Snapshots from Diving

Diving the Legendary Socorro Islands

The genesis to my Socorro trip was in a question. “Where’s the best diving you’ve ever had, Ali?” It was early evening. We were on the sun deck of the MV Black Manta floating somewhere in the Komodo Islands, Indonesia. Before us, the sun dipped slowly beneath the horizon, casting the last of its golden rays across the land and sea. Ali considered the question. “The Galapagos,” he said after a pause. “Oh! And ... Read More »

Fiji Shark Dive: Trip Report

Sharks. It’s hard to think of a more misunderstood marine creature on the planet than sharks. Mention the idea of being in the water with one to a non-diver and the typical response is a mixture of apprehension and fear. But ask a scuba diver what are his or her favourite creatures to see underwater, and 9 times out of 10 sharks will be among them. Why Dive With Sharks? So why do divers go out of ... Read More »

Harlequin Shrimp

I said wanted to see a harlequin shrimp, and my eagle-eyed dive guide/ genie in a bottle Darma Dive Guide – Freelancer found one for me right as we descended. I love the name and appearance of these little shrimps. The underwater world is just full of unimaginably beautiful critters. Read More »

Yellow Pygmy Seahorse

When diving, I tend to come across pink Pygmy Seahorses far more often than the yellow ones. So this little one was a particular delight to see and photograph. As is the case with most of the macro underwater photography I’ve done so far, this was shot off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. Read More »

Nudibranch II

A nudibranch that bears a striking resemblance to Medusa’s hair. Photographed during a liveaboard trip in Indonesia. Read More »

Xeno Crab

Xeno crab photographed off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. Read More »

Decorator Crab

“Does this fur coat look good on me?” A decorator crab photographed off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. These critters like to put bits of anemones on themselves for camouflage, resulting in the fur-coat-on-a-crab appearance. Read More »

Peacock Mantis Shrimp

A peacock mantis shrimp hogging its eggs. For the uninitiated, this creature has the most complex eyes science has discovered to date. The eyes can see UV light and polarized light. The mantis shrimp also happens to have THE fastest punch in the entire animal kingdom, with punches typically reaching a speed of 10 meters a second and having the power of a bullet from a 0.22 caliber gun. If it punches you, your ... Read More »

Nudibranch I

Those who don’t believe in aliens simply haven’t gone diving yet. Hehe ;) A nudibranch photographed just off the coast at Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. Nudibranches are a type of soft-bodied mollusc. Often mistaken for a form of sea slug, they are FASCINATING creatures that come in all shapes and colours. The two stalks are its rhinophores and indicate where the head is. The little “pom pom” at the back is its gills. Read More »

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