Diving in the Maldives....

WossaWossa Registered Users Posts: 99 Big grins
edited March 16, 2011 in Wildlife
I have been viewing the photo's on this wildlife forum with absolute amazement at the fantastic skill and patience that the members of the forum demonstrate, you are inspirational for amateurs like myself.

Here are some images I have taken on a simple point and shoot (Canon S90) whilst diving in the Maldives recently....not quite the quality of some of the images on here, but they were great fun to take!

Manta ! The most wonderful animal you could ever wish to dive with, very inquisitive and just immense in size.

1049748121_UEy9v-L.jpg

Spotted Moray happy to be photographed.

1049759403_A8M9B-L.jpg

Black Footed Anemone Fish, very shy, really hard I find to photograph. When approaced, they hide inside the stinging anemone for protection (the fish are immune from the anemone sting) and if you get too close the male then becomes very agressive and will swim about in front of your face trying to scare you away.

1049143836_2Cigc-L.jpg

Schooling Bannerfish, these are probably my favourite fish, they are just so small and move really elegantly. You can approach these very slowly and then they will allow you into the middle of the school and then you have hundreds of these beautiful fish all around you.

1049231406_uNVXM-L.jpg

A typical Maldives reef, amazing corals, stunning colours and vibrant marine life. Here thousands of Golden Anthias shoot up from the reef into the current and then all dart back in unison, a big wave of bright orange sweeps the reef, wonderful to watch.

1049185179_bkpAP-L.jpg

My favourite Moray is the tiny Ribbon Eel. I found this little one in the opening of a cave that was filled with thousands of tiny glass fish which this was trying to catch with it's little feather like sensors on the end of it's nose. Very shy to photograph and would would dart back int it's hole if he heard me breathe.

1049754755_rT4Zf-L.jpg

1049242055_LQgGV-L.jpg

This female would hovver over my head waiting for my bubbles to rise up and she would then suck them in through her gill slits, I think this helped her clean them out.

1049752917_izXNn-L.jpg

Comments

  • FlyNavyFlyNavy Registered Users Posts: 1,350 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
  • jackiejayjackiejay Registered Users Posts: 714 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    These are amazing pictures thanks for sharing Loved 3 4 and 7
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Now THESE are some creatures who don't show up every day on this forum. Thank you for posting! I like every one, but especially the first two. And I am certain I will never see them up close and personal! Post more! Best, Pam
  • WossaWossa Registered Users Posts: 99 Big grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Thanks for everyone's kind comments.....Pam McI here are some more for you :)

    Juvenile Black Tip Shark hunting in the shallows.

    776006042_nX5AQ-L.jpg

    776024202_tPiyG-L.jpg

    Oriental Sweetlips, quite a comical fish, they would give Mick Jagger a run for his money on the lip front !!

    1049835515_pM2c9-L.jpg

    A Manta passes overhead through the sunlight.

    1049149668_jsM3L-L.jpg

    A Spotted Moray and a Green Moray house share (I came back at night and found these two fighting)

    1049237176_ie25F-L.jpg

    Snapper, these fish congregate in huge schools, sometimes in their thousands.

    1049152255_b3sGu-L.jpg
  • senorjaxsenorjax Registered Users Posts: 298 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Beautiful photos. And perfect timing as well, I've been wishing I could be snorkeling somehwere. Spent a lot of the weekend watching Youtube videos of diving and snorkeling. I envy you. My favorite shots were the Bannerfish and the Sweetlips.
    Jay
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2011
    Outstanding ste of images clap.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2011
    Looks like a lot of fun!

    Your shot of the Oriental Sweetlips is my favorite in this set.
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • GaleGale Registered Users Posts: 1,052 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2011
    Excellent
    Best Regards
    Gale

    www.pbase.com/techwish
Sign In or Register to comment.