My Philippines Pics Finally Up...

I went to the Philippines in May for a couple of great weeks in Anilao and Puerto Galera. Did some great dives, saw some very cool stuff.. like snake eels.. spent hours at a site called Basura in Anilao that has some top top notch muck diving.

ANd basically had an all around general good time with my friends Simon Buxton, Dennis Champ, and Ishbaby (all of whom are members of this board) as well as a group of local Manila residents who hosted us for a couple nights in Manila as well as showed us some of the best in Anilao with Aquaventure.

IN Puerto Galera we stayed at Asia Divers/El Galleon with my old friends Allan Nash and Tommy Soderstrom as well as hanging out with another old friend Matt Reed of Atlantis.

All in all i had a wonderful trip, in fact i am going back in 3 weeks time! And i finished goin through these pics just in time i guess...

Here is a link to my gallery: yes, you have to go back and forth with the back button.... Philippines 2006

And some teaser pics.. all taken with my Aquatica D70, all macro with 105mm and WA with the 10.5, including a few mixed light magic filter shots...

Comments always welcome....

Great stuff, Mike.

Just had a quick browse now - couldn't resist. Will have a proper look later - when I have time at lunch - something to look forward too!

Alex

Beautiful images Mike!

I'm going to Anilao in next 2 weeks (august 17-19) only for 2 days diving.

I'm planning to use Nikon D50 (with S&S DX-D50 housing) + sigma 105 macro and Nikon 12-24mm (+ 2 units of YS-90 auto)

do you have any advise for me mike?

im planning to do macro more than wide angle shoots.

Thx you

Andree

Thanks Alex and Andre..

Yes Andre, make sure you go to the dive site Basura. It is just a slope that you walk in from the bay, your boat driver will drive up to the beach and you walk in.

I went 3 times in one day to that site, and had over 10 mins of deco on a night dive there. hahahaha

I would also suggest a dive or two to Bahura for the massive schools of anthias with your 12-24, very impressive colour there, but can be strong current

I especially luv this shot:

and this shot of nemo too, he's so cute hehe:

Hey Mike..cool pics..

I love the little Poker Dot Box fish...my favourite little fishy...

Alright Mike!

i'll make sure that i'll visit basura!!

Was the water cold? 27c is already consider cold for me...

ussualy at 27c of water, i have to wear 3mm + 1mm hood ( for 60 minutes dive)

i think 28...

i freeze in 29 in my 5mm... got me a 7mm semi dry for Bali in October... gets below 25 there... i'm thinking drysuit....

Absolutely sensational mate!!

Love all the shots, but for me, this one jumps of the screen. Can't believe all those fish!

Also adore the snake eel. Never seen one of those. Very cool.

got me a 7mm semi dry for Bali in October... gets below 25 there... i'm thinking drysuit....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You've turned into a softie mate!

We're going in 8degC this w'end in Port Phillip Bay and I'll be wearing my 7mm. Michaela is lucky enough to have a dry suit...

Great stuff Mike. I went to Anilao in 2002 and it was one of my most productive trips ever. I haven't been to Lembeh but some other guys on our trip who are very well traveled and had been to Lembeh many times thought it was just about the same in terms of critters with better w/a opportunities. I think it's a very underrated destination.

Also, at the time, it was less than half of the cost of a trip to Lembeh.

Awesome shots, the macros are superb.

Is this fellow really laughing at your 5mm?:

Some minor critism to let you stay on the ground: Some WA's look a bit too bright on my monitor. (that's all I could find)

I directly bookmarked your gallery for inspiration (goinig to Philli in oct.)

Great shots Mike! You're preaching to the choir AFAIC... can't wait to go back...in 07

Stu

Thanks for the comments everyone...

And i forgot one thing... a huge thanks to Leslie for helpin me out with Invert ids!! i owe you big time...

Kees, ya, hot spots eh? i am getting a new strobe... that one seems a bit buggered...

Great shots Mike. I'll have put these two on the list of places to visit.

Great series! but...... I would dive naked if I had to to see that white and red frogfish!!!

Great shots Mike especially the wide angles although the snake portraits are compelling.

At last. You finally had time to download the pics. I know how difficult it is to find time out there on Yap between chewing and saucing.

-E

Hi Mike,

Very nice work. I love the shallow DOF of that black and green and orange nudi. Looks like you had a blast. Nice work.

Joe

Excellent work Mike, thanks for sharing.