tentacles. The little white dots on the bell of the jellyfish are teeny amphipods that live off jellyfish, sometimes eating it but not in this case.7. Black Sea NettleThe black sea nettle is a giant jellyfish with a bell as big as 3 feet across and oral arms as long as 20 feet. They are found in Pacific Ocean waters and are carnivorous, eating larvae, plankton and even other jellyfish.8. White Spotted JellyfishAlso called the Australian Spotted Jellyfish, these are native to the Pacific Southwest waters. Fairly large they generally consume snail species but they have become a concern in some areas because of the huge amount of water they filter, digesting plankton that some food fish and other fish need.9. Breede River JellyfishA species found around Monterey Bay, not a lot is known about their habits. Most individuals have four frilly oral arms and eight marginal arms. As they vary with age different numbers may be seen. It is a striking jelly with its bands of purple around its bell. A symbiotic crab often lives with it to feed on the parasitic amphipods that live on and damage jellies.10. Mediterranean or Fried Egg JellyfishThis is a really strange but beautiful creature, which looks like a fried or poached egg and lives in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. It is also one of the few jellies that can locomote on its own, not just relying on current.11. Darth Vader or the NarcomedusaeFound in the Arctic, this is a fairly new discovered species with 4 tentacles and 12 stomach pouches. It swims holding out its poisoned tentacles in front, better to ambush prey.12. Blue JellyfishThe blue jellyfish or Cyanea lamarckii is stunning in its color and has stinging tentacles. Found off the coast of Scotland, the North Sea and the Irish Sea, they average 15 cm across and look like bright blue pom poms.13. Crossota spA gorgeous red medusa that was found in the arctic just off the sea floor during the Hidden Ocean, Arctic 2005 exploration with the NOAA.14. Porpita PorpitaAn astonishing beauty, this is one of the freshwater hydromedusas and appears in large numbers during summer in the Breede river in Africa. Very little is known about them as they disappears later in the year and have not been given a species name yet. Their mystical white beauty, with golden pedestals make them the winner in this list.There are more famous jellies, and larger ones like the Lion's Mane, but out of all the ones I have seen, these 14 stood out for their beauty. Some ethereal such as the narcomedusa and diplomaris, some more tangible and brash. One thing's for certain - man's fascination with them won't disappear soon.
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African SonataIt is quite revealing when you get a glimpse into the mind’s eye of a great artist, to appreciate how very differently individual humans can ‘see’ the world in which they live. Surreal art is compelling and graphic, often quite disturbing, but it never leaves the viewer lost for words. One exponent of surrealist art, and to great effect, is the magical, Russian-born artist Vladimir Kush, whose artworks, painted or sculptural, will always leave you breathless with wonder.Butterfly Apple
Vladimir Kush was born in 1965 near Moscow's Forest Park known as Sokolniki. His interest in art was sparked at an early age and as a child, he was fascinated by the continuous sketching done by his artistically inclined scientist father. He remembers clearly the evenings during winter when he would sit on his father’s lap, completing sketches that the older man had started.Arrival of the Flower Ship
Kush was well aware of the vastness of the Russian steppes, untold thousands of square miles of open spaces near to his childhood home, and was influenced even then by a desire to absorb the vibrations of this enormous natural wilderness. He was sent, as a youngster, to two different schools, in an effort to foster his interest in art. Mornings were spent at a regular school learning the usual curriculum, while afternoons, up until 9 pm, were spent doing art classes.Full Steam Ahead
Kush quickly discovered that he found a world of inspiration in art school because the classes he took were prepared to allow eager students total artistic freedom. He hungrily absorbed knowledge about famous Renaissance painters, impressionists, post impressionists and contemporary artists, from whom he took a great deal. This was where he painted the very first of his surrealist paintings.Pillow Book
He enrolled at the Moscow Art Institute in 1982, though his studies were interrupted by a two-year spell of conscripted military service. Within six months of starting his infantry education, it had become obvious to his commanding officer that Kush would be better employed painting big canvases or murals, which naturally had to include military elements, like the one depicting a radio transmitter atop an iceberg in mid-ocean.His work soon came to public attention and began selling in 1987, as soon as he began to exhibit with the Russian Union of Artists. He was asked by interested art lovers at the US embassy to paint portraits of them, but prevented from doing so by suspicious KGB bosses who disliked his ‘fraternizing with the enemy.’ This was the time in his life when the influence of his artistic father was greatest.Departure of the Winged Ship
