"This image of Dahlia Anemones (scientific name Urticina felina) was taken at a depth of about 20m along the rocky coastline of Doonee Island in Connemara.

Dahlia Anemones are common along Ireland?s rocky shores. They belong to a group of animals known as Cnidarians (pronounced nidarians) which are characterised by a ?flower-like? appearance, often appearing in a variety of bright colours. They use their sticky tentacles to trap food which is then ingested through a central mouth (seen in the centre of the red anemone here). When anemones are disturbed, they quickly retreat by pulling in their tentacles. They are securely attached to rocks by a sucker-like base that can withstand the force of waves in an exposed rocky shore environment.

Unlike some of their more charismatic neighbours, these sessile creatures are always quite happy to pose for a photograph and are also extremely photogenic."