Susan Spann's Blog, page 88

Colonial Corals on the Move

Most corals live in colonies. In some species, the individual animals conjoin themselves in a single mass:

While others live as collections of separate polyps joined at the bases.

Palythoas (like the coral pictured above) and zoanthid species are among the types that live as separate, conjoined polyps.

The colonies normally spread by forming new polyps around the outside edges of the existing colony mass. The colony gets larger and wider over time, until the polyps form a bushy-looking cluster like the brown and teal ones in the photo.

But not always.

Like many other coral species, a palythoa polyp is an individual animal, and capable of living apart from the colony. Once in a while, a polyp decides the colony has become too claustrophobic and “decides” to set off to found a brand-new colony of its own.

A couple of months ago, I noticed one of my palythoas seemed taller than the others. Six weeks later, I realized the coral had separated itself from the group and started a slow-motion march up the glass at the back of the tank.

In the two weeks since, the coral has moved about 1/4″ – a pace that makes a snail look like an Indy 500 winner. It’s also started putting out a bump at its base (visible below – look for the little bump on the right side of the coral’s base) that’s the start of a second polyp, though whether this means the coral has decided to found a new colony there (mere inches from the former one) remains to be seen.

It’s unusual to see a coral just “up and go” from its colony without any visible stimulus for the departure. Given that, I thought I’d share the unusual story of this rugged individualist of the reef.

Have you ever seen a coral leave its colony? Do you think I should leave this one where it is or move it to another rock (or another tank)? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

An Interview With Amy Sue Nathan!

Please help me welcome AMY SUE NATHAN, whose debut novel THE GLASS WIVES (St. Martin’s Griffin, May 14, 2013) releases tomorrow!

AMY SUE NATHAN lives and writes near Chicago where she hosts the popular blog, Women’s Fiction Writers. She has published articles in Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune and New York Times Online among many others.  Amy is the proud mom of a son and a daughter in college, and a willing servant to two rambunctious rescued dogs.

Evie and Nicole Glass share a last name. They also shared a husband.

When a tragic car accident ends the life of Richard Glass, it also upends the lives of Evie and Nicole, and their children. There’s no love lost between the widow and the ex. In fact, Evie sees a silver lining in all this heartache—the chance to rid herself of Nicole once and for all. But Evie wasn’t counting on her children’s bond with their baby half-brother, and she wasn’t counting on Nicole’s desperate need to hang on to the threads of family, no matter how frayed. Strapped for cash, Evie cautiously agrees to share living expenses—and her home—with Nicole and the baby. But when Evie suspects that Nicole is determined to rearrange more than her kitchen, Evie must decide who she can trust. More than that, she must ask: what makes a family?

I met Amy almost a year ago, when we both became members of THE DEBUTANTE BALL’s Class of 2013. I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of THE GLASS WIVES, and am thrilled to host an interview with Amy on this exciting day before her release!

And so, with no further ado, on with the questions:

Where did you grow up? Will you share a favorite story from your childhood?

I grew up in Philadelphia, in a city neighborhood where I knew everyone on my street and many of the surrounding streets. If you picture one-way streets with tightly packed rowhouses, that’s it. I was a great place to grow up because we were outside playing with kids of all ages, sitting on the steps late at night in the summer waiting for the ice cream truck. I didn’t know anything else, and the fact that I’ve lived in suburbs for the last twenty-three years, is something I never would have expected. I think a favorite memory of mine isn’t really of my childhood, but of going back to visit, when at some point I realized everything was much smaller than I remembered—and I lived there until I was twenty-six!

What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always been a writer, but this time around I started writing because I realized I wasn’t doing anything creative at all. I actually went on a date and the man said he thought the voice in my emails was very well suited to blogging. I looking into blogging, and started doing that in 2006.

If you could go back in time and share one writing lesson with “new writer you” before starting your first manuscript … what would that be?

Don’t wait for the approval of anyone. Just write. Some people will never “get it” and you shouldn’t waste writing energy on anything but writing.

Your debut novel, THE GLASS WIVES, tells the story of Evie, a widow who ends up sharing her home—and her life—with her ex-husband’s second wife (and former mistress) after his unexpected death. What inspired you to tell such a unique story about loss, family, and hope?

My ex-husband passed away about nine years ago, and although this isn’t his story, or mine, the events in my life served as the novel’s springboard. I took that event and then created another set of characters and scenarios to build a novel. I didn’t want to write about what happened in my life, I’d lived it. That was more than enough. But I did use my experiences to inform my writing and understand some of the choices and actions of others.

