Three Worms for Sister Leslie

These three photos are for our good friend Leslie Harris, aka WormGirl. The first two photos are of a worm (25cm) eating a Dendronephthya soft coral. This worm (actually there were two wrapped around the soft coral) was either so full it couldn't move, dead, or otherwise catatonic.


















This second photo shows a better angle of the 'mouth' of the worm.


















And finally, this is a close-up of the worm that posted a few days ago. Leslie has identified this worm as Alcyonosyllis phili. For those of you who share Leslie's passion for worms, check out the recent description of this worm at: http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/publications/museums/pdf/beagle/beaglev17_p43.pdf

Sunday at Tasi Tolu

Lendell and I had a chilly, but great dive today at Tasi Tolu

White Pipefish

Colorful Worm

Lacy Scorpionfish

We've suspected for some time that these two lacy/weedy scorpionfish were "having a relationship" and now it is apparent the female is, in fact, pregnant. The photos are of the smaller male; he's more decorative and "lacy"

Demon Stinger

We found this Demon Stinger at Tasi Tolu on Tuesday night. This is very good reason to stay off the bottom at TT. There are lots of unknown creatures hidden in the weedy patch. We also spotted two sets of scorpionfish on the dive.

Juvenile Scorpionfish

Emre and I had a nice evening dive at Dili Rock, but Timor divers should be prepared to see the devastating effects of last week's storm. Most of the coral along the ridge above 14 meters has been crushed to rubble. This has happened before though and we are always amazed at how quickly habitats are restored and life returns.

We found this juvenile scorpionfish watching the nightfall on a red fan coral.

Taken this very Morning

Got lucky this morning on a beautiful dive at Dili Rock and found this Whiskered Pipefish. This individual was in the same spot as the WP we found a just last week.

A few other shots...

Bubble Coral Shrimp

This is Vir philippinensis, a shrimp only associated with bubble or grape coral.

Sunday at Dili Rock West

We had our first crystal clear dive in recent memory at Dili Rock West on Sunday. Found this scorpionfish trying to hide in a bunch of soft corals.

Sex

Crenavolva tigris

Found this allied cowry (1 cm) munching on a Gorgonian at Bob's Rock (19 meters).