Articles

The wonderful, characterful face of a decorated warbonnet, peering out of its burrow, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

The pull of the stunning colors and huge diversity of life in the Pacific Northwest is irresistible for many—including our newest Photographer of the Week, Erika Micone. Hailing originally from the Pacific Northwest, Erika spent a long time traveling the world to far-flung tropical destinations before the cold, emerald waters called her back. She now lives on Vancouver Island, a world-class dive region, and Erika absolutely takes advantage of that fact. She is a member of a dive trio that have labeled themselves the Cackling Hens, and they spend as much time as they can diving and photographing together.

While her portfolio does feature subject matter from other locations around the world, Erika chose to showcase her home waters in this feature. She says she tends to focus on the small critters and the tiniest details, as these are what make the underwater world most intriguing to her. There is an endless sea (pun intended) of patterns and textures beneath the surface, and Erika can find beauty in just about anything.

Whenever she has free time, Erika usually heads for the chilly waters around Vancouver Island, camera in tow, in search of new and exciting critters and photographic opportunities. From the iconic decorated warbonnet and giant Pacific octopus, to obscure shrimp and sea fleas, there is no shortage of amazing subject matter for Erika to make pictures of—and she has no plans to stop!
 

Close-up details of a strawberry anemone feeding on an unfortunate moon jelly, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

The Pacific Northwest is littered with an abundance of crustaceans, like this interesting little shrimp, Washington, USA
 

Hidden in an anemone is the Pacific Northwest's most beautiful shrimp, the candy shrimp, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

A beautiful Janolus fuscus perched perfectly on a strand of seagrass, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

A tiny amphipod, with an armored body and a hefty “nose,” a common but overlooked cold-water subject, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

A clutch of potentially greenling eggs being inspected by a skeleton shrimp, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

The mesmerizing eye of a giant Pacific octopus, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

Beauty is in the details, such as this nudibranch rhinophore, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

A staghorn sculpin has caught itself a small, far more unfortunate, staghorn sculpin, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

A young opalescent squid chowing down on a herring almost as large as itself, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

An unusually but beautifullly colored “sea flea,” Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

Intricate details and beautiful colors and patterns on the skin of a sole, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
 

To see more of Erika’s wonderful work from the Pacific Northwest, please give her a follow on Instagram.