I was almost done with my swim yesterday when I noticed this small day octopus sneaking into this crack. It was shallow there so I got a decent photo of the octopus watching me. Then I swam on a few feet. The octopus, as they do, emerged from its hideaway, so I quickly turned and got the second photo. I can be kind of sneaky, too.
Posted in response to Becky’s October Squares challenge theme of ‘Kind.’ See more responses here.
Such amazing creatures. I have been wanting to see the documentary ‘My Octopus Teacher’, but as not subscribing to Netflix have had to content myself with the trailer and interviews with the filmmakers. It looks to be most fascinating. Have you perhaps seen it?
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My wife and I watched it a couple of weeks ago. We both liked it, being very interested in octopuses and seeing them often in the water. But we also both felt the documentary was rather more about the filmmaker, with the octopus more in the ‘best supporting actor’ category. However, it certainly wasn’t as overbearing as some first person documentaries I’ve seen, so I would definitely recommend seeing it if you get the chance.
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Thanks very much for the feedback on the movie. I have read a review making a similar comment about the movie being more about the person than the octopus. It is good though that the movie is making people feel more positively about octopi and also more interested in marine life and ecology.
I am not a big fan of nature documentaries in general because they tend to be formulaic, often relying on rather irritating tropes. Despite that, I can’t deny though that some of the footage can be stunning.
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I generally find the visual aspect of nature documentaries is wonderful. The narrative can be very hit and miss and, as you say, can be formulaic. I have to give up on those where I can not only predict what’s going to be said, but also the dramatic tone of voice that will be used.
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I know what you mean about the dramatic tones. The whole genre could do with a rethink, especially as the visuals are striking enough without needing to hype any drama, be it real or invented.
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I think they’re trying to attract people who don’t necessarily know much about wildlife so they make it dramatic or overly cute. Unfortunately, that can be irritating to people who appreciate the visuals for what they are and would rather have some solid information in the commentary.
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Hahah!
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wow if you hadn’t known it was coming out you could have easily missed it in that second shot. What camouflage!
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I saw this octopus, and another one yesterday, because goatfish were hanging about nearby. There are a few different kinds of fish that will hunt in the company of octopuses and eels, so when I see them I keep one eye open for their cohorts. Frankly, if I was an octopus, I’d tell the fish to get lost. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t see nearly as many octopuses as I do.
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Fascinating they don’t chase them away. Do the goatfish attract something the octopus might want?
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The octopus might disturb fish that the goatfish can catch and vice versa. I replied to this before, but it apparently it got dumped. Hey ho.
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