Thursday, February 17, 2011
Ancient Swimmers
Full run of photos here: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/fossil-fish/ballesta-photography
The coelacanth was thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs. Rediscovered in 1938, it is chronicled here in a rare photographic account. 
During 95 hours of diving, the photographer and his team spent a total of 81 minutes swimming alongside four coelacanths. The fish are easily distinguished by distinctive white markings. 
Its sail-like first dorsal fin provides stability while swimming. An extra tail lobe, unique to coelacanths, can be seen today and in fossils from millions of years ago. 
the cross-step of tetrapods. When the expedition team visited in early 2010, the coelacanths ignored the humans, says photographer Ballesta, except the one above: "This is the moment he tried to smile to me."
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