Departing San Francisco on Eva Airlines, our flight took twelve hours to Taipei where we changed aircraft, following a six hour layover, and continued for another five hours on to Bali, Indonesia. After a couple of days rest in Densapar, our journey continued via a two and a half hour flight to the Wakatobi resort.
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The images taken from the Wakatobi resort were captured in September 2005. My focus was on macro photography; hence, the concentration of smaller subjects, though a few of the creatures, such as the scorpion and cuddle fish provided larger and interesting subjects. To view a larger version, click on the image.
Leaf Scorpionfish Taenianotus triacantghus |
Tasseled Scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis oxcephala |
Tasseled Scorpionfish Xscorpaenopsis oxcephala |
Reef Cuddlefish Sepia latimanus |
I was surprised to survey so many flathead fish, sometimes referred to a crocodile fish. Their eye patterns are particularly interesting. Lion fish were definitely in abundance, as were a variety of angelfish.
Giant Flathead Cymbacephalus beauforti |
Giant Flathead Cymbacephalus beauforti |
Common Lionfish Pterois volitans |
Blue-girdled Angelfish Pomacanthus navarchus |
Particularly interesting was this giant frogfish and the male Jawfish with his mouth full of eggs.
Giant Frogfish Antennarius commersoni |
Pufferfish
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Tomatoe anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus |
Indonesian Jawfish Opistognathus |
Capturing this variety of bannerfish has always been a challenge to me. Their movement is swift and difficult to find in a photographic pose. Finding fish hiding in enclose space is another image I find interesting to capture.
Phantom Bannerfish Heniochus pleurotaenia |
Fish in coral
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Fish in sponge
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Fish in coral
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Shrimp are not that difficult to find, but getting them to pose for you is sometimes a task. Here are a few exceptions. Note the female transparent shrimp that is full of eggs.
Mantis Shrimp |
Crab on egg coral |
Transparent crab with eggs |
Transparent crab in anemone |
For years I have attempted to gain a decent image of an Orangatang Crab. Here is one I am finally satisfied with. The hermit crab appears to be as curious of me as I am of him.
Orangatang crab |
Furry Crab on sponge |
Hermit Crab |
Crab on coral |
Nudibranchs were definitely in abundance. The following are illustrations of some of the species we found.
Nudibranch Chromodoris willani |
Nudibranch Chromodoris elizabethina |
Nudibranch
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Nudibranch
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Nudibranch Phyllidia coelestis |
Nudibranch
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Nudibranch Chromodoris magnifica |
Nudibranch Phyllidia varicosa |
Flatworms and other creatures also provided a nice assortment of imagery.
Flatworm
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Flatworm Maiazoon orsaki |
Seasquirt
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Seacucumber Thelenota rubralinata |
Starfish provided and nice diversity of creatures and did the ever present and beautiful array of soft corals.
Starfish
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Puffer (Cushion) Starfish Choriaster granulatus |
Starfish Celernia heffernani |
Horned Starfish Protoreaster nodosus |
This part of the world is also noted for a beautiful, and diverse array of soft corals. Note the well camaflauged Flathead (Crocodile) fish in the image to the left.
Soft coral with Flathead Crocodile fish |
Soft coral
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Soft coral
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Soft coral
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