Do you have a favorite author or book? If so, who (or what) is it, and why?

I know it sounds like a copout, but I don’t have a favorite book or a favorite author. I compartmentalize books and authors and love many, each for different reasons.

What did you find most challenging about writing THE GLASS WIVES? How did you push yourself to get past difficult moments in writing and editing?

Definitely the conflict, since I avoid conflict whenever possible, but it must be part of fiction or readers have no reason to turn the page. While writing realistic fiction I had to learn the balance of blowing up a situation and still keeping it believable.  I really enjoy revising and editing my work, so that’s never a struggle for me to hunker down and get it done no matter how long it takes. When I’m writing I tend to walk away when I’m stuck, and when I do something else, or more likely when I can’t write down ideas (like in the shower or while driving) is when I have a break-through.

What is the last book you read, and why did you choose it?

THE LIFE LIST by Lori Nelson Spielman, which will be published by Bantam on July 9th. I chose it because the premise grabbed me—it’s about a woman who must fulfill her childhood life list at age thirty-four or she won’t get her inheritance. And I chose it because I was lucky enough to get an early copy!

Do you have a favorite scene in THE GLASS WIVES? If so, what makes it stand out for you?

I’m not going to say too much, but I love a scene where Evie reprimands other people’s children. Who of us with kids hasn’t wanted to that a dozen times (or more)?

Do you have any upcoming signings or readings?

I have local readings scheduled in the Chicago area:

May 30, 2013, 7pm, The Book Store
Book Talk and Signing
475 N. Main Street #100
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
 
June 4, 2013 – The Glass Wives Launch Event: 7pm, Flossmoor Public Library
Reading, Signing & Refreshments
Copies of The Glass Wives will be for sale by The Book Cellar, Chicago
Open to the public
Accessible from Chicago via Metra Electric Line, University Park Train
 
June 9, 2013
Printer’s Row Lit Fest
Chicago (Time and Panel TBA)
 
June 11, 2013, 7pm: Homewood Public Library
Reading & Signing
 
June 14, 2013, 7pm, Lake Forest Book Store
Reading & Signing
 
June 15th, 2013, 1pm, Homewood Public Library 
Homewood Writers Group
 
June 19, 2013, 7pm, The Book Cellar
Local Author Night (Beer, Wine & Books!)
4736 N Lincoln Ave #1, Chicago, IL
 (773) 293-2665 ‎

For more information and a full event list, visit Amy’s website.

And now, the speed round:

Plotter or pantser?

Plantser?

Coffee, tea, or bourbon?

Coffee!

Socks or no socks?

Oh my God, I hate socks! How did you know! When I do wear them I have to wear them inside out.

Cats, dogs, or reptiles?  

Dogs!

For dinner: Italian, Mexican, Burgers or Thai?  

Thai

Thank you again, Amy, for joining me today! I really enjoyed THE GLASS WIVES and wish you a fantastic and successful launch tomorrow!

THE GLASS WIVES releases May 14 in hardcover, trade paperback, ebook and audio editions and can be found online, in bookstores, at Target, and just about everywhere else that books are sold!

For more information about Amy or THE GLASS WIVES, please visit Amy’s website, or look for her on Facebook and Twitter!

Japanese Lotteries – Old and New

The Ashikaga shoguns ruled Japan during the Muromachi period. Although not strictly considered a hereditary position, the title of shogun remained in the hands of the Ashikaga clan from 1338 until 1573.

The office most commonly passed from father to son or from older to younger brother, but on occasion it passed in entirely different ways.

One of the strangest?

A lottery.

The fourth Ashikaga shogun, Yoshimochi, held the title of shogun from 1395–1423, at which time he retired in favor of his son, Ashikaga Yoshikazu. Unfortunately, Yoshikazu died only two years later.

After his son’s untimely death, 40 year-old Yoshimochi resumed the shogun’s office–but did not reclaim the title, serving as shogun in fact but not in name until his own death in 1428. During the five-day period between Yoshimochi’s death and his funeral, high-ranking government officials (members of the samurai class) debated who should succeed Yoshimochi as shogun.

