the fascinating photos of Pierre under the sea, a few meters from the shore

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Samuel Sauneuf

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Dec 22 2024 at 8:10 a.m.

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A Saint-Pierre displaying its gigantic dorsal fin, two flying foxes mating in a strange intermingling or even a magnificent seahorse clinging to its algae: these are some of the fascinating species photographed by Pierre Corbrion, at the foot of the Solidor tower in Saint-Pierre -Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine), during an “anthology” night dive a few weeks ago.

“The water was absolutely crystal clear. It was a pure moment of fulfillment and contemplation of all this biodiversity which was revealed to us every second…” exclaimed the young 29-year-old naturalist guide, upon his return to dry land on November 11.

Solidor is an exceptional site

Solidor, underwater paradise? “It’s an exceptional site,” continues the man who tracks underwater life with his camera. “We quickly dive to very interesting depths, 9 to 10 meters during low tidal coefficients. When the visibility is perfect, a wonderful world opens up to us. »

A whole range of underwater fauna unsuspected by landlubbers, less than fifty meters from the famous Servannaise tower.

“This is an exceptional scene! We were very lucky to be able to witness a flying fox mating! The male wraps himself around the female, hugging her in a hold that can last for long periods of time. Neither of them moved during the long minutes of contemplation that we granted them. » ©(Photo Pierre Corbrion)

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The John Dory “is one of the most beautiful and cooperative fish that can be found in our waters. It is easily recognized, between its flattened body, its gigantic dorsal fin and its dark spot in the middle of its body. » ©(Photo Pierre Corbrion)

“This small crustacean covered in sponges is probably an anemone inachus, a small crab often sheltered at the foot of a sea anemone and which covers itself with sponges, in order to camouflage itself and protect itself from predators. » ©(Photo Pierre Corbrion)

“This magnificent female Short-Snouted Seahorse was firmly clinging to some algae even though the overflow current had already started to severely abuse her. » ©(Photo Pierre Corbrion)

This large, massive crab is the Dromia (Dromia personata), a magnificent crab with eyes studded with small red dots and candy pink claws, whose particularity is to wear, with the help of its last pair of legs, a camouflage element. on its shell (algae, sponges, like here, encrusting anemones, colonial ascidians... etc.)… — This large, massive crab is the Dromia (Dromia personata), a magnificent crab with eyes studded with small red dots and candy pink claws, whose particularity is to wear, with the help of its last pair of legs, a camouflage element. on its shell (algae, sponges, like here, encrusting anemones, colonial ascidians, etc.)… ©Corbrion – PIERRE CORBRION

Around thirty rays during a dive

The configuration of this sunken world, where sea meadow grass (eelgrass), strips of sand and boulders follow one another, lends itself to accommodating different habitats. “In Saint-Malo, Solidor is without a doubt one of the most beautiful sites and one of the most varied,” estimates Pierre Corbrion who also ranks La Touesse, in Saint-Coulomb, among his favorite spots. There, Pierre happened to come across “up to thirty rays during a dive”, some of which were a good meter wide.

Aggressive little lobster who fiercely defended his... tire. — Aggressive little lobster fiercely defending its… tire. ©Corbrion – PIERRE CORBRION

“A discreet specter haunting eelgrass beds, the Syphonostome (Syngnathus typhle), although large, goes completely unnoticed due to its mimicry making it resemble an eelgrass leaf. It is a formidable ambush predator in the heart of seagrass beds. » ©(Photo Pierre Corbrion)

The elegant sea slug, the purple coryphella. ©(Photo Pierre Corbrion)

In Solidor, it is another universe, populated by creatures that it is sometimes very rare to be able to approach. Like the Desmaret Squill, known as the “praying mantis shrimp”. “We are also encountering new species that have come up with climate change. Like the suran-chevre, a kind of small Mediterranean grouper. I saw it for the first time a few years ago. Today, it is common to encounter him. »

The Suliaçais immortalizes this underwater wealth during night dives. Ideal for observing numerous

animals invisible during the day but also, he says, so as not to interfere with the human activity which animates Solidor the rest of the time.

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