Anilao photography, the critters return

I was in singapore for chinese new years, so I took my wife to Anilao, Phillipines for 8 days.

The water was cold (76-77), but clear. Luckily we brought our full 3mm wetsuits and 7mm warmers, so we were just right. A wind breaker was mandatory on the boat, it was cool and windy topside. I managed to squeeze in 30 dives, and my dive did 28.

The critters did not disappoint us. The harlequin shrimp, bumblebee shrimp, and rhinopias we found last time did not appear, but multitudes of pipefish, giant seahorses, bobbit worms, flamboyant cuttlefish, wonderpus, ambons, soft coral crabs, numerous nudibranchs, and many other strange creatures made for a fantastic trip.

Here's my photo gallery:

http://scottpenny.smugmug.com/gallery/7263...471545214_WaFPN

and here's a few preview photos. Nikon D300, S&S housing, dual Z240s, 10-17mm,60mm,60mm+1.4x,105mm.

enjoy!

Scott

My wife and the school of jacks

Hairy squat lobster

Xenia soft coral mimic nudibranch, nature's finest mimic

Pair of Cerastoma

King of the hill

Hand-painted ghost pipefish

A little hungry? Bobbit worm lunging at a fish

Giant seahorse

Ornate ghost pipefish

Ou WOW!! Spectacular collection Scott!

I really like the tunicate shot in You'r gallery!

Congrats Scott, Extraordinarly Wonderful!

enjoy!

Scott

I did, thanks for posting these. Many really really nice shots in there, like the Giant Seahorse (well more than just that one...)

Great Gallery!

I am booked for 5 days there in April and cannot wait!

Awesome makes me want to go back tomorrow

Absolutely stunning images...Thanks for sharing

Cheers,

Diggy

Lovely images. Definitely deserving a bump. Thanks for sharing.

Wow! The detail is incredible...... wow.....

thanks ScubaMoose - yeah, that tunicate had very interesting structure inside. We also found a pistol shrimp that liked to live inside there.

thanks Steve, you get some great photos too, can't wait to see your latest results.

RealDrew, thanks, the giant seahorse (12 inches long) was one of the highlights of the trip, they are rarely found and we found 3.

Stephen - thanks! how long are you going for? You're going to have a great time!

gary - thanks alot - so I guess you've been there? yeah, I feel like going back again too!

Diggy, Lionfish, MSH - thanks alot guys. Jeff Guzman met me down there, he got some really fabulous photos, hopefully he'll post them also.

Scott

I know they are fairly common, but I love Mantis shrimp. There's always a plentiful supply in Anilao, several species too:

Beautiful images! Anilao is a sure pleaser. I can't wait for my November trip!

Stu