Reilly Brennan

Inspiration from the field books of Waldo Schmitt

After a beach bonfire last night and a trip later today down to Monterey, I’m feeling especially crustaceanic. A few months back I stumbled upon the field books of Waldo LaSalle Schmitt, the American marine biologist and one-time curator of invertebrate zoology at the Smithsonian. He was a tireless researcher and avid collector, taking part in more than 15 expeditions around the world. What’s great about the photos from his field book is that they show the difficulty and range of his work. To be an innovative collector of these new specimens, he had to dive, trap, net and dredge his way into discovery. They are a secret look into a life lived expansively. I feel like taking a voyage.

Portion of the fish collected by Waldo Schmitt off the coast of Matiti Island, Tikahau, 1957

Example of catch from gill netting hoisted on the vessel Tondeleyo, September 19, 1940, during Alaska King Crab Investigation

The captain and crew during the Smithsonian-Bredin Caribbean Expedition, 1956

C. Ray and large jellyfish, during underwater specimen collecting near Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica, c. 1962

Nephtyidae polychaetes found off the cost of Palmer Peninsula, Antarctic, c. 1962

Invertebrates at 85 feet, Turtle Rock, Antarctica, c. 1962

Ray and Lavallee with Weddell seals at the Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica, c. 1962

Starfish specimen collected off the coast of Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica, c. 1962

Lunch aboard the vessel Mureva, with dancers from Bora Bora (in local dance competition) consuming lobster, 1957

All photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.