UnderWater Photography East Timor

The End of an Era

2011-06-28T19:44:00.003+09:00

This is my last post on UWET...at least for a while. I'd like to think that I'm only taking a break from underwater photography in East Timor and that, like so many others, I will return to Timor one day and pick up where I left off.

Diane, Amelia and I are now in Uganda...landlocked.
But that's OK, we've got lots to explore.
Please check out our new blog UWET 2: Uganda Wildlife Ecology and Travel .

Squid Babies

2010-12-27T11:14:00.002+09:00

We hatched about 20 baby squids before returning them and the egg sack back to the sea. This is a large-format picture...click to enlarge!

Squid Eggs Update

2010-12-22T15:28:00.001+09:00

Our little babies are growing!

Sunday at Tasi Tolu

2010-12-19T16:32:00.002+09:00

Pretty cloudy at Tasi Tolu this morning, but we managed to get a few photos. The first two shots here are of squid eggs. Usually these egg sacks are more opaque and attached to soft corals.

Four Distinct Pipehorses

2010-12-19T15:19:00.000+09:00

On my squid-egg-recon dive today at Tasi Tolu I spotted five distinct pipehorses, all along the ridge at 10 meters. Conditions were a bit brutal today with lots of surge, so I only got four of these little guys in focus.

The first two pipehorses are about 4cm, but the second two are tiny, about 15mm. Impossible to focus on in that damn surge.

Green Pipefishes

2010-12-12T08:29:00.002+09:00

Diane and I had a lovely dive at Tasi Tolu this morning. On the way up the slope we found these two ghost pipefishes, perfectly camouflaged in the sea grass and algae.

Tasi Tolu Night Dive

2010-11-18T08:45:00.004+09:00

Thanks to Marcella, Jenny, and Sarah for a wonderful night dive at Tasi Tolu.

This first shot is of two Demon Stingers or Devil Scorpionfish (Inimicus didactylus).

Our friendly Lacy Scorpionfish.

This Orangutan Crab (Achaeus japonicus) is a founding member of the hair club for crabs. As the name suggests, usually these crabs are completely covered with orange-red hairs.

Bobtail Squid

Squid

2010-11-05T20:58:00.000+09:00

A few other photos

2010-10-23T21:50:00.003+09:00

Here are a few other photos that I took during the underwater photo competition. The first shot is of an octopus (~8 cm) eating a crab. The shell is visible beneath the octopus' mantle. Unfortunately, he disappeared into the sand pretty quick.

Inaugural Underwater Photo Contest

2010-10-16T18:49:00.006+09:00

I participated in Timor Leste's Inaugural Underwater Photo Competition last week and feel extremely fortunate to have received a President's Award for the photo below. With the exception of the Manatutu River churning out silt on Wednesday and Thursday, the dive conditions during the competition were extraordinary. Rarely are Pertamina Pier and Tasi Tolu so clear. And the conditions produced some fantastic photos. Keep an eye out in Asian Diver online for all of the winning photos.

Tozeuma Shrimp...In Focus

2010-08-21T08:42:00.003+09:00

Do you remember the post from June...Tozeuma Shrimp...Out of Focus, Or What?...? Well, it was supposed to be a trick. There are actually two Tozeumas in that photo: the larger in the foreground is blurry, but there is also a smaller individual in the back on the right. Very few of you yahoos noticed it, so here is a shot of the larger shrimp...in focus...taken a few days ago.

Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips

2010-08-21T08:34:00.002+09:00

Another shot from the night dive at Dili Rock...this is a juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips (~12cm). Most of the juvenile sweetlips we see are smaller and more difficult to photograph. They tend to flop and flail about. But this Harlequin was pretty chill, casually hunting for an evening meal.

Basket Stars

2010-08-20T14:28:00.004+09:00

Thanks to Sara for dragging me out for a dive at Dili Rock last night. Of the cool creatures we found in our torchlights, I think these two basket stars (Gorgonocephalus sp.) are worthy of a post. After a bit of research, I found that there are 10-12 species of basket stars, that they are typically found in cold water, and that they are closely related to brittle stars, although much larger. These two are 25cm and 40cm respectively. The second photo below is of an individual that has lived in the same spot for at least seven years. Any guesses on the natural life span of a basket star? No googling.

