Scuba photos from Utila

[MechEng99]

Beautiful! Love the variety of your shots. May I ask what equipment you used for your photography?

 

[Sloeber]

Nice shots! I don't suppose you were there during whale shark migration, huh...?

I can offer some help with your Caribbean stonies. The coral pictured above is most likely Mycetophyllia lamarkiana - M. aliciae and M. ferox both have more distinct nodes that protrude up between the ridges.

I am sooooo jealous you scored a wire coral shrimp. I have yet to find one of those in the Caribbean.

Keep 'em coming.

Cheers
Mike

Thanks for the ID!

Yeah, it was my first time spotting Wire Coral Shrimp. After I found my first one, I located many many more. On one coral there had to be 6 at least of all sizes from really small to barely visable. The best way I found to locate them was to (obviously) find a Wire Coral, then as you are looking at the top of it run your hand underneath (but don't touch the coral!) and generally you will find the shrimp scurrying out of the way from your hand. They don't run back n forth on the coral... they merely spin or walk around it to avoid your hand. So to avoid your hand they slip right into your view. Easy stuff!



Bill, Not sure what you are asking about RE: actuaries. So I guess the answer is no, I do not remember.

Thanks for the comments. Glad you guys liked the photos.

 

[ousnakebyte]

I do not know what is growing on the tips of the coral, but I'm nearly positive it is not the coral itself. I'm guessing along the lines of a Hydroid. If anyone can ID them please give me a message with the ID. Thanks!

Ahhh... and this one. Yes, I have seen these before. They are indeed hydroids and you only ever see one per tip of the gorgonian, though you can have multiple on each gorgonian.

Creatively enough, they are called "Gorgonian Hydroids." I know, right... How long did it take to come up with that one...?

Way to go finding the little stuff. Everyone is always taken by the big stuff, but when you find those cryptic critters - now that's a natural high... at least, for me anyway - one that will generate an underwater air guitar for a Bill and Ted's "EXCELLENT!"

My compliments.

Cheers
Mike

 

[Sloeber]

Ahhh... and this one. Yes, I have seen these before. They are indeed hydroids and you only ever see one per tip of the gorgonian, though you can have multiple on each gorgonian.

Creatively enough, they are called "Gorgonian Hydroids." I know, right... How long did it take to come up with that one...?

Thanks! From a similar thread I started on www.scubaboard.com I was given the scientific name of Ralpharia gorgoniae - indeed the Gorgonian Hydroid. I'm told they are very common in the Caymans...

Way to go finding the little stuff. Everyone is always taken by the big stuff, but when you find those cryptic critters - now that's a natural high... at least, for me anyway - one that will generate an underwater air guitar for a Bill and Ted's "EXCELLENT!"

My compliments.

Cheers
Mike

Mike.... so true. The 7' nurse shark was a nice find, but it didn't give me that much of a thrill besides, "Oh, that'll be a nice photo." Funny enough, it was the juvenile drum in the photo of the nurse shark that was the real treat for me there. But when I spotted a Wire coral with 6 WCS on it I surfaced thinking, "that was worth the cost of the trip." I also go searching for that little stuff, like a big "Where's Waldo" game underwater. I figure when the large grouper is present I'll see it just by its sheer size.

Thanks for the help on the ID's.

 

[Pdubss]

Nice pictures. I have been on two dive trips to Utilia, it is a great place to dive.

 

[Sloeber]

Indeed it is. Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[thor32766]

Wow the coral seems to be doing very well there! My favorite is the first shot with the frenchie in it! thanks for sharing,