Critters Wonderlands – AMBON “first part”

Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italiano (Italian)

Many years have passed since then, but I still remember Ambon as one of the most exciting diving experiences in my life. Two trips in six months enabled me to experience the island in two seasons. The first trip was in May in the middle of the rainy season, the second one in November in the dry season. Different climatic conditions, but both trips were characterized by a rich underwater life. An environment with a myriad of subjects to photograph everywhere, so many and so different. It must be clarified immediately that my photos do not do justice to the fantastic biodiversity of Ambon walls and seabed.

This first trip in May was characterized by a fantastic experience with the resort and the diving centre, but a quite unpleasant experience with the weather conditions that strongly influenced the scuba diving. Rain, wind and a lot of suspension have undoubtedly affected the photographic aspect, allowing me more than usual to observe the around environment without the camera. As usual, I dedicated the first moment to setting the photo equipment and deciding whether to postpone the use of macro lens. I found indeed some interesting bigger subjects.

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Dendrochirus brachypterus – “Rino City”

Dendrochirus brachypterus – “Jetty Duck Blue”

Gymnothorax sp. – “Kampung Baru”

Gymnothorax chilospilus – “Kampung Baru”

Antennarius pictus – “Jetty Duck Blue”

Antennarius pictus – “Kampung Baru”

Lysiosquillina lisa – “Laha 1 ½”

Sepia bandensis – “Kampung Baru”

Hapalochlaena lunulata – “Kampung Baru”

Hexabranchus sanguineus – “Laha 1 ½”

Hippocampus sp. – “Kampung Baru”

However, the large amount of mud carried by rivers into the Ambon canal led me to mount the macro.

(click on pics to start, click on “X” to close)

Hymenocera picta – “Laha 1 ½”

Opistognathus variabilis – “Laha 1 ½”

Acentronura breviperula – “Batu Badiri”

Chromodoris lochi – “Pante Nama Wall”

Goniobranchus kuniei – “Kampung Baru”

Mexichromis multituberculata – “Laha 1 ½”

Enneapterygius sp. – “Amahusu”

Rhynchocinetes durbanensis – “Batu Badiri”

Hyastenus bispinosus – “Laha 1 ½”

Considered the time devoted to some subjects than to others, the guide immediately understood my passion and (as it often happens in these parts) he showed his great ability to find the most particular and best at hiding animals.

(click on pics to start, click on “X” to close)

Periclimenes brevicarpalis – “Laha 1”

Vir philippinensis – “Pante Nama Wall”

Zenopontonia rex – “Rino City”

Xenocarcinus tuberculatus – “Rino City”

Xenocarcinus sp. – “Batu Badiri”

Discotrema crinophila – “Amahusu”

Periclimenes colemani – “Kampung Baru”

Allopontonia brockii – “Laha 3”

Periclimenes affinis – “Rino City”

Laomenes sp. – “Air Manis”

Phyllognathia ceratophthalma – “Pante Nama Wall”

In short a wonderful experience, but with the feeling of having seen only a part of what the seabed of Ambon could offer. And this feeling led me to the decision to return to this place.
See you soon for “Ambon second part”. A story through pictures to describe the experience made during the dry season in November.
A little preview:

Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italiano (Italian)