Ultimately, the officials opted for a lottery, which was held at the  shrine in Kyoto. The winning candidate, Ashikaga Yoshinori, was a younger brother of Yoshimochi–and also a buddhist monk. As a sixth son, with no realistic chance of becoming shogun, Yoshinori had entered a monastery in 1404, at the age of ten. He remained there until his appointment as Shogun in 1428.

Not surprisingly, Zen Buddhism gained influence in Japan during Yoshinori’s term as shogun. Perhaps more surprisingly, Yoshinori proved a competent military leader, and also a capricious one. He was assassinated on his birthday in 1441.

Which brings us to a second, less dangerous form of Japanese lottery — a giveaway of my upcoming Shinobi Mystery, Claws of the Cat! My publisher, Minotaur Books, is holding a drawing through Goodreads and giving away 15 advance copies of Claws of the Cat. The drawing is open to residents of the US and Canada only (Sorry!). The entry window closes on May 10 – tomorrow! – so click over to Goodreads and enter today if you’d like a chance to win your copy early!

 

Counting the Duties – and Costs – of a Literary Executor

Welcome back to our continuing Wednesday #PubLaw series on literary executors.

Although a general executor can handle the author’s entire estate, including literary issues, authors who name or arrange for a specific literary executor should be aware that literary executors (or trustees) manage only the author’s literary estate. This includes:

1. Copyrights and other intellectual property rights (including print and e-book, film, TV, and stage adaptations).

2. Managing publishing contracts and licenses in force at the time of the author’s death.

3. Derivative works licensing (mainly for sequels and/or formats not exploited during the author’s lifetime).

4. Collection of royalties.

5. Supervision and policing of the author’s literary estate, including litigation to stop infringement or illegal use of rights.

As you can see, this isn’t a “one-time” event – it’s an ongoing job – and most literary executors are paid an ongoing fee for performing the service. Although a family member may be willing to act as your literary executor “free of charge” (though usually only if he or she is also an heir to part or all of the copyrights), it’s important to note that family members often lack the business knowledge critical to the literary executor’s role.

A third-party, professional literary executor will charge an ongoing fee which may or may not be based on the royalties generated by the estate. At a minimum, an attorney performing this service will require an hourly fee for time spent managing the estate. In either case, the costs of hiring a literary executor for ongoing management should be weighed against the value of the author’s estate and the intricacies of its management.

For small estates, a family member may be the best option, with a literary attorney on hourly retainer for contract negotiation, review, and drafting when necessary. Larger estates, which require more constant management, may justify the expense of professional management.

In either case, it’s wise for the author to investigate the costs in advance and make the decision best-suited to profitable management of the author’s own literary estate.

Have questions about this or other estate planning questions? Feel free to ask in the comments – or tweet me @SusanSpann, using the #PubLaw hashtag!

The Reef in Review, April 2013

Last month I started a new feature: -  the Month in Review, Reef Edition. And so, with no further ado, let’s take a look at what happened in April, 2013:

The best shot of the month goes to Cyg & Ceti: a mid-water clip from their mating dance:

Elsewhere on the reef last month:

Lots of algae meant a need for additions to the clean-up crew. This time, that meant large turbo snails and also nassarius snails, which spend most of their time burrowed in the sand and emerge at feeding time to clean up the aquarium floor.

(They’re fully aquatic, but can survive for short periods out of the water. This one went into the reef as soon as I took this portrait.)

The new porcelain crabs, Face and Hugger, made a happy home in the anthelia coral, and this shot of Face with feeding fans extended was a no-brainer for “best photos of the month”:

And last, but certainly not least, Emperor Maximus Angryfish was up to his usual shenanigans–disapproving of everyone and everything that met his gaze:

 

 

In Honor of Teacher Appreciation Week

I’ve had many fantastic teachers over the years, if asked to name the most influential, I’d have to name my ninth grade English teacher.

Ms. Teare – the honor belongs to you.

She started me on the path to writing long-form fiction by assigning a short-story project which became my first full-length manuscript. A manuscript she not only read, but edited over the course of many months, on her own time, in hours no doubt stolen from far more interesting pursuits. (I’ve read that manuscript again, as an adult, and realize just how big a sacrifice she made on my behalf. It truly stinks. Ms. Teare – if you ever see this – please accept my sincere apologies for that horrible epic fantasy fail.)

But her influence extended far beyond those gracious hours. In fact, she taught me a lesson no other teacher has ever matched: she made me an exterminator.

She taught me to kill the be-s.