Cuttlefish at Tasi Tolu

2010-06-24T20:22:00.002+09:00

A cute little cuttlefish from this afternoons' dive at Tasi Tolu.

Tozeuma Shrimp...Out Of Focus, Or What?

2010-06-03T12:47:00.003+09:00

This is for you Nick.

Periclimenes Shrimp at Dili Rock

2010-05-30T21:59:00.001+09:00

Detail of the Dragon Shrimp

2010-05-23T12:27:00.003+09:00

You might need to click on this to see a slightly larger image and the amazing detail of the Dragon Shrimp.

Frogfish

2010-05-20T08:49:00.000+09:00

Dwarf Scorpionfish

2010-05-19T15:22:00.001+09:00

Eubranchus - Super Macro

2010-05-19T12:56:00.004+09:00

I screwed on an old diopter to my 100mm macro lens today and headed out to Tasi Tolu for a morning dive. My mission was to get a close-up photo of a Eubranchus (not sure what species) that I had found yesterday. The diopter seemed like a good idea, letting me get super close to the Eubranchus. But wouldn't you know it, today the conditions at Tasi Tolu were absolutely stunning, with crystal clear water and visibility like I've rarely experienced there. I saw a huge barracuda and four reef squid laying eggs, but I couldn't photograph any of it. Having said that, here's the photo of the Eubranchus hanging out on a stinging hydroid. It's about 1cm and almost full-frame.

Lacy

2010-05-18T22:51:00.002+09:00

Octo Redux

2010-05-18T12:55:00.003+09:00

I went back out to Tasi Tolu today and found the mimic octopus that Diane had spotted on Saturday. Much to my surprise, the octopus was only a few feet from where we last saw him.

Shy Frogfish

2010-05-17T10:36:00.002+09:00

This is a very shy frogfish that's hiding in a patch of leather coral at Tasi Tolu. There is a small school of damselfish in the area that are constantly harassing the frogfish, backing into him and smacking him with their tales.

Diane Finds Mimic

2010-05-17T10:21:00.002+09:00

Diane found this mimic octopus sticking its head out of a hole at Tasi on Sunday. We tapped our pointers around the hole and the octopus came partially out a few times to investigate.

Swimmer Crab

2010-05-15T09:12:00.000+09:00

Brown-Banded Pipefish

2010-05-12T12:40:00.002+09:00

This Brown-Banded Pipefish (Corythoichthys amplexus) was actively hunting on the Dili Rock reef today. This individual (~6cm) was very easy to approach and photograph, unperturbed as it searched for benthic invertebrates in small crevices and coral polyps.

Eye . Spotted Toby

2010-05-11T21:53:00.000+09:00

Juvenile Ceratosoma

2010-05-11T16:19:00.004+09:00

This is a juvenile Ceratosoma tenue, recognizable by its perforated purple margin. Adults can reach 11cm, but this little guy was only about a centimeter.

In Search of Dragon Shrimp

2010-05-11T13:56:00.002+09:00

Thanks to Greg from DTL for joining me at Tasi Tolu this morning. We were in search of two Dragon Shrimp Phyllognathia ceratophthalmu that I had a spotted a few days ago. Although it was blustery above water, the dive conditions were surprisingly good.

Blue Line Triggerfish

2010-05-07T22:29:00.001+09:00

This is Pseudobalistes fuscus

Dart Goby from TT

2010-05-07T22:05:00.001+09:00

Ahhh. Feels Good

2010-04-14T10:52:00.003+09:00

It feels soooo good to be back in the water with my camera! On Sunday, Diane and I spotted four rhynopias, but I could only find two today. However, this cute little estuary seahorse made up for it. Viz at Tasi Tolu is not great, but the diving is excellent!

Laying Low

2010-03-16T17:30:00.002+09:00

I've been laying low for a bit, but intend to get back in the water soon. And hopefully, I'll have some new photos soon.

Beauties from Bob's Rock

2010-01-11T21:10:00.009+09:00

Rob, Sara, and I had a couple of nice dives at Bob's Rock on Saturday and found this adult ribbon eel at 8 meters near the entry. I posted a photo in June of a juvenile ribbon eel which was all black.

Risbecia tryoni are almost always found in pairs "trailing" together.

