Gold Lace Nudibranch

Easy to pass this gold lace nudibranch hangs to the tops of overhangs and ceilings of caves. The first time I saw one my bubbles had dislodged it and it came floating down past my mask. The seem to glow with an internal light making them one of the most beautiful sites on the reef.

Waiting to be Cleaned

A goatfish, unicorn fish, and surgeon fish all lined up for a tiny Hawaiian cleaner wrasse to pick them clean. This is what cleaning stations can look like out at Molokini Crater, Maui. I have seen these tiny wrasse clean everything from eels to sharks and everything in between.

Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus

Who would expect to see such a beautiful brightly colored fish among the rocky reef and kelp forest in California's cold coastal waters. The Garibaldi seems out of place amongst the silver, black, and grey fish that frequent this habitat. Like a tropical reef fish escaped from an aquarium the Garibaldi fiercely protects its territory throwing caution and camouflage out the window. And like other damsel fish the juvenile garibaldi manages to outshine and out compete the adults for the title of 'worst camouflage in the kelp.'

These fish were always a pleasant sight diving and snorkeling among the California reefs. And I wasn't surprised to see that the newly opened GA aquarium chose a garibaldi for its mascot, cleverly naming it Deepo, a cross between the ever popular Neemo and its main benefactor Home Depot! Little do the kids know that they will have to travel 3000 miles if they want to see their new favorite fish in the wild. Submit Images and Footage to Shutterstock and make money! Or check out my underwater photos for sale at www.daimarsphotos.com

Turtle Friend

  One of the beautiful things about scuba diving is the fact that you can be underwater long enough that animals who are normally shy and timid can become more acclimated to your presence.
  This Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle swam right at me, circled me a few times, then slowly swam up towards the surface for some air. These turtles can hold their breath for an amazing 5 hours. Luckily we see them pop up to the surface much more often around here. It is these times when the turtle is just under the surface when a photographer can catch it in the best light and with the purest colors.

Pustulose Phyllidia

This is the 2nd most common phyllidia in Hawaii. This creature feeds on poisonous sponges and incorporates those toxins into its own body.