During the first week of Freshman English, she issued a ban on the verb “to be,” in any and every form. One “is,” or “was,” or “had been” would result in a one-third lowering of the final letter grade on the subject paper. Two occurrences? Two-thirds of a grade. And so on, and so on, and so on.

For my grade-conscious younger self, this rule created both a fascinating challenge and absolute panic. How could a person possibly write an essay without the verb “to be”? How would I keep my perfect record of English-language As?

Suddenly, I saw the B as a dangerous threat … in more ways than one.

And yet, with one deliberate exception (the solution to which became apparent the moment I saw my paper returned with the stinging ‘A-’ emblazoned across the top) I wrote every paper that semester without the Forbidden Verb. In doing so, I learned many valuable lessons. Each sentence became a deliberate act. Each word required thought.

Even after the semester ended, I found myself seeking ways to avoid the hive. The verb “to be” – thought proper in certain contexts – never again became a “catchall” in my prose. The lesson remains with me to this day, and I have no doubt that it made me a stronger writer, then and now.

And so I kick off Teacher Appreciation Week* with thanks to Ms. Teare – and to all the other teachers who care enough (about me and about the other students entrusted to their care) to teach us to read, to write, and to excel. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

May 6-10 is official Teacher Appreciation Week in the United States. If you know a teacher, are a teacher, or just have a teacher you’d like to thank for a difficult job well done, please blog about it and let me know in the comments!

An Interview with Anne Easter Smith

Please welcome Anne Easter Smith, author of the upcoming historical novel ROYAL MISTRESS (Touchstone, May 2013)

Anne is an award-winning historical novelist whose research and writing concentrates on England in the 15th century.  Meticulous historical research, rich period detail, and compelling female protagonists combine to provide the reader with a sweeping portrait of England in the time of the Wars of the Roses.  Her critically acclaimed first book, A Rose for the Crown, debuted in 2006, and her third, The King’s Grace, was the recipient of a Romantic Times Review Best Biography award in 2009.  A Queen by Right has been nominated by Romantic TImes Review for the Best Historical Fiction award, 2011.

Jane Lambert, the quick-witted and alluring daughter of a silk merchant, is twenty-two and still unmarried. When Jane’s father finally finds her a match, she’s married off to the dull, older silk merchant William Shore. Marriage doesn’t stop Jane from flirtation, however, and when the king’s chamberlain, Will Hastings, comes to her husband’s shop, Will knows King Edward will find her irresistible.

Edward IV has everything: power, majestic bearing, superior military leadership, a sensual nature, and charisma. And with Jane as his mistress, he also finds true happiness. But when his hedonistic tendencies get in the way of being the strong leader England needs, his life, as well as those of Jane and Will Hastings, hangs in the balance. Jane must rely on her talents to survive as the new monarch, Richard III, bent on reforming his brother’s licentious court, ascends the throne.

This dramatic tale has been an inspiration to poets and playwrights for five hundred years, and, as told through the unique perspective of a woman plucked from obscurity and thrust into a life of notoriety, Royal Mistress is sure to enthrall today’s historical fiction lovers as well.

Anne is a fellow member of the Historical Novel Society and a fellow speaker at the upcoming Historical Novel Society conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. I’m thrilled that she could join me today for an interview so close to next week’s release!

And now, on with the questions!

Where did you grow up? Will you share a favorite story from your childhood?

I was born in England, spent three years in Germany and then went to Egypt at age 6. Although I had many, many interesting experiences in Egypt, my favorite memory is of a shipwreck my family and other friends had in the Red Sea. We were on an ancient fishing boat, captained by an Egyptian, that had a wheelhouse but no cabin per se. About two hours after leaving Suez, we hit a coral reef and listed horribly to one side. The men in the group all got into the water and tried to right it and float it off the coral but no luck. Imagine the heat (over 100F) on an exposed deck, only enough water for the dozen Brits having a morning’s joy ride to do some snorkeling, fishing and picnicking, and younger kids than I whimpering about wanting to go home. Finally, after sending up some flares to passing Egyptian felucca’s who waved gaily back, two of the guys took the rowboat and went to shore. Miles down in the desert with nothing on the shore. They said there was a road along the Red Sea there, so they’d hike back to … who knows where. Dark came and now all of us kids were scared and whiney, which didn’t help our parents. We tried to sleep at a 45 degree angle, but it wasn’t easy! Finally, at dawn we saw help arrive in the form of a launch from one of the many shipping companies in Suez. The two guys in the row boat had managed to find a tiny village several miles back up the road and phoned for help. I was never more glad to get back on dry land–and I am an avid sailor!