Chromodoris verrieri, 3-4 mm. Check out the beautiful brown and yellow margin on the mantle.

Not a Spanish Dancer

2010-01-11T18:12:00.000+09:00

Thank you very much to Denis Riek, an incredibly knowledgable naturalist and nudibranch enthusiast living in Byron Bay, for correcting my identification of this slug from last week. It's Dendrodoris carbunculosa, not Hexabranchus sanguineus.

Denis is a regular contributor to the Sea Slug Forum, Nudi Pixel, and nudibranchs.com.au. Check out Denis' website at www.roboastra.com.

Weedy Scorpionfish

2010-01-10T18:09:00.002+09:00

Thanks to Joel Gaunt for joining me this afternoon for a rough but rewarding dive at Tasi Tolu. This was Joel's first dive in Timor...and I dare say it's going to be tough to beat! Conditions were terrible, but it was creature feature, including the new discovery of this weedy scorpionfish hanging out about 30 meters west of the patch.

Pregnant Lacy Scorpionfish 2

2010-01-02T21:40:00.000+09:00

Pregnant Lacy Scorpionfish

2010-01-02T06:56:00.006+09:00

Rhinopias aphanes

I was exploring the edge of the top shelf of Tasi Tolu yesterday, just before the slope at about 8 meters. I was thinking about the various sponges, algae, and corals that form habitats for all the great creatures we find at TT. To my delight, I found a pregnant Lacy Scorpionfish! This indivudual is usually much deeper, at 17 meters in the weedy patch. After a bit of research, I learned that scorpionfishes lay an eggsack on the surface. And my guess is that this guy was making his way to the surface to deposit his brood. And yes, it's male: Adult males are smaller than females and according to the research, they carry the eggs.

I realize it's difficult to see, but the Lacy Scorpionfish is on the bottom left of the coral in the first photo. You can click on the photo to enlarge it a bit.

Striped Eel Catfish

2009-12-31T20:44:00.001+09:00

Plotosus lineatus

Dendrodoris carbunculosa at Dili Rock

2009-12-31T15:37:00.004+09:00

Dili Rock was a bit cloudy today...perfect condition for some of the more reclusive creatures to come out and enjoy the day. This Dendrodoris carbunculosa was foraging on the coral rubble at 9 meters. By the way, I just had to touch this guy. He was not slimy and actually harder than I expected.

Napoleon Wrasse

2009-12-30T16:42:00.001+09:00

Not the world's greatest photo, but proof of the Napoleon Wrasse at Dili Rock

Red Fire Goby

2009-12-30T12:39:00.001+09:00

A few shots from last week

2009-12-29T13:07:00.002+09:00

Juvenile Lionfish (~15mm) and the eye of a sand goby (~1mm)

Barred-fin Moray Eel

2009-12-28T22:08:00.002+09:00

Gymnothorax zonipectis

Today at Tasi Tolu

2009-12-27T13:34:00.003+09:00

The first photo is of a Bent Stick Pipefish, the king of all pipefishes. I'd say this guy was around 30cm, or 12 inches.

Ghost Pipefish

2009-12-21T11:47:00.001+09:00

Back in the Saddle

2009-12-03T21:42:00.003+09:00

Thanks to Jonathan, Sven, and Paulo for a fantastic dawn dive at Tasi Tolu this morning. Here are a few of the highlights.

Sunday Night Dive

2009-09-22T13:14:00.002+09:00

Here are a few shots from the night dive on Sunday at, of course, Tasi Tolu. Flathead, Frogfish, and Demon Stinger

Still Catching Up

2009-09-18T13:26:00.000+09:00

Here are a few more photos from recent dives at Dili Rock and Tasi Tolu.

Catching Up

2009-09-16T18:05:00.003+09:00

The only excuse I have for not posting these earlier is that we've been too busy diving. We've found so many amazing creatures lately, including a pregnant seahorse. All of these are from Tasi Tolu on Saturday and Sunday night.

Seahorse

2009-09-06T07:52:00.001+09:00

Graceful Partner Goby

2009-09-01T21:32:00.003+09:00

This is the shy Graceful Partner Goby Lotilla graciliosa with its commensal Red Spot Snapping Shrimp Alpheus rubromaculatus. Unlike most gobies that lie on the sandy bottom, the Graceful Partner Goby seems to hover just above it, constantly flapping it's spotted fins. This is the first pair I've noticed in Timor and had to wait 20 minutes for them to come out for a photo shoot.

