Aloha. This is another in a long series of distraction diaries meant as a reminder that we share the planet with some amazing creatures. I hope you enjoy your visit here.
Oahu Sunset
The Descent
Yellowmargin Moray Gymnothorax flavimarginatus
The extreme isolation of the Hawaiian islands has resulted in a native biota that is very high on endemism but relatively low on diversity. In other words there are many species that evolved and are only found here but there are a low number of species overall. The unique and somewhat impoverished ecology that made it very vulnerable to disruption by invasive species.
Eels are more common in Hawaii than other Indo-Pacific islands possibly due to the lack of competition from native groupers and snappers that are not found here. Eels have a very long larval stage which probably explains how so many species found there way to this isolated volcanic outpost.
Whitemouth Moray Gymnothorax melagris
Probably the most commonly seen eel on Hawaiian reefs.
Yellowtail Coris Coris gainard
Another group of fishes with a long larval stage well represented in Hawaii are the wrasses, represented here by one of my favorites. This is an adult female.
This photo from last weekend shows a juvenile yellowtail coris (the orange and white fish on the bottom).
How about another shot of the same female captured above? These are my first decent shots of this spectacular fish.
Whitetip Reef Shark Triaenodon obesus
Not all sharks need to swim constantly to breathe. Whitetips are often found resting in caves during the day.
Green Turtle Chelonia mydas
Another creature you find resting in caves is the noble Honu. I disturbed this handsome reptile with the double flash of my strobes. He seemed unconcerned.
Arc-eye Hawkfish Paracirrhites arcatus
These common reef fish are always associated with either cauliflower (shown here) or antler coral.
Redbarred Hawkfish Cirrhitops fasciatus
Another common reef fish. The hawkfish habit of sitting on the bottom waiting for prey make them easy photographic subjects. I love the colors on the tail of this fish.
Blackside Hawkfish Paracirrhites forsteri
As long as we are on hawkfish here is another good poser, in profile.
Sea Star Shrimp Periclimenes soros on a Cushion Star Culcita novaeguineae
Let's get small. One of my dive buddies picked up this cushion star and called me over to see this tiny little shrimp that lives on the surface of this and few other species of starfish.
A closer look. You can barely see its translucent pincers.
The wreck known as "The Mahi". It is an old minesweeper and cable layer that was sunk as an artificial reef in the 70's.
Spotted Eagle Ray Aetobatus narinari
The Hawaiian word for this creature, Hihimanu, means "lavish", "elegant", "magnificent". They got it right.
Kahuna Nudibranch Thorunna kahuna
The two "antlers" on the left are rhinophores (sensory organs) and the structures on the back end are gills.
Gold Lace Nudibranch Halgerda terramtuentis
The scientific name means "looking at the earth with care" in honor of the Earthwatch program that funded the researchers, Bertsch and Johnson, who named it.
Day Octopus Octopus cyanea
I just love these amazing creatures. This was a very large one hunkered down in a hole. I could have spent my entire tank waiting for it to come out but my dive buddies moved on.
The distinctive rectangular eye.
Ok.. you came here for BOOBIES?
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
You wanted a pair of them? Ok....
Yes I once again resorted to the old Booby Bait and Switch. Do I feel bad?
Should I?
Feel free to post your photos and to treat this as a community diary. And most important of all, please be good humans.
If you really didn't like the bait and switch or find something else offensive about this diary I refer you to the Complaint Department....