Our second dive involved an exploration of McDonald's Cave (or Jimmy's cave). It owes its name to its twin arch shape, not unlike the famous Golden Arches. But no Big Macs were found here. And the only fries available are of the anchovie type.
It's situated in the reef around Koh Ha Yai, another of the Koh Ha islands. It was an easy dive, not too deep and lots of macro-life to observe and snap pics of. Time to put my new u/w strobes to the test!
Another nudibranch I have never seen before. Isn't it beautiful? It also has a very beautiful name: Halgerda carlsoni. I just read that nudis taste terrible, so they don't get eaten very much by fish and other predators. One bite is enough to turn off their apetites. No, I didn't taste it.
Another type of cleaner shrimp, this almost invisible little bugger resides deep in a sea anemone. It employs a symbiotic relationship with the anemone, in return for its laundry services, the shrimp is protected from hungry fishes looking for a quick bite.
Asther, do u think I set the strobe too bright? Or wrong angle? But I kinda like the contrasting effect with the dark blue background. What do you think?
Phyllidia varicosa's the name and it was a huge one, by nudi standards. At least 6 cm. Yeah, I know, the strobe's a bit off centred. Oh well....
This is one of our Thai divemasters, Nun. Or was it King. Or.... my apologies, I kinda forgot his name. Anyway, this pic was taken as we were diving in the crevice surrounding the cave of fast food. Not easy to manouver and it was essential that we got our buoyancy under control to avoid hitting the walls or worst, the coral reef. UPDATE: He's Nim. And Asther's totally crazy bout him..... had he been bigger sized. Asther, jangan mare ye? ;-)
Believe it or not, this is a worm. Sea worms burrow into the rock, secrete tubes into which they live in. The apparatus you see is part of their filter feeding system. This thin flimsy formation traps microscopic food particles which it then channels into its mouth at its base.
Erm... Chromodoris lochi? UPDATE: it's a Phyllidiopsis striata, Asther thinks. Hehehe.
No, its not King Neptune's handphone. It's a live sea shell, I think it's called a Murex shell. Would have made a great house deco item.... had it's occupant been dead or abandoned it.
Ok. As usual, Asther, Chris, Yanni, anyone who spots any mistakes I've made, please let me know. Your contribution is very much appreciated.
7 comments:
Hello! Thanx for blogging per dive. I've forgotten the dive sites we dived on the last day, so will use your blog as a reference. ;P
Regarding the strobe issue, in that pic, it's a little bit over-exposed around d corals. To avoid that & also to avoid less back-scatters, position your strobe further away from ur camera, mayb about an arm's length. U'll definitely see a better result, yet keep the nice blue background as contrast. ;)
Regarding the nudi... It's not a Chromodoris lochi. It's most probably a Phyllidiopsis striata.
Your DM... isn't his name Nim? Donolar... but he's kinda cute. ;P Just a little too small sized for me. Hehehe...
Asther:
Re: the strobe issue, will try out your suggestion next dive trip. But the strobe arm not so long like my arm woh.... only can go about a foot from the camera tops. How leh?
Re: the nudi, thanks again for the info. BTW, where do you get the reference from? Can pinjam ah?
Re: the DM:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
and HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
;-)
Hehehe... I'm using Neville Coleman's 1001 nudi book, ler. Wana buy? I still got 2 copies left. ;) Email me if u want them & I'll try to send to u fast.
Wah, got until 1001 species ah? how to find and photograph all of em? hehehe
I want I want I want.
:-)
Rick dear
The DM is in our Group C....his name is Nim....
Yup kinda cute huh???hehehe ....
At least NOW he can speak SOME english. He has been helping me out in the dive operations on the boat since last season....and of course more trips to come.....
BTW he has another twin brother but with long hair whom is also a DM. His name is Nan.
They both play well on the guitar and sing as well...but mostly Thai songs lah...
hehehe.....
Hugs always ....
Yanni - Borneo Turtle
Greek and Latin to me but great pictures bro :D
U want d book, ar? Hmmm... need your address so I can mail to you, lar.
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