Pertamina Pier

2009-08-30T20:17:00.002+09:00

Dan and I got up at the crack of dawn on Saturday to dive the pier. This little blenny has made quite a home for himself in the center a soft orange cup coral, Tubastraea faulkneri.

Wonderpus - Tasi Tolu

2009-08-29T20:35:00.002+09:00

Jaco Island

2009-08-28T15:06:00.006+09:00

Thanks to Dan, Alex, Juvi, Merek, Martin, Annabella, my dive buddy and star videographer Kym, and our tireless and intrepid leader Mark from Dive Timor Lorosae for a fantastic weekend of diving at Jaco Island. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Timor, Jaco Island is part of the Nino Konis Santana National Park on the far eastern tip of Timor. The island is considered a sacred place by the Timorese; overnight stays and inland exploration of the island are prohibited. But the white sand beaches and tranquil coast line are reason enough for a visit. It's about a six-hour drive from Dili, but it's a stunning journey, and the serenity and beauty of Jaco makes the trip well worth the effort.

Of course we all went to Jaco to dive the unexplored reefs and troughs that attract large schools of fish, sharks, turtles, and rays. And we were not disappointed. So where are the photos? Well, anyone who has gotten past the title of UWET.NET knows that I rarely take a picture of anything larger than my hand. And most of the dives on or around Jaco are drift dives, perfect for running into big stuff, but not for tracking down sea spiders.

Having said that, here are a few shots I snapped along the way.

Palette Surgeonfish, Paracanthurus hepatus

Forster's Hawkfish, Paracirrhites forsteri

Reticulated Damsel, Dascyllus reticulatus

Please note: Never, ever say Dascyllus reticulatus three times while shaking your dive pointer at your dive buddy!

Mantis Shrimp

2009-06-29T21:29:00.000+09:00

Xenocrab from Bob's Rock

2009-06-26T23:08:00.000+09:00

More Masters of Camouflage

2009-06-25T20:09:00.003+09:00

Here are two masters of camouflage. The first is Prosimnia semperi, an allied cowry that's virtually identical to the branching coral on which it lives. The second animal might be more difficult to see. It's Periclimenes amboinensis, a commensal shrimp that adapts its color to that of its host crinoid.

Ribbon Eel

2009-06-25T19:52:00.002+09:00

This is a juvenile ribbon eel Rhinomuraena quaesita investigating my pointer (5mm) with its snout and lower jaw tentacles. As the juvenile matures, it will change color from black to blue to yellow at the same time it changes from male to female.

New Post

2009-06-15T07:39:00.001+09:00

I know I've been delinquent in my duties to post something new. I'll try to catch up in the next day or so.

Melibe

2009-05-24T15:44:00.002+09:00

Diane spotted this Melibe sp., possibly viridis or mirifica, (10cm) at Tasi Tolu. It's an unusually clear photo of a Melibe...they usually look like blobs of algae and are difficult to wrap your head around.

Unlike any other genus of sea slug, Melibe have a unique "oral hood" A used to catch small crustaceans. The hood, which is cast out like a fishing net, has rows of 'hairs' along the rim that filter the sand and detritus from the catch. The oral hood, as well as the rest of the Melibe, is quite transparent and it's possible to actually watch small crabs struggle as they are pushed back to the Melibe's mouth. B are, of course the rhinophones and C are cerata. These cerata can be 'sacrificed' and break off, giving the Melibe opportunity to escape when threatened. And finally, D is the fin-shaped posterior. Only a few sea slugs, including Melibe, have the ability to "swim". Swim might be an overstatement, but they do have the ability to jerk their bodies side-to-side and, with the help of this fin-shaped 'tail', move from place to place.

Laying Around

2009-05-24T15:33:00.002+09:00

This is a sea snail (1cm), perhaps Cancilla interlirata (or some other Mitridae), laying eggs on the underside of a Udotea sp. algae. These algae are prolific at Tasi Tolu and play host to a variety of organisms. It might help to enlarge this photo to see the processes of the snail involved in laying.

