Russian photographer gets up close and personal with undersea creatures

These stunning images were taken by Russian marine biologist Alexander Semenov, whose passion is photographing alien-like aquatic animals. Colorful and quirky, the giant jellyfish and other eccentric creatures that populate the scientist's collections create a whimsical mini-world, one in which Aquaman and his underwater pals would certainly feel right at home.

Semenov, who is the head of the divers' team at Moscow State University's White Sea Biological Station, hopes his photographs will inspire a new generation of scientists. To know more about what he is up to, check out his website, Flickr page and Instagram.