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Diving: Sipadan 2

15 May 2011
Michelle's first trip to the stunning Kapalai dive resort ( http://www.sipadan-kapalai.com). And my first ever Hairy Octopus, which was rather exciting. Sadly, visibility was not outstanding on this trip, but the diversity of life makes up for it.
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  • This octopus was rapidly pulsating between dark brown, blue, and white. I don't think it was happy to see us!

    This octopus was rapidly pulsating between dark brown, blue, and white. I don't think it was happy to see us!

    Octopus

  • Ceylon Phyllidiella nudibranch. I'm not sure about the classification.

    Ceylon Phyllidiella nudibranch. I'm not sure about the classification.

    Ceylon PhyllidiellaNudibranchPhyllidiella zeylanica

  • This turtle looks a bit grumpy at being disturbed from his slumber.

    This turtle looks a bit grumpy at being disturbed from his slumber.

    Turtle

  • There were a lot of Titan Triggerfish around, but they were in a very docile mood.

    There were a lot of Titan Triggerfish around, but they were in a very docile mood.

    Balistoides viridescensTitan Triggerfish

  • Devil Scorpionfish. The most evil fish in the sea?

    Devil Scorpionfish. The most evil fish in the sea?

    Devil ScorpionfishScorpaenopsis diabolus

  • This is a Leaf Scorpionfish, so called because of its appearance and behaviour; it rocks about in the current just like a dead leaf.

    This is a Leaf Scorpionfish, so