Irresistible

2009-05-10T22:56:00.001+09:00

Three Mimic Octopuses

2009-05-10T18:21:00.002+09:00

There is absolutely no doubt: Tasi Tolu is the world's greatest dive site. Today we saw three mimic octopuses at about 20 meters.

Bob's Rock

2009-04-26T20:25:00.002+09:00

I can't remember the last time we dived Bob's Rock...Tasi Tolu is just too tempting. But we had a couple of good dives there today with Rob, Sarah, Neil and Richard.

Nembrotha lineolata with its oral tube extended inside an ascidian.

Crabs on a Sea Pen

2009-04-25T22:15:00.002+09:00

Thanks to Neil and Richard for joining Diane and me for a dive at Tasi Tolu this morning.

Loki Whip Goby

2009-04-25T06:47:00.002+09:00

This is likely Bryaninops loki, which is found on many whip corals and fans. And it looks as if the goby has a coral polyp in its mouth.

True Colors

2009-04-24T19:22:00.002+09:00

The top photo was taken on April 11th. Today I photographed the same frogfish - bottom photograph - in the same location.

Dawn Dive at Tasi Tolu

2009-04-24T19:10:00.002+09:00

Thanks to Ron, Jason, and Diane for an absolutely amazing dive at Tasi Tolu this morning. Our efforts to climb out of bed at 0500 were rewarded with a bunch of critters, including three seahorses and this beautiful little octopus.

Leaf Scorpionfish

2009-04-23T01:02:00.000+09:00

Blue Ringed Octopus

2009-04-22T17:58:00.006+09:00

Here's another photo of the Blue Ringed Octopus.

Click to Enlarge.

Xeno Crab

2009-04-22T06:31:00.000+09:00

This Xeno Crab (Xenocarcinus tuberculatus) was found on a whip coral at about 22 meters.

The Coral Triangle Initiative

2009-04-21T04:35:00.003+09:00

Indonesia to Push for Common Fund To Help Preserve Region’s Coral Reefs

The Coral Triangle Initiative, or CTI, countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Solomon Islands — have currently earmarked a total of Rp 2.66 trillion ($250 million) for coral reef preservation but these funds remain under the control of each individual nation.

The leaders of the six CTI countries, along with representatives from the US and Australia, will attend the CTI Summit at the World Ocean Conference in Manado on May 11-15 to focus on "coral reefs, fisheries and food security".

Related resources:
Coral Triangle Initiative
World Ocean Conference (detailed agenda)

Allied Cowry Laying Eggs

2009-04-20T21:15:00.002+09:00

Usually found feeding on the soft coral Dendronephthya, this allied cowry (Pseudosimnia) is laying a spiral of eggs around the branch of a Gorgonian coral.

Great Weekend at Tasi Tolu

2009-04-19T15:19:00.002+09:00

We dived Tasi Tolu three times this weekend and were rewarded each time with new and interesting finds. This morning we joined Alex and Heather and found a colorful cuttlefish, juvenile pufferfish, and a couple seahorses!

Coral Transplant Surgery Prescribed for Japan

2009-04-15T13:47:00.004+09:00

In the last decade up to 90 percent of the coral that surrounds many of Okinawa’s islands has died off.

Since 2005, the project has planted around 13,000 pieces of coral, at a cost of some $2 million. Only a third of the coral sprigs transplanted in 2005 have survived.

“Saving the reef is not something that we can do in three to four years,” says Mr. Hirosawa, a preservation officer at the Environment Ministry, “but more like 30 to 40 years.”

Check out the article in the NYTimes.

2009-04-15T11:44:00.001+09:00

2009-04-14T22:20:00.005+09:00

Another Crab on Sea Pen

2009-04-13T19:33:00.002+09:00

I guess I just like this little guy.

Frogfish from Tasi Tolu

2009-04-11T21:05:00.002+09:00

This frogfish has made its home between two feather stars on the anchor at Tasi Tolu. I encouraged him to come out for a photo today.

On the Sea Pen

2009-04-11T21:04:00.000+09:00

Blue Ringed Octopus

2009-03-15T13:47:00.002+09:00

Groshong

2009-03-13T20:46:00.003+09:00

Had a nice dive with Dan Groshong, famed photographer of Timor Leste: Land of Discovery.

