Diving with Solana in Anilao, Philippines

Shots from last week with Adrian (Solana) Uichico...

If you are planning a trip... go to Solana... the dive site (Adrian has named Secret Bay) where we saw all these critters is over a small stretch of sand on we were the only people there each day... so far only discovered and explored by Adrian and his guides. Also.. not only is the diving out of this world, the food is awesome, the beds are unbelievably comfortable and the resort staff are hot (sorry Adrian) 8) !!

A few Cephlo shots mostly from the same 80 minute dive...

Mimic Octopus

Wonderpus (see the advantage of the 45 degree viewfinder here)

Bobtail Squid

Flamboyant Cuttles (4 on the same site)

Flamboyant eggs

More to come once ...

Yes Solana is nice... but those stairs are KILLER! Plus that patch of sand in Secret Bay isn't all that secret.

guess i will have to pay a visit to Adrian next time i am there....

strictly for the octopus and cuttlefish, not the hot staff...

Great pics!

Mike, I can take you to "secret bay" but can't do anything about the other stuff.

Thanks for your positive feedback Drew ... are you based in Anilao then ?

Not at all Alex. Just go there every year. Well ok, I'm skipping this year but I won't be too far away. And I'm sure Adrien wouldn't mind your complimenting his staff, albeit with faint misogynistic undertones.

Nice creatures, Alex. Looking forward to seeing more.

Drew has been everywhere, and is an excellent source of information on most locations - for best operators and cool spots. I always make an note of his comments. Although I don't know what misogynistic means!

Alex

Nice creatures, Alex. Looking forward to seeing more.

....

Alex

Hmm It's almost like you're talking to yourself, Alex. I'm glad I'm not the only one with a common name.

mi.sog.y.ny (mï-söj'∂-ne):

Example (when speaking to a woman):

Normal statement: Those are really nice pair of strobes you have. Are they tuned to natural daylight color temperature?

Misogynistic statement: Are they natural? Do you flash'em?

Alsky (Alex T)

If I may also suggest you resize the pics to 800x600 or smaller, while keeping your copyright. With the sizes you have, some less scrupulous types may be tempted to cut out the name and use them. It's happened before.

And really when I find flambo eggs, I'd go back again and again to get the first births. I love flambos, they are my favorite cephalopods.

Yes.. wish I could have stayed to watch them hatch... here's a few smaller ones

Some more...

Peacock Flounder

pretty little crab eye gobies

Coleman shrimp

Whip goby

I too am drooling over the flamboyant eggs!!

Does anyone have pics/video of any of that species hatching?? What size are they?

Very cool, I want to go!!

Carol (PS Thanks so much for posting!!)

I too am drooling over the flamboyant eggs!!

 

Does anyone have pics/video of any of that species hatching?? What size are they?

 

Very cool, I want to go!!

 

Carol (PS Thanks so much for posting!!)

Carol,

I have several pictures of egg still hanging on flamboyant & I think I've seen hatching picture somewhere(will try to find it...) too. Re size, the one I've seen is little bigger than quarter coin. You should try to come !

Sam

P.S.: Attached a pic my friend took at Anilao last week while I play with manatee in other side of world.

I too am drooling over the flamboyant eggs!!

 

Does anyone have pics/video of any of that species hatching?? What size are they?

 

Very cool, I want to go!!

 

Carol (PS Thanks so much for posting!!)

I have photo of baby flambo with its egg sacs. The little cuttlefish was about the size of my pinky fingernail and the eggs a little smaller than 2 cm diameter. Also seen in Anilao, but last year.

Robin

PS My avatar is one of my photos of the baby flambo