Best of Mike #427

Do you remember my earlier pixtures of the rockstar from this trip.... the Longmire Frogfish.

He was pretty much the same color and the same texture of what you see here. 

So you can imagine my big double take when I saw this and thought I had found a 2nd frogfish.

But this is, in fact, just a piece of coral. 

Not really fair for me to call it “just a piece of coral” as coral is a living being too.... albeit a lot more common than a frogfish.

Best of Mike #426

This pixture is another case of who's the subject and who's the bonus participant.

I am guessing that my intention was to shoot the baby Smooth Trunkfish at the bottom of the frame.

He's the guy that looks like a small spotted marble.

So that would make the Banded Cleaner Shrimp, clinging to the coral in the top right part of the frame the bonus participant.

Best of Mike #425

Many times when I take a pixture of a Scorpionfish the theme is their massive ability to camouflage themselves.

We regularly find them to be almost indistinguishable from the coral that surrounds them.

But in this case I got to shoot one that was enough in contrast with the background that you can make out, pretty well, the shape of their face.

Best of Mike #424

I am sure that you have seen this pose from a French Angelfish before.... because I know that I have shot it many times.

This seems to be a positional relationship that they often allow between the diver and themselves.

It is one that always catches my attention.... as I think there is just some much detail and character to be seen when they allow this pixture.

Best of Mike #423

A Scrawled Filefish with what I would call a little bit different pattern and coloring.

What we are more used to seeing is the pattern and coloring of the one that you can just make out in the background of the pixture.

Best of Mike #422

A Giant Anemone is something that always catches my eye.... it's coloring and texture make me think of “fresh” every time I see a healthy one.

In this pixture there is an added bonus a Feather Duster Worm. They are not mobile but this one almost looks like he is sneaking under the arms of the Anemone for a little protection.

Best of Mike #421

I am not going to tell you that I have seen all that there is to see underwater.

But we do often swim along for quite a while before we see anything that is pixture worthy. 

Then what catches your eye.... is something familiar a fish, critter or coral but in a pose that is different from what you have seen before.

Such is the case with this pixture of a Lionfish .

Best of Mike #420

 

It's a Bearded Fireworm.

We see them most often with a red coloring.... but they are also known to be shades of yellow, green and brown.

Best of Mike #419

Not a fish but a sight that I see often underwater and always enjoy.... and always enjoy when I do.

My dive buddy, my spotter, my wife, my best friend.... Linda (although) I like to call her Lydia.