Philippines Scuba Diving
Located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, Philippines scuba diving is a dream for underwater photographers. This section highlights the incredible biodiversity found in the region, featuring world-class macro critter hunting in Dumaguete, vibrant coral gardens, and the sheer variety of marine life that makes this archipelago a must-visit.
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Phyllidia: Nature’s Living Jewels
Phyllidia nudibranchs are a type of sea slug found in tropical waters worldwide. These marine creatures are known for their distinctive colors and patterns, making them a favorite subject for underwater photographers. Characteristics Phyllidia nudibranchs are part of the phylum Mollusca and the class Gastropoda, which includes snails and slugs. They are soft-bodied creatures without…
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12 Prized Sea Slugs: A Macro Cinematography Guide
The author expresses deep gratitude for winning first place in the Big Apple Divers Video Contest at Beneath the Sea on March 26, 2023. They thank the judges for recognizing their work and appreciate the chance to share their passion for underwater videography with others in the diving community.
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The Elegant Crinoid Squat Lobster
Despite being called Elegant Crinoid Squat Lobsters, these animals are more closely related to Hermit Crabs than Lobsters. They are commensal species, which means they live alongside Crinoids and benefit from the relationship. The Crinoids provide the Squat Lobsters with protection and an ideal place to feed, while the Squat Lobsters help to clean the…
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Underwater Images from Tubbataha
Tubbataha, a marine protected area in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life, attracting scuba divers from mid-March to mid-June. Visitors may encounter diverse species, including sharks and rays, but are required to have diving experience due to strong currents and stringent protection regulations.
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Tubbataha Drop
As I gaze upon this photograph of a single raindrop in the vast ocean, I am struck by the profound symbolism it evokes. Small and seemingly insignificant droplet represents the individual amidst the sea of humanity. Even the tiniest actions can create ripples far beyond our immediate surroundings. The ocean, with its endless expanse and…
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Chromodoris sp.
Chromodoris is a vibrant genus of nudibranchs known for their colorful patterns and golden rhinophores, which help them sense chemicals in the water. A notable image was taken off the coast of Puerto Galera in the Philippines, showcasing their striking beauty and fascinating sensory adaptations.
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This Week Seven Years Ago
Images from my first underwater camera and first dive trip to the Philippines. The Philippines is one of a kind scuba diving destination, offering the perfect mix of everything a scuba diver would want – cool critters and great selection of resorts. So many cool critters roaming around the ocean floor!
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Juvenile Yellow Painted Frogfish
This was a very exciting and extremely special moment! I was able to capture a few images of a juvenile Painted Frogfish expand its jaw. Frogfish have the ability to enlarge their mouth cavity 12-fold to catch prey. Frogfish mostly dwell in tropical and subtropical bodies of water. They are frequently spotted in open sand…
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School of Blackfin Barracuda
Day two at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and we were looking for big fish like whale sharks. We didn’t find any big animals but we observed a lot of schooling fish. Normally schooling fish either ignore me or they swim away. Today this school of Blackfin Barracuda swam towards me which was quite thrilling. Tubbataha…
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Granulated Sea Star (Choriaster granulatus) – Indo‑Pacific
The Granulated Sea Star (Choriaster granulatus) is a striking reef dweller. It is found throughout the tropical Indo‑Pacific, from East Africa to Fiji. It often appears in shallow coral and rubble zones between 1 and 40 meters deep. This species has short, rounded arms. Its body is plush, ranging from pink to beige, and is…