The father had taught him that ancient Greek civilization considered mathematics and art on a par with each other, so that the former could be used to plan the latter, and great artworks could result from employing mathematical codes. Paintings should be plotted in advance, and the code followed properly, if the real essence of the subject matter was to be captured.Contes Erotique
Vladimir Kush never looked back from that time in his artistic career. He staged a highly successful art show in Germany in 1990, going on from there to Los Angeles where 20 of his most recent works were on display. Nowadays he lives on the Hawaiian island of Maui.Genealogy Tree
To quote the man himself, Maui is “the World Navel, there the infinity of Great Ocean merges into the infinity of bottomless Cosmos. The 'umbilical cord' connecting these open spaces, could be seen from the windows of my house - it is a super-telescope through which mankind for the first time saw the most ancient spots of our universe - places where drops of space condensing, turn into drops of time.”Dialog
This truly gifted man seems able to effect transformations to everyday subjects that are both magical and mesmeric. His imagination seems unable to accept boundaries and his work continually dazzles with innovative flair. There are hopefully several decades more in which his stunning works of art will continue to light up the world stage. An exceptional artist, whom we are privileged indeed to have living in our time. Wonderful.Walnut of Eden
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Jellyfish have always drawn gasps at their beauty - and at times their venom which range from mild, to enough to kill a man. Found in every ocean and in some freshwater lakes and rivers, the jellyfish is one of the wonders of marine life. Join me as we look at 14 of the most beautiful!
The Cannonball jellyfish lives along the coast from the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. all the way down to Brazil, named obviously for its shape. One interesting little twist is how it sexually reproduces. It can reproduce asexually but when it does not, it shoots sperm from its mouth to be caught in the mouth of the receiving jellyfish.
These curious creatures really do look like spring bonnets made to wear. They are a rare species found off the coast of Brazil, Argentina and Japan. Its tentacles coil up and stick to the rim when they aren't using them, giving rise to the bonnet look.
A magnificent creature that is so commonly considered a jellyfish I include it here but is actually "a siphonophore, which differ from jellyfish in that they are not actually a single creature, but a colonial organism made up of many minute individuals called zooids" (according to Wikipedia). It has a gas bladder and swims on top of the waves letting the wind and current take it, while the tentacles can hang down 66 feet below.
A species found around Monterey Bay, not a lot is known about their habits. Most individuals have four frilly oral arms and eight marginal arms. As they vary with age different numbers may be seen. It is a striking jelly with its bands of purple around its bell. A symbiotic crab often lives with it to feed on the parasitic amphipods that live on and damage jellies.
This is a really strange but beautiful creature, which looks like a fried or poached egg and lives in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. It is also one of the few jellies that can locomote on its own, not just relying on current.
This gorgeous creature is found in deep waters of Antarctica and has four orange frilled arms as well as white tentacles. The little white dots on the bell of the jellyfish are teeny amphipods that live off jellyfish, sometimes eating it but not in this case.
The black sea nettle is a giant jellyfish with a bell as big as 3 feet across and oral arms as long as 20 feet. They are found in Pacific Ocean waters and are carnivorous, eating larvae, plankton and even other jellyfish.
Also called the Australian Spotted Jellyfish, these are native to the Pacific Southwest waters. Fairly large they generally consume snail species but they have become a concern in some areas because of the huge amount of water they filter, digesting plankton that some food fish and other fish need.
A species found around Monterey Bay, not a lot is known about their habits. Most individuals have four frilly oral arms and eight marginal arms. As they vary with age different numbers may be seen. It is a striking jelly with its bands of purple around its bell. A symbiotic crab often lives with it to feed on the parasitic amphipods that live on and damage jellies.
This is a really strange but beautiful creature, which looks like a fried or poached egg and lives in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. It is also one of the few jellies that can locomote on its own, not just relying on current.
Found in the Arctic, this is a fairly new discovered species with 4 tentacles and 12 stomach pouches. It swims holding out its poisoned tentacles in front, better to ambush prey.
The blue jellyfish or Cyanea lamarckii is stunning in its color and has stinging tentacles. Found off the coast of Scotland, the North Sea and the Irish Sea, they average 15 cm across and look like bright blue pom poms.
A gorgeous red medusa that was found in the arctic just off the sea floor during the Hidden Ocean, Arctic 2005 exploration with the NOAA.
