Don Sutherland's Underwater Photography

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PNG 2001 Pacific Fish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             Papua New Guinea 2001

In March 2001 I spent 14 days on the Tiata cruising the Milne Bay area of PNG. Most of the time was spent "muck" diving, but at the end we found a Manta cleaning station. The pictures in this Gallery are my favorites from this trip.

This Manta had a "wing spread" of about 12 feet. The cleaning Wrasses were very large, around 6" long. While witing for the Manta one of them picked a cotton ball from my ear!

Film Velvia, fstop 5.6, Lens 20mm, Image Number 733-11

 

When the Manta swam straight at me I reacted a little too soon. A fraction of a second later it saw me, turned and swam over my head. 
What a thrill.

Film Velvia, f stop 5.6, Lens 20mm, Image Number 733-25

Teasing a Manta Shrimp out of its hole is a fun game. They really are spectacular and quite large.

Film Velvia, fstop 22, Lens 105mm, Image Number 716-26

There were many completely white anemones in PNG this spring. They looked just  like the white bleached coral. I think the algae that color the anemone had either left or died; however the anemones looked healthy.  

Film Velvia, f stop 11, Lens 70mm. Image Number 710-34

 

Porcelain crabs feed from the leftovers on the anemone. You can see the sweeper fans in front of its mouth that brush scraps from the anemone surface. The anemone fish, the crab and the anemone seem to exist comfortably together.

Film Velvia, f stop 22, Lens 105mm, Image Number 75-17

 

Small Lion fish flit around like small birds and are just a pretty. I am always challenged to have fish pictures expressing motion. This one looks like a bird in flight.

Film Velvia, f stop 32, Lens 105mm, Image Number 711-17

This small brown seahorse was almost invisible in the shallow grass. They do not move very fast and by idling upright they disappear unless some one startles them.

Film Velvia, f stop 16, Lens 105mm, Image Number 715-4

This was a strange balled sea urchin very colorful but no spines. It apparently is deadly.

Film Velvia, f stop 16, Lens 105mm, Image Number 727-17