A new angle on Komodo

I have just got back from the most amazing critter trip to Komodo. I had a group of geriatric divers with me, don't worry this is not an insult, they call themselves this as well! Well, these are the only divers who really go mad for critters and give me the freedom to go exploring where and when I want. We were actually planned to go only on the north and not even enter Komodo, though sea gods were not in our favour at all and with water temperatures as low as 25degC and viz as low 5m I decided to head south, usually water will be warm and clear south if they are not good up north. This proved right and with my old dears we went off exploring, I have always checked out enw places, though rarely get enough chance to get to these sites with a whole group as most want a guaranteed fantastic dive. With this group, they are all happy to one new thing on a trip, and trust me they have seen just about everything and been just about everywhere where there is great diving. Many of whom have been diving before I was even a thought in my parents mind!

So when we went exploring and found a site with mating wonderpuss and other wonderpuss nearby, then Flamboyant cuttlefish, as far as I know this animal never been seen in Komodo, it was seen for 4 weeks on Sangeang island, north Sumbawa a few years back, though never in Komodo, unless someone can report to me otherwise?

Hey sorry I haven't time to ramble anymore, so pleas check out the gallery, check out the nudi photo and click on it to see what happens next. A great behavioural sequence of shots will unfold!

Have to go Fakfak awaits again -- ooh lah lah!

Oops nearly forgot the link, check out: BEYOND KOMODO CRITTER GALLERY

Hi Graham

I just checked out your "beyond komodo" gallery. There really are some cool ones in there. I like the one that looks like a cross between a leafy scorpion and a frogfish.

I am missing the ID on the really weird ones. Just thinking it would be cool to know what they are.

Cheers

Cool Graham!!

You are just the best at finding critters and new cool critter sites!!

But I still liked our Alor trip, that would be pretty hard to beat but this Komodo adventure sounds *hot*

Best, Carol

Fred, I am actually not too sure of that particular frogfish ID myself. I have now photographed this one a few times, first in Alor, then Flores, now in Komodo. I think it may be A. randalli but what is most wierd is the white line on it's face, this seems to be there on other ones I've photographed like this, there is a another photo on the frogfish gallery page of another species the same with a more apparent white line through the face, this has to be a distinguishign feature.

I actually asked Gerry Allen about this but he has no idea about frogfish. I think the only guy who really knows them well is Scott Michael who has studied them in mroe details than anyone I've ever heard of. In fact I will try and send it again to Scott to see if he knows what it may be!

Carol, Thanks for your great comments! Me, I guess I just just love it all, its all exciting, as long as there is a group of interesting and enthusiastic divers to guide I am in heaven!