Aloha! This is another in a series of distraction diaries meant to provide a brief diversion from the struggles of the day. I also hope to provide a reminder that we share this small rock with all manner of amazing creatures. This morning I went diving off of Honolulu and these photos are a result. I hope you enjoy them at least a fraction as much as I enjoyed taking them.
The first dive was on a wreck called the Sea Tiger. It was intentionally sunk in 125 feet of water and the deck is at about 100 feet.
Whitemouth Moray
Whitemouth Moray
Sea Tiger and Frogfish You can see a frogfish framed by the railing swimming away, right to left.
Frogfish It is swimming away from the camera unfortunately. These are very well camouflaged ambush hunters.
Frogfish This is another specimen. As you can see the color varies widely. The problem with taking photos of them is that they are so well camouflaged they don't look like anything. This one facing directly at the camera and is tilted to the right. If you look closely you can see its down turned mouth and two eyes.
Frogfish Closeup of its face. This time it is tilting to the left.
Clearfin Lizardfish
Clearfin Lizardfish
These fish are also camouflaged ambush hunters.
Shortsnout Scorpionfish
As long as we are looking at camouflaged ambush hunters I will add a couple of scorpionfish. Both this species and the following one have venomous dorsal spines.
Devil Scorpionfish
Mantis Shrimp Can you see its two big compound eyes?
Yellowmargin Moray
Christmas Tree Worm in Honeycomb Coral
Octopus I am not a fan of octopus wrangling but a divemaster on this commercial dive trip pulled this one from a hole. At least it was not taken home for dinner.
Octopus Look into my (rectangular) eye!
Octopus
Octopus They are truly amazing and intelligent (for invertebrates) creatures.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit. Please feel free to post your photos and, as always, be good humans.
UPDATE
Thanks so much for putting this simple photo diary on the rec list. I am humbled.