Critters wonderlands – LEMBEH
Questo articolo è disponibile anche in:
Italiano (Italian)
The word “critter” evokes in me a particular way to experience the underwater world. A way made by hours and hours of diving in murky and green waters, keeping eyes on sand, on mud or on small patches of coral. All of this hoping to find “the Subject”.
For a long time talking about muck dives or critters it has only been synonym of Lembeh strait. A crowded channel between the North Sulawesi and the island of Lembeh.
The channel (click on pics to start, click on White background to close)
![<em><strong>Road to the jetty</em></strong> - Bitung La via per l'imbarcadero - Bitung](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6271879.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Embark for Lembeh</em></strong> - Bitung Imbarcadero per Lembeh - Bitung](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6271880.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Channel view</em></strong> - Lembeh Strait Veduta del canale - Stretto di Lembeh](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6241841.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Divers Lodge Lembeh</em></strong> - Lembeh island Divers Lodge Lembeh - Isola di Lembeh](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221774.jpg?w=296&h=197&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Channel view</em></strong> - Lembeh Strait Veduta del canale - Stretto di Lembeh](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_0153.jpg?w=296&h=197&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Fishermen's village</em></strong> - Lembeh island Villaggio di pescatori - Isola di Lembeh](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221788.jpg?w=296&h=197&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Sulawesi coast</em></strong> - Lembeh Strait Costa del Sulawesi - Stretto di Lembeh](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_0158.jpg?w=296&h=197&ssl=1)
Lembeh strait is just in the middle of the Coral Triangle, the area where thanks to the rich upwelling currents, there’s an explosion of life. In my experience Lembeh is exactly this: an explosion of life. Small benthonic life everywhere, along the coasts, on the vulcanic sand, all around the pillars of jetties or in the garbage.
Often the first approach is not the best, expecially if diver is used to big walls in crystal clear water. Anyway really soon, thanks to guides, the diver learns to change horizons concentrating eyes on smaller areas of reef or sand. This change of vision marks the beginning of the show.
Usually the first characters are organisms a bit bigger then the typical critter and they could also have a shape quite familiar. The good guides know that the beginner needs to approach this world slowly.
The larger sizes (click on pics to start, click on White background to close)
![<em><strong>Octopus marginatus</em></strong> - Hairball Octopus marginatus - Hairball](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P5261123.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Antennarius commersoni</em></strong> - Jahir Antennarius commersoni - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6200366.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Dendrochirus zebra</em></strong> - Jahir Dendrochirus zebra - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2855.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Scorpaenopsis oxycephala</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Scorpaenopsis oxycephala - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6231217.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Pterois volitans</em></strong> - Pulau Amandi Pterois volitans - Pulau Amandi](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221097.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Scorpaenopsis papuensis</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Scorpaenopsis papuensis - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6210799.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Scorpaenopsis diabolus</em></strong> - Jahir Scorpaenopsis diabolus - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6200385.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Ablabys macracanthus</em></strong> - Jahir Ablabys macracanthus - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6200411.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Rhinopias eschmeyeri</em></strong> - Air Prang Rhinopias eschmeyeri - Air Prang](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6200587.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Odontodactylus latirostris</em></strong> - Air Prang Odontodactylus latirostris - Air Prang](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2888.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Hippocampus histrix</em></strong> - Tanjung Kubur Hippocampus histrix - Tanjung Kubur](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6241294.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Synchiropus splendidus</em></strong> - DLL House Reef Synchiropus splendidus - DLL House Reef](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6210895.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Lactoria fornasini</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Lactoria fornasini - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6210819.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Upeneus tragula</em></strong> - Air Prang Upeneus tragula - Air Prang](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221141.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Rhopalaea sp.</em></strong> - Jahir Rhopalaea sp. - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2838.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
The nudibranchs arrive in the same moment or immediately after. They are everywhere in Lembeh, but in some dive spots the concentration of this snails is really particular.
