When it comes to underwater creativity, a giant Pacific octopus has just raised the bar — and it borrowed a camera to do it!

Underwater videographer John Roney, along with his diving buddy Chris Mullen, embarked on an adventure to Nanoose Bay on the east side of Vancouver Island on August 5. This picturesque spot is renowned for its large octopus population, and as luck would have it, they encountered a particularly impressive specimen. Imagine this: an octopus spanning nearly three meters from arm to arm, resting comfortably under a ledge. But as soon as the divers approached, it couldn't resist the chance to investigate.

Roney recounted the encounter, sharing how the octopus approached them directly, hopped over, and began to explore his camera. “I just let go of my camera and I let it have it for a couple of minutes,” Roney recalled. What followed was nothing short of magical— the octopus showcased its stunning pink underbelly and fanned its sucker-covered arms over the camera, creating a mesmerizing underwater spectacle.

Imagine the excitement as the octopus began to aim the camera at walls and objects, almost as if it was filming its own underwater documentary. Roney couldn't help but laugh at the sight, noting how the octopus even had the courtesy to turn off the camera after a few minutes of filming. “Ten out of 10 underwater videographer for the octopus,” was Roney's enthusiastic verdict, with Mullen adding, “Better than me by far!”

After its brief stint as a filmmaker, the octopus decided to make a personal connection, jumping onto Mullen and wrapping its arms around him while gently exploring his diving mask with its suckers. Roney captured this heartwarming moment, noting that the octopus wasn’t aggressive but rather inquisitive. “Chris looked like he was having a good time,” he pointed out, and Mullen later described the encounter as a “very gentle hug.”

For Roney, who has logged around 1,500 dives in his career, this was only his second close interaction with an octopus. These incredible creatures never cease to amaze him, as every encounter feels like a unique gift from the ocean.

Victoria-born marine biologist Jennifer Mather, an expert on octopuses, reflected on the video, clarifying that while the octopus's actions were beautiful, it wasn’t intentionally taking a selfie. “When an octopus finds something interesting and potentially edible, it picks it up and puts it underneath the arm web,” she explained, emphasizing the intelligence of these creatures. Mather noted that octopuses are quite similar to cats in terms of their personality, showcasing an intriguing combination of curiosity and playfulness.

Roney expressed joy at the community's enthusiastic response to the video, highlighting how captivating these intelligent beings are. “People are fascinated by these animals because they're so curious and otherworldly,” he said with a smile. This encounter is a reminder of the wonders that lie beneath the waves, waiting for us to discover them.