Underwater Poker Match

                Underwater Poker

   This was not an easy thing to set up. The three of us were very comfortable in the water after going through our PADI divemaster certification together in Utila, Honduras. We wanted to push the challenge level up a bit so we grabbed a table, some beers, and a deck of cards to set up the ultimate poker game...30ft underwater.
  We took off our BCDs and tanks and hid them under the table. You can see Brian getting a quick breath from his regulator still. If you have ever been scuba diving you can understand the difficulty. Notice, no mask, instead sunglasses. What we hadn't counted on was the surge. Every so often a big wave would pass over head and even at 30ft down our poor poker table would get knocked over. With us soon following.

The 'Not So' Gloomy Nudibranch (Tambja morosa)

  They call this the 'gloomy nudibranch'! Doesn't look so gloomy to me. This hard to find sea slug has the deepest royal blue I have ever seen in an animal. The blue markings are different from slug to slug but the blue vizor over the 'eyes' is a pretty common feature. If you catch it in the right light the dark black features meld into a green tint especially towards the exposed gills.

  You will have to be pretty lucky to find this nudibranch in Hawaii, but you can see different color variations elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific.

  Check out my sea slug gallery at: www.daimarsphotos.com

Saddleback Butterflyfish, Chaetodon ephippium

 As an underwater photographer I love taking pictures of nudibranchs because they are colorful and move very slowly. This makes taking photographs relatively easy. Fish often present much more of a challenge. They swim very fast, and usually away from you. It takes a fast shutter speed and a keen sense of timing to capture moments like this.
  The saddleback butterflyfish, Chaetodon ephippium, is a rare species of butterflyfish to see here in the Hawaiian islands. They usually travel in pairs but this picture is of a loner. I knew I had a chance to get a good picture because this fish was being cleaned by a cleaner wrasse. Fish will usually stick around for that critical extra second when getting cleaned. 
 The other tip is to get the fish sideways but just turned to look at the camera. Having its mouth wide open in this moment was an extra bonus. If you find yourself snorkeling out here in Hawaii, put this fish on your underwater treasure hunt list. Its a beauty.

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!

See more pictures for sale at www.daimarsphotos.com

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