Commerson's Frogfish Close-up

A close up of a Commerson's Frogfish. One of the weirdest fish out there but one of my favorite to find. As an ambush predator they rely on camouflage and a lure to bring their prey close in. Then they swallow them up before you can blink an eye.

  See my frogfish gallery at: www.daimarsphotos.com

The Deadly Sea Snake

 Sea snakes can be found in warm tropical waters in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. They are one of the most venomous animals found in the oceans. While their paddle like tails give them an eel-like look, they are still air breathing reptiles. They are close relatives to cobras, and while some sea snakes have a very mild disposition and only bite when provoked (caught), others are more aggressive.
  This picture is of a sea krait, a kind of primitive sea snake that still spends some time on land. Underwater, brave scuba divers who get close enough can see the snake's forked tongue barely come out. The tongue's olfactory sense is much for effective in the water. The tongue action also has the added benefit of being able to rid the body of some of the salt intake.

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Lionfish Panorama

This underwater scene is from a vibrant dive spot called Verde Island. This can be reached on a day trip from the popular scuba diving destination of Puerto Galera, Philippines. The macro subjects like nudibranchs are plentiful here on the steep dropoff but it is the wide angle views that really make this site stand apart. If you find yourself near Puerto Galera then make sure that you save time to go diving here. It will be worth it!

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Pilot Whales and Sun Rays

  A short fin pilot whale and its family lazes about in the sun rays just below the surface. These toothed whales travel in large family groups and can be found all around the world. A few miles off shore of the Big Island, Hawaii is one of the best spots to see them. The water there drops off steeply and is usually calm in the wind shadow of the huge volcanoes. I was lucky enough to be able to free dive under the whales and photograph them from below with the sun rays coming down.

  See this and more at www.daimarsphotos.com

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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