The nudibranchs (click on pics to start, click on White background to close)
![<em><strong>Chromodoris strigata</em></strong> - Nudi Retreat Chromodoris strigata - Nudi Retreat](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6251480.jpg?w=453&h=336&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Chromodoris magnifica</em></strong> - Lattuce Surpriz Chromodoris magnifica - Lattuce Surpriz](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221022.jpg?w=453&h=340&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Chromodoris dianae</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Chromodoris dianae - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2977.jpg?w=453&h=301&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Chromodoris annae</em></strong> - Pulau Amandi Chromodoris annae - Pulau Amandi](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221083.jpg?w=739&h=985&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Miamira sinuata</em></strong> - Hairball Miamira sinuata - Hairball](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P5240825.jpg?w=728&h=971&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Hypselodoris tryoni</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Hypselodoris tryoni - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2951.jpg?w=464&h=308&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Gymnodoris impudica</em></strong> - Air Prang Gymnodoris impudica - Air Prang](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2900.jpg?w=464&h=307&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Nembrotha cristata</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Nembrotha cristata - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6210847.jpg?w=464&h=348&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Hexabranchus sanguineus</em></strong> - Jahir Hexabranchus sanguineus - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2866.jpg?w=797&h=528&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Phyllidia ocellata</em></strong> - Jahir Phyllidia ocellata - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2873.jpg?w=395&h=261&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Flabellina exoptata</em></strong> - Air Prang Flabellina exoptata - Air Prang](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_3028.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Phyllodesmium hyalinum</em></strong> - Angel Window Phyllodesmium hyalinum - Angel Window](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P5220439.jpg?w=559&h=419&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Flabellina rubrolineata</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Flabellina rubrolineata - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_3008.jpg?w=633&h=419&ssl=1)
The interest in small and cryptic things gradually grows in diver. Things hidden by corals, between tentacles of anemones, inside crinoids, behind algae and under sand.
The awareness that the guide’s stick is pointing a critter, it is a big step ahed for the biginner.
Tiny and cryptic (click on pics to start, click on White background to close)
![<em><strong>Antennarius maculatus</em></strong> - Angel Window Antennarius maculatus - Angel Window](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6251444.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Metapenaeopsis lamellata</em></strong> - Jahir Metapenaeopsis lamellata - Jahir](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_2882.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Eunice aphroditois</em></strong> - Air Prang Eunice aphroditois - Air Prang](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221139.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Stenopus hispidus</em></strong> - DLL House Reef Stenopus hispidus - DLL House Reef](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6210924.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Thor amboinensis</em></strong> - Serena Island Thor amboinensis - Serena Island](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_3099.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Pleurosicya annandalei</em></strong> - Lattuce Surpriz Pleurosicya annandalei - Lattuce Surpriz](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221028.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Dasycaris zanzibarica</em></strong> - Angel Window Dasycaris zanzibarica - Angel Window](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6251432.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Periclimenes soror</em></strong> - Lattuce Surpriz Periclimenes soror - Lattuce Surpriz](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221036.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Periclimenes amboinensis</em></strong> - Nudi Falls Periclimenes amboinensis - Nudi Falls](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6210780.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Periclimenes imperator</em></strong> - Lattuce Surpriz Periclimenes imperator - Lattuce Surpriz](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221043.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Periclimenes sp.</em></strong> - Serena Island Periclimenes sp. - Serena Island](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC_3046.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Porcellanella triloba</em></strong> - Air Prang Porcellanella triloba - Air Prang](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6221160.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Hippocampus bargibanti</em></strong> - Magic Rock Hippocampus bargibanti - Magic Rock](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6251517.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Hippocampus denise - Magic Rock](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6210648.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
![<em><strong>Hippocampus pontohi</em></strong> - Magic Rock Hippocampus pontohi - Magic Rock](https://i0.wp.com/www.marcoboncompagni.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P6261629.jpg?w=396&h=396&crop=1&ssl=1)
Places like Lembeh are wonderlands for me, CRITTERS WONDERLANDS !
Questo articolo è disponibile anche in:
Italiano (Italian)