Ruby Red

Huw Penson’s extraordinary macro capture showcases the intricate beauty of a red sea fan (Iciligorgia rubra) at Richelieu Rock, one of Thailand’s premier locations for encountering these spectacular gorgonian corals. The image reveals the coral’s remarkable feeding posture with hundreds of individual polyps extended like tiny white flowers against the vibrant red skeleton. Richelieu Rock diving expeditions consistently reward underwater photographers with encounters like this, where the site’s nutrient-rich currents create perfect conditions for gorgonian colonies to thrive. Penson’s technical expertise shines through in the sharp detail captured across the coral’s branching structure, highlighting the delicate translucent polyps that make this species so photographically compelling.