Hobgood

2009-03-13T09:05:00.001+09:00

Measuring Up

2009-02-22T20:29:00.002+09:00

The visability was pretty poor today at Tasi Tolu, but Diane and I rarely look further than a few feet. I wonder how many whale sharks we've missed!

More goodies from Tasi Tolu

2009-02-22T20:19:00.010+09:00

Diane found a seahorse today, the first in several months.

This is the same shrimp from yesterday.

Napoleon Wolf Eel??

Decorator Crab

2009-02-22T00:20:00.002+09:00

Back to Tasi Tolu

2009-02-22T00:07:00.007+09:00

We finally had the chance to get back in the water on Saturday after several weekends of wind and rain.

Baby Lionfish (~1cm)

Cowries laying eggs on a gorgonian soft coral

I'll have to look up the name of this shrimp

Clown Fish and Crab

2009-01-05T23:10:00.001+09:00

Frogfish Kiik

2009-01-02T09:52:00.002+09:00

We had a rather rough exit from Tasi Tolu this morning. But this beautiful little frogfish made it all worthwhile. Checkout the reddish-orange lure that is folded back just above the frogfish's eye. When hunting, the frogfish will extend the lure out over its mouth and shake it to attract prey.

New Year's Resolution: More Octopuses!

2009-01-01T08:22:00.001+09:00

The Last of '08

2008-12-31T15:53:00.002+09:00

Diane treated us to some great finds at Tasi Tolu today. Although the visability was terrible, she found two seahorses, including a species we hadn't seen before. And it was in only 6 meters of water!

Stonefish Poisoning

2008-12-30T13:58:00.006+09:00

A few days ago I was lying on the sand at Tasi Tolu, mesmerized while photographing a lacy scorpionfish. I generally anchor myself in the sand with a steel pointer and stay a few inches off the bottom. And it's a good thing. I felt something moving under me and raised off the bottom to discover a small stonefish (about 20cm). This brush with danger made me consider what I would have done had I been 'stung' by the dorsal spines of the stonefish...especially given the lack of medical services here in Timor.

So here's a bit of advice from the Wildness Medical Society in Australia.

Proper management of stonefish poisoning involves immediate evaluation and stabilization of the patient. The wounds should be explored and copiously irrigated using sterile techniques. This cleanses the wound area and may remove venom as well as components of the spine, slime, and sand. Any foreign material left in the wound is likely to delay or arrest the healing process. Stonefish venom is heat labile; therefore, hot soaks (115°F/45°C) should be performed for 30 to 90 minutes or until the pain is relieved and does not recur. The wound may be infiltrated with local anesthetic without epinephrine if pain relief is required. Systemic analgesics or narcotics are rarely needed. General wound care should be administered, including antibiotics if indicated. The affected area should be elevated. Antivenom administration should be considered in cases of severe stonefish poisoning. This should be given as soon as possible after the initial sting, preferably within 48 hours.

Let's hope we never have to apply this knowledge, but there's more info if you follow the link to WMS.

Note: Lidocaine, xylocaine, prilocaine and mepivicaine (Isocaine) are common local anesthetics that are available without epinephrine.

Gobies

2008-12-29T11:15:00.001+09:00

A Few Christmas Finds

2008-12-28T09:39:00.001+09:00

Harlequin Shrimp

2008-12-08T18:02:00.001+09:00

Diane found this tiny (~1cm) Harlequin Shrimp this afternoon at Tasi Tolu. Our last sighting of a Harlequin was February 2007!

Ghost Pipefish

2008-11-30T19:56:00.000+09:00

Back to Macro - Back to Sandy Bottom

2008-11-28T16:09:00.004+09:00

Diane, Liz, Marianne, Alan (an honest to goodness tourist!), and I dived Dan's Sandy Bottom this morning and found some terrific macro subjects. Among other creatures, we found this pipehorse and Doto with eggs.

SQUID REDUX

2008-11-23T17:53:00.001+09:00

Squids Galore

2008-11-17T16:12:00.009+09:00

David Dyer and I spent two and a half hours watching at least 100 squids at Bob's Rock on Sunday. It was all a bit overwhelming, so I tried to isolate a pair to observe. The larger male was intent on keeping his smaller female all to himself, oftentimes slipping between her and any potential mate that came close. The final photo below shows the two checking on a clutch of eggs laid inside the staghorn coral. This was definitely a day to remember.