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	Wonders of the Sea Volume Two: Marine Jewels of Southern California's Coast and Islands

Today, LivingSea Images announced the release of Wonders of the Sea Volume Two: Marine Jewels of Southern California's Coast and Islands by Marc Shargel. This coffee-table book takes readers on a visual voyage beneath the ocean to discover marine life from Santa Barbara to San Diego and offshore to all eight of the Channel Islands. The book highlights the ecological hot spots that dot Southern California’s coastline—places like La Jolla Cove, Point Dume and Farnsworth Banks, where sea life thrives and divers, surfers, boaters, birders, and tidepoolers are treated to a glimpse of nature at its best.

Created by award-winning marine photographer Marc Shargel, the book is a window onto the diverse ocean life of Southern California. Just beyond the south coast’s soaring bluffs and sun-drenched beaches lies a rainbow of color and a diversity of forms, an array of life so different from what we find on land that it seems like another world. Yet it exists within easy reach of the largest cities in the state.

Complementing over 100 beautifully reproduced color images are archival images from Southern California’s history, which show the astounding quantity of seafood harvested there in decades and centuries past. Wonders of the Sea tells the story of the region’s heyday, when anglers caught tuna by the truckload, and people still believed that the sea’s bounty was limitless. The book also describes and illustrates half a dozen different marine habitats found in Southern California, each giving rise to a unique collection of animals and plants.

Ecology, marine biology, natural history interwoven with human history all emerge from the pages of Wonders of the Sea, illuminated by brilliant photography. The pictures come to life in stories told by divers, educators, scientists, surfers and businesspeople. Their voices, from all over Southern California, describe the intimate relationship between local residents and their ocean.

The value of Wonders of the Sea Volume Two: Marine Jewels of Southern California's Coast and Islands, transcends the beautiful images and compelling tales found on its pages. Extensive reference notes, provide a wealth of information about sea life and habitats. A companion website offers links to cited sources, and information about conservation efforts underway to protect Southern California’s ocean.

Wonders of the Sea Volume Two: Marine Jewels of Southern California's Coast and Islands is 112 pages including 106 full-color images and 15 archival images, 12 x 9 inches, published by Living Sea Images. It retails for $39.95, wholesale pricing is available to the trade. You can buy Wonders of the Sea Volume Two and its predecessor, Wonders of the Sea: North Central California's Living Marine Riches at a growing list of retail outlets, and there are two online purchase options. Signed copies are available through the author’s own website. The e-commerce system accepts payment via mailed checks or PayPal, which accommodates all major credit cards. Amazon.com offers unsigned copies, but their free shipping offer saves almost $7.

Marc Shargel has been diving the California Coast for 30 years. He offers a stock photography file of 10,000 images, fine art enlargements, and a line of notecards featuring 70 of his most popular images. His images have won awards in regional, national and international competitions. His stock photography has been used to promote marine conservation and has illustrated books, magazines, CDs, museum exhibits and websites. His book on Southern California marine life is his second.