Spinner Dolphins Diving

 Hawaiian spinner dolphins off the coast of the Big Island dive down after coming to the surface for a group breath. These majestic mammals often swim very close to shore giving snorkelers and scuba divers a great chance to see them in the water.
 In some places around the Hawaiian islands this activity of swimming with the dolphins is promoted, in other places it is looked down upon. There is a lot of grey area concerning the legalities of swimming with dolphins. They are protected under the marine mammal protection act which states it is unlawful to 'harass' them. Interpreting what 'harass' means is where the grey area intensifies.
  Some day in the future it may be totally illegal to swim with dolphins but for me I think as long as you respect them and don't try to change their behavior then you aren't harassing them.

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Philippine Reefscape: Isla Verde

Isla Verde, Philippines

 One of my passions is to introduce people to the underwater world. Whether it is through my underwater photography or showing them first hand, it can be hugely rewarding. If you have never been snorkeling in the ocean then I suggest giving it a try. Face your fear if you are nervous, or jump on an airplane if you are far from the sea. Find a way and I guarantee it will be worth it. In the meantime enjoy some glimpses...

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Whale Shark and Scuba Diver

  This scuba diver had to back out of the way when this massive whale shark, Rhincodon typus, came cruising through. The skin of the whale shark is comprised of dermal denticles, backwards facing skin teeth that channel the water improving hydrodynamics. If you ever get a chance to feel shark skin it is smooth one way and rough, like a cat's tongue the other. Whale sharks are so large that if they bump into you their dermal denticles will draw blood. I know from experience.

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Anemone Fish at Home

 This pink skunk anemone fish felt very protected in its white anemone home.

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Pantropical Spotted Dolphin, Stenella attenuata

The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin is a very cosmopolitan species of marine mammal. It can be found all around the world in warm tropical locals as well as up to 40degrees N and S from the equator. They can be one of the most entertaining species of dolphin to encounter because of their incredible breaches, sometimes leaping 15ft out of the water. They can also be very boat friendly. Bowriding, racing alongside, and surfing in the wake are all common activities.

Spanish Dancer Nudibranch Portrait

A spanish dancer nudibranch (Hexabranchus sanguineus), gracefully undulates through the nighttime water off one of Maui's coastal reefs. This nudibranch has two very different modes of locomotion: crawling and swimming. When it crawls, the wide edges of the mantle are rolled up close to the body. When the animal swims however, the red edges unfurl, and are whirled through the water in a spectacular undulating motion, propelling the animal forwards.

Pelagic Jellyfish

Jellyfish in Hawaii are pretty rare to encounter. If you are ever lucky enough to swim with a large pelagic jelly then take the time to look for little commensal fish like jacks, that are using the jelly as a protective home.
There is also a rare nudibranch that is only found on man-o-war jellies. Sometimes its the little things that you have to be on the lookout for. This is why when everyone is screaming jellyfish and heading the other way I am going in for a closeup!