What inspired you to start writing?

A strong urge to tell Richard III’s real story after studying him for more than 40 years, and a rudimentary knowledge of how to write from 10 years as a newspaper editor. My best friend in England finally kicked me in the pants and said: Write it!!

If you could go back in time and share one writing lesson with “new writer you” before starting your first manuscript … what would that be?

Learn the basics of structuring a book: themes, scene-writing and where your climax will come. I had no idea and did it from the gut. It would have been so helpful to have started with a structure!

Your new novel, ROYAL MISTRESS, tells the story of Jane Shore, “the Rose of London” and famous mistress of England’s King Edward IV. What prompted you to choose to tell Jane’s story?

The one important member of the York family who I had only written about as a peripheral character to the main ones in my first four books was King Edward IV. I felt he needed fleshing out. After all, Edward became the first Yorkist king at 19 after some thrilling victories in battle, like Towton and Tewkesbury. I had dealt with his early years as king in A ROSE FOR THE CROWN and DAUGHTER OF YORK, as seen through the eyes of his brother, Richard of Gloucester in the first book and his sister, Margaret, in the second. As I have consistently told the York story during the Wars of the Roses through a different woman’s eyes in each book, I searched for a compelling protagonist to focus on Edward’s character and chose his favorite and final mistress, Jane Shore, whose story had inspired poets, playwrights and balladeers down through the centuries.

Do you have a favorite author, book, or genre? If so, who (or what) is it, and why?

I confess to reading mostly historical fiction–usually not in my own period, and I love Edward Rutherfurd’s long and beautifully detailed novels; I am about to dive into his “Paris” as you read this!

Do you have a favorite scene from ROYAL MISTRESS? If so (and if you can tell us about it without revealing any spoilers!), what makes that scene stand out for you?

Probably the scene where Jane is summoned to the palace by King Edward for the first time. I love Jane’s guilty pleasure in allowing herself, as a married woman, to be seduced by the gorgeous young king. There is a lot of humor in it, too, which I would say always makes a scene more fun to write for me.

What is the last book you read, and why did you choose to read it?

I read so many books for my own writing, or to give a quote for a jacket, or because (in April) I needed to moderate a panel and read the panelists’ work, that I rarely have time to choose something just for fun. “New York” by Edward Rutherfurd is probably the last one I read for fun.

How did you push yourself to get past difficult moments in writing and editing ROYAL MISTRESS? Do you have a favorite place to write or to edit your work?

The best thing I did for my writing was move out of the house and rent a room in someone else’s! It’s my sanctuary where I have no phone and no distractions of the housekeeping kind! It’s light and bright and best of all, quiet.

Do you have any upcoming signings or readings? If so, where?

Saturday, April 27, Newburyport Literary Festival
Friday, May 3rd, 7 PM.,Launch at Jabberwocky Bookshop, Newburyport
Monday, May 13th, 7 PM,  Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA
Tuesday May 14th, 2 p.m., Crandall Public Library, Glens Falls, NY
Wednesday, May 15th, Private book club, Glens Falls, NY
Wednesday, May 15th, 7 p.m. Guilderland Public Library, Guilderland, NY
Thursday, May 16th, 6:30 p.m., Town of Johnsburg Library, North Creek, NY
Friday, May 17th, 7 PM, Alice T. Miner Museum, Chazy, NY
Sunday, May 19th, 2:30 PM, Acworth Silsby Library, Acworth NH
June 22 – 23, Historical Novel Society Conference, St. Petersburg, FL
June 27th, 6 PM,  Boston Public Library

For more details, please see: http://www.anneeastersmith.com/Events___News.html

And now, the speed round:

Plotter or pantser?

A bit of both!

Coffee, tea, or bourbon?

Coffee in the morning, tea at 4 o’clock, and wine in the evening.

Socks or no socks?

Always socks in closed shoes; no socks in sandals.

Cats, dogs, or reptiles?

Most exclusively dogs.

For dinner: Italian, Mexican, Burgers or Thai?

All of the above with equal relish.

Thank you, Anne, for joining us here at Spann of Time today. I know you’re busy with the upcoming release, and I appreciate you stopping by to share a little about yourself and ROYAL MISTRESS!

If you’d like more information about Anne or her books, you can find her at her website or on Facebook. ROYAL MISTRESS releases May 7, 2013 in hardback, e-book, and audiobook editions, available online and at bookstores everywhere!

Monthly Observances: May 2013

April showers bring May flowers, but May brings observances of its own. In 2013, May is official:

Better Hearing Month (Sorry…what was that again?)

Potatoes and Limes Month (Don’t eat them together. The coconuts get jealous.)

Ultraviolet Awareness Month  (UV-A … I see what you did there.)

Vinegar Month (Your fly catching numbers will be down*)  * Extra points for getting the reference.

Gardening for Wildlife Month (some of my friends, who live near deer, do this all year round…)

and, Last but not least…

Get Caught Reading Month.

And, in the spirit of “get caught reading” – please click into the comments and recommend the best book you’ve read recently.

One caveat: it must have been written by someone other than you.

 

 

Choosing the Right Literary Executor

Today we continue our #PubLaw estate planning workshop with a look at choosing the right literary executor.

Although your general executor (or, in the case of a trust, trustee) can also handle intellectual property and copyrights as well as standard probate issues, many authors – especially those with significant numbers of works in print – may want to consider appointing literary executor to handle the intellectual property portion of the author’s estate.

Some points to consider when choosing a literary executor:

1. Pick someone familiar with business, and the publishing industry in particular. A general attorney may not have much familiarity with publishing contracts and intellectual property issues. Your family members, while loving, may not have the business skills required to handle your copyrights effectively. Picking someone who understands publishing will help your heirs minimize costs and conflicts and maximize the benefits of your works.

2. Select an executor young enough to survive your copyrights, and have a secondary choice in mind. Most copyrights last for 70 years after the author’s death – so it’s a good idea to select a literary executor young enough to serve a substantial part of that time.

3. Provide for a successor executor – or a method for choosing one. Since your copyrights may outlive your selected executor’s career, your estate planning documents should name a successor literary executor or include the method for choosing one. Common methods include the majority choice of your heirs, selection by the attorney administering your will or trust, and arranging for a court-appointed successor. Other methods are permitted, too. You may want to consult a local estate planning attorney to learn about your options.

4. Select someone with patience and good communication skills. In addition to negotiating contracts and managing copyrights, the literary executor will need to communicate with your heirs – the people who will receive the financial benefits of your literary estate. Select a literary executor who communicates clearly and effectively – someone who solves problems rather than creating them.

Tune in next week, when #PubLaw will take a look at literary executors’ specific duties and the fees your estate may need to pay for the service.

Have questions about this or other publishing law issues? Please feel free to ask in the comments!

Dancers of the Reef

Seahorses mate in mid-water, during an elaborate mating “dance” that can last for several hours before the transfer of eggs takes place. The male and female swim together both to bond and also to coordinate their movements so the female can deposit her eggs in the male’s pouch. (Not an easy feat when you have to accomplish the task in a current without any arms or legs.)

So far, Cygnus and Ceti haven’t actually managed a successful transfer. Ceti bred twice with her previous mate (little Ghillie, now abandoned in favor of the larger – though less intelligent – Cyg) but to date, Cygnus has dropped the eggs every time. However, what he lacks in agility, he more than makes up in enthusiasm, and although Ceti sulks when he drops the eggs it takes her only a day to forget the mishap.

Two weeks later, they’re always dancing again.

Most people never get to see a seahorse mating dance, which is sad because it’s a lovely combination of coordination … and the lack thereof.

The video below shows about a minute of Cygnus and Ceti “dancing” together. I had to shoot the video without the tank lights on, so you see an occasional reflection off the front of the glass (my apologies, though fortunately it doesn’t hurt the video quality much) and the video doesn’t hit sharp focus for the first 2-3 seconds, so hang in there, the rest is worth it. At about the 52 second mark, you’ll see Cygnus break away for a couple of “crunches” – flushing his pouch with water so it’s ready to take the eggs.

You may also notice that Cygnus looks more pale than usual. He’s normally black, but color-shifts to white during mating. Seahorses can change color at will, and display color variations in an attempt to impress a mate. Cyg has learned only one color change – to greyish-white, but fortunately Ceti doesn’t seem to mind.

I didn’t capture the egg transfer – that happened several hours later – and once again, Cygnus dropped the literal and proverbial balls.

 

Better luck next time, Cyg. My camera and I will be waiting.