Malapascua - island of weng-wengs and thresher sharks

[antacid]

Hi everyone,

Just sharing some pictures from a recent trip to Malapascua. 3 and a half days of diving with Thresher Shark Divers - a competent, organized dive operation with friendly local dive guides.

We were lucky to have exactly 3 and a half days of sunny weather during the diving, but the water wasn't very clear with vis from 5-10m on all dives. So it's mostly macro with the exception of the 10-17 fisheye for the early morning WTF Thresher shark dives at Gonad Shoal.

I think this is the first time i gave my macro lens a good workout with serious shooting opportunities and doing things right (instead of leaving it on focus limit...)

Anyway less talk more pics...

#1 Fish with an attitude

#2 Even more attitude

#3 Thresher cavorts at a distance

#4 Yellow bargibanti?

#5 Monstrous zanzibar shrimp..no cropping needed!

 

[antacid]

#6 A pipefish stalks its microscopic prey

#7 Exploring the use of DOF on tiny creatures

#8 Harleys~! A surprise find in natural conditions

#9 Yes, they were found on a seafan..strange, isn't it?

#10 flatworm puckers up for a kiss

hope you enjoyed them! more photos to come tomorrow...

 

[limwhow]

...

#1 Fish with an attitude

Hello, antacid.
This little fellow is really cool, crooked eye some more...
No wonder you say he has got an attitude.
Good shot!
Thanks for sharing!

 

[DinoSG]

These are :thumbsup: :angel:

 

[Dylan]

bro.. #10 is not a spanish dancer la.. that is a flat worm.

 

[howeikwok]

Good stuff. I like the whip coral shrimp. :thumbsup:

 

[antacid]

bro.. #10 is not a spanish dancer la.. that is a flat worm.

ooops! hehe thanks for the correction...

actually, whats the difference between a flatworm and a spanish dancer? i thought the terms were used inter-changeably...

 

[howeikwok]

ooops! hehe thanks for the correction...

actually, whats the difference between a flatworm and a spanish dancer? i thought the terms were used inter-changeably...

Not really. the spanish dancer is a common name for a particular species of nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=hexasang

Flatworm is totally separate species and it's not even a nudi. ;p

 

[cyrzk]

Wow Cebu,Philippines!..superb set you have sir!love the Harleys!

 

[antacid]

Not really. the spanish dancer is a common name for a particular species of nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=hexasang

Flatworm is totally separate species and it's not even a nudi. ;p

coolness...now i see the difference. to think i've been getting it all wrong!

thanks for clearing this up!

 

[Galdor]

Beautiful series. :thumbsup:
I love #8

 

[antacid]

here's a couple more...


#11 Cleaner shrimp on its leafy perch waiting for its next customer

#12 Xeno crab holding on for dear life

#13 Spider crab? One and only shot. lucky it came out alright

#14 Grasping hands waving in the current

#15 Hot stuff!

Enjoy!

 

[machinehead]

nice shots...was there 2yrs back diving with TSD as well.....kinda of miss the place..

 

[antacid]

nice shots...was there 2yrs back diving with TSD as well.....kinda of miss the place..

thanks! yup it's a nice relaxing place..except it doesn't have power during the day. electricity only comes on after 5pm.

and what's a weng-weng? this is a weng weng. supposedly german, but my german friend says there's no such thing. but he drinks it all the same

rum, whisky, gin, vodka, orange tang powder, pineapple tang powder, crushed ice.

no juices, mixers, or soda water. little wonder we were drunk from 2pm.