You may have noticed I am a little octopus-obsessed of late, having been lucky enough to see them in the sea for the first time this summer and autumn – and, of course, having seen one I have managed to see many on my snorkelling trips.   I’ve also been happy to manage to get some interesting videos.

Last week I was surprised to find one sitting on the bottom step of one of my favourite snorkelling spots. Very surprised in fact – because usually I sit on this very step to put my flippers on and off, but this day I snorkelled all the way to the stairs, and thus spotted my new friend sitting right where I usually do. And of course instead of climbing out I stopped and watched (and filmed). Here’s what I saw:

The stair octopus is a close neighbour of the cannon octopus I have shared previously – but, if you missed that video, here it is again. (Sorry. I can’t help resharing this – it still takes my breath way!):

 

 

I have been trying to write a poem that captures the beauty and awe of this creature, and am not yet quite satisfied with my efforts, nor ready to share them. But  here’s a little tribute that I’ve come up with in the meantime:

My Occy Friend

 

The cephalopod

is rather odd

and some folk think she’s freaky

She can lurk in caves

or under rocks

in ways that may seem sneaky

 

But me I think

she’s clever

in the way she fits and squeezes

then shows an eye

or tentacle

or erupts whenever she pleases

 

To shoot herself

like an arrow

to catch herself some lunch

and just as quick

return herself

to her spot for a quiet munch.

 

She likes to change

her colour

to match wherever she goes

and can sucker herself

or climb

and cling.

How this works only she knows.

 

So I’m not scared

of occy

And I hope she’s not scared of me

I can float

and watch for hours

when I  spot her in the sea.

(Sally Murphy, 2021)

Tabatha is hosting Poetry Friday today.  Float over there and gaze on the other poetry treasures on offer this week.