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Brian McHugh: California

Brian McHugh is an avid diver and underwater photographer living in San Diego, California. He learned to dive in Arizona over 20 years ago but, after a move to San Diego 5 years ago, discovered underwater photography. He has dived extensively in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico as well as Southern California and last year he made his first trip outside of North America to Indonesia. Most weeks he makes a night dive or two at his local beach dive spot, La Jolla Shores, where many interesting macro subjects can be found. He also makes several trips each year out to the Channel Islands off the California coast.

He says, “while I always love trips to warm water locations, the beauty of the California coast keeps me going back time and time again.”

Brian is really active on Wetpixel’s Google+ community page. If you haven’t yet, it is worth checking out Google+ as a great venue for photographers.

Sea lion (*Zalophus californianus*) at Santa Barbara Island, California
#1

Sea lion (Zalophus californianus) at Santa Barbara Island, California

Reef at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California.
#2

Reef at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California.

Open wide, this Sarcastic Fringehead (*Neoclinus blanchardi*) was chasing off one of his rivals.  Taken in La Jolla, California.
#3

Open wide, this Sarcastic Fringehead (Neoclinus blanchardi) was chasing off one of his rivals. Taken in La Jolla, California.

Southern Spearnose Poacher (*Agonopsis sterletus*)  at La Jolla Shores, California
#4

Southern Spearnose Poacher (Agonopsis sterletus) at La Jolla Shores, California

Diamondback tritonia (*Tritonia festiva*) at Santa Barbara Island, California
#5

Diamondback tritonia (Tritonia festiva) at Santa Barbara Island, California

Horn shark (*Heterodontus francisci*) at La Jolla Shores, California
#6

Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) at La Jolla Shores, California

California electric torpedo ray (*Torpedo californica*)  at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California
#7

California electric torpedo ray (Torpedo californica) at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California

Wolf eel (*Anarrhichthys ocellatus*) at La Jolla Shores, California
#8

Wolf eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) at La Jolla Shores, California

Kelp rockfish (*Sebastes atrovirens*) at Anacapa Island, California
#9

Kelp rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) at Anacapa Island, California

Painted greenling (*Oxylebius pictus*) at Anacapa Island, California
#10

Painted greenling (Oxylebius pictus) at Anacapa Island, California

*Hermissenda crassicornis* at La Jolla Shores, California
#11

Hermissenda crassicornis at La Jolla Shores, California

Diamondback tritonia (*Tritonia festiva*) at Santa Barbara Island, California
#12

Diamondback tritonia (Tritonia festiva) at Santa Barbara Island, California

Market squid (*Doryteuthis opalescens*) and an iris nudibranch (*Dendronotus iris*) at La Jolla Shores, California
#13

Market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens) and an iris nudibranch (Dendronotus iris) at La Jolla Shores, California

Sculpin (*Scorpaena guttata*) at La Jolla Shores, California
#14

Sculpin (Scorpaena guttata) at La Jolla Shores, California

Sculpin (*Scorpaena guttata*) at Santa Barbara Island, California
#15

Sculpin (Scorpaena guttata) at Santa Barbara Island, California

Blackeye goby (*Rhinogobiops nicholsii*), Anacapa Island, California
#16

Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii), Anacapa Island, California

Sarcastic Fringehead (*Neoclinus blanchardi*) posturing
#17

Sarcastic Fringehead (Neoclinus blanchardi) posturing