Staples Island is located on south of Walker Group Island. The scene that met you is unbelievably rich in marine life. Below the sparse but massive floating fronds of Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) the wall gave way to a kaleidoscope of colour. Every available inch is covered, dominated by white and pink Plumose Anemones (Metridium senile), large yellow Bread Crumb Sponges (Halichondria panicea), soft fluffy Sea Strawberries (Gersemia rubiformis) and Giant Acorn Barnacles (Balanus nubilis). The ledges were home to hundreds of Giant Red Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrus franciscanus) and massive Sunflower Starfish (Pycnopodes helianthoides) and Leather Starfish (Dermasterias imbricata). Plumose Anemones, two feet high, and vast Fish-Eating Anemones (Tealia piscivora), with deep red stems and green and white tentacles, stood erect in the gentle current on the rocky slopes above the sea bed where two and a half feet high orange Sea Pens (Ptilosarcus gurneyi) filtered the sparse plankton from the water.