ScubaHankNYC
ScubaHankNYC
@scubahanknyc@scubahanknyc.com

I’m a NYC based Scuba Diver. I share general information on all things scuba diving including dive trip reviews, underwater videos and photographs.

430 posts
16 followers
  • Predators: The Survivor — A Tiger Shark with a Broken Jaw (Maldives)

    Most of us have a specific image of what defines an apex shark—speed, power, and dominance. But off the coast of Fuvahmulah, I spent time with Luana, a resident tiger shark navigating the blue with a severe, permanent jaw injury. This film is a study of her quiet resilience and how she has adapted to…

  • Up Close with the Peacock-Tail Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis)

    The Peacock-tail Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) exemplifies the beauty of marine life in the Indo-Pacific, featuring a clear body, white patches, and blue-tipped limbs. This tiny shrimp thrives within anemones, benefiting from protection and cleaning others. Though small, it’s a sought-after macro photography subject, symbolizing Indonesia’s vibrant reef ecosystem.

  • Chasing Clouds — Tubbataha

    Sunsets at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park offer a mesmerizing spectacle, with endless ocean and vibrant skies of gold, orange, and red. As evening approaches, a calm descends on the dive deck, allowing travelers to pause and appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty above, reminding them that nature’s wonders extend beyond the reefs.

  • Light, Shadow and Sea – A Black and White Short Film

    This month, I presented a short film titled “Light, Shadow and Sea” at the New York Underwater Photographic Society meeting. Focusing on black and white, the film explores underwater contrast and texture, capturing diverse marine environments and emphasizing mood over color. It serves as an exercise in illuminating the subtleties of underwater life.

  • Juvenile Orange Frogfish (Painted Frogfish) Walking the Reef

    The juvenile orange frogfish, or Antennarius pictus, is a unique ambush predator found in the Indo-Pacific. It employs mimicry to blend into its surroundings and walks across reefs using modified fins instead of swimming. Its stillness allows it to remain hidden while awaiting prey, making it a fascinating sight for divers.

  • Ceratosoma trilobatum Laying Its Egg Ribbon in Lembeh Strait

    The Tri-lobed Ceratosoma, or Ribbon Nudibranch, is a visually captivating marine species found in the Indo-Pacific. This salmon-pink slug exhibits unique egg-laying behavior, depositing a coiled ribbon while moving across the substrate. Filming these behaviors in Lembeh Strait requires patience, as natural movement is essential to capture these rare moments.

  • Chasing Clouds — Heading to Durban

    Framed by the oval window of a short flight, the sky shifts as the clouds roll past. This time, the journey is taking me to Durban, South Africa — a stretch of the KwaZulu-Natal coast known for warm currents, dramatic reefs, and shark encounters in the wild waters of the Indian Ocean. Durban sits where…

  • Pilsbry’s Headshield Slug: The Black & White Sea Slug That’s Not a Nudibranch

    The Pilsbry’s Headshield Slug, Tubulophilinopsis pilsbryi, is often misidentified as a nudibranch but belongs to the Cephalaspidea order. This carnivorous sea slug uses its broad head shield to hunt prey in sandy sediments. Found in the Indo-Pacific, it’s distinguished by its variable black and white coloration, making sightings rare and exciting.

  • Tobago Diving Photos: Exploring the Pristine Reefs of Speyside

    Speyside, located on Tobago, offers exceptional diving experiences away from crowded spots. The nutrient-rich waters support vibrant reefs teeming with diverse marine life. Photographers can capture the underwater landscape’s beauty using wide-angle lenses. The area is home to various species, including lobsters and scorpionfish, thriving within the healthy ecosystem.