California Crustaceans

California Spiny Lobsters in a Commercial Lobster trap

Lobster's eye view from within the trap,

A Red rock crab tucked into a local Santa Barbara oil rig leg.

A Northern Kelp crab on Giant Kelp, offshore Tajiguas CA

Aanyone confirm this species for me? A Crevice spider crab maybe?

Hmmm Dungeness or slender crab?

A Seastar strokes the empty molt of a now even bigger Rock crab.

A large Sheep crab wandering it's domain.

Facing off with the huge Sheep crab

Hmm a sharpnose crab maybe?

The cleaning crew!

Hanging out for a bite, this Kelp crab was balanced in the swell having it's lunch.

Kelp crabs stacking up.

Sheep crab on the defense off of Santa Cruz Island CA

Kelp crab in amongst the Algae.

Antenna time with the California Spiny

Hairy wee beastie!

Beautiful barnacles peeking out from the Metridium on an offshore platform leg.

Hermit crab up close

A great little yellow guy!

Anyone care to guess a species for me on this one? Kevin Lee has some great images of what I think is the same kind of guy check out: http://www.diverkevin.com/North-America-Diving/Invertebrates-Eastern-Pacific/Crustaceans-Eat/10039607_cNdS2#723394929_n6D3b

Coonstripe Shrimp

Coonstripe shrimp emegerging.

Coonstripe shrimp at Forties cove on Santa Cruz Island.

A friendly wave from this Kelp crab out at Santa Cruz Island CA.

Spiny Lobster investigating me.

Swinger, this Kelp crab was the only thin holding these two Kelp stipes together in the current.