Critters Wonderlands – AMBON “second part”

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After the photographic story of the “May experience”, during the wet season, here we are with the story of the second trip in November in the dry season.
From the beginning the feeling was different, magnificent sun and clouds, not drop of rain; calm sea and clear water. A beautiful atmosphere on the land and fantastic conditions for underwater photography. If I were looking for a flaw, I would say that I risked getting gills on my neck, because of the time spent diving.

The usual warm-up phase with the most popular subjects, but using macro lens immediately. I was eager to start again with the “small and hidden” critters as I did in May.

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Amphiprion sp. – “Laha 1 ½”

Hippocampus alatus – “Laha 3”

Odontodactylus scyllarus – “Pante Nama Slope”

Gymnothorax favagineus – “Laha 3”

Sepia bandensis – “Talaky”

Sepia latimanus – “Talaky”

Sepia bandensis – “Talaky”

Opistognathus variabilis – “Laha 3”

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides – “Hamahusu”

Taenionotus triacanthus – “Laha 1 ½”

Wunderpus photogenicus – “Laha 3”

The guide started searching while I was busy taking pictures of some nudibranchs…

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Goniobranchus leopardus – “Talaky”

Goniobranchus verrieri – “Pante Nama Slope”

Hypselodoris infucata – “Laha 1 ½”

Hypselodoris tryoni – “Laha 3”

Janolus spp. – “Jetty Dak Blue”

Mexichromis multituberculata – “Laha 3”

Tambja spp. – “Jetty Dak Blue”

…and the challenge with the “small and hidden” subjects began.

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Allogalathea elegans – “Laha 3”

Ancylomenes holthuisi – “Talaky”

Ancylomenes magnificus – “Rino City”

Brachaluteres spp. – “Pante Nama Slope”

Bryaninops amplus – “Rino City”

Dasycaris zanzibarica – “Laha 3”

Periclimenes colemani – “Rino City”

Periclimenes colemani – “Laha 1 ½”

Pleurosicya micheli – “Rino City”

Pseudobiceros gloriosus – “Pante Nama Slope”

Xenocarcinus tuberculatus – “Rino City”

Zenopontonia rex – “Air Manis”

When the (fantastic) guide realized that I was almost “stuffed”, he showed me that there was much more to see and photograph…

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Antennarius maculatus – “Pante Nama Slope”

Antennarius striatus – “Pante Nama Slope”

Histrio histrio – “Air Manis”

Rhinomuraena quaesita – “Hamahusu”

Solenostomus paradoxus – “Batu Badiri”

Solenostomus paradoxus – “Laha 3”

Synchiropus splendidus – “Laha 1”

Rhinopias frondosa – “Laha 3”

Rhinopias frondosa – “Pante Nama Slope”

Rhinopias eschmeyeri – “Rino City”

…it was time for the fireworks to top off the perfect holiday…

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Saron spp. – “Air Manis”

Saron spp. – “Hamahusu”

Saron spp. – “Air Manis”

Paragobiodon echinocephalus – “Air Manis”

…and then I decided to mount the fisheye on the last day.

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– “Hamahusu”

– “Air Manis Jetty”

Many years have passed, but Ambon is still one of the most important places I visited. I don’t know if Maluku Divers Resort is still open, but I want to thank all the staff who worked there. This experience was so pleasant not only to the richness of underwater life, but also for the people I met there. They provided an excellent customer service both on land and into the water. A big virtual hug to Lili, brilliant director of Maluku, but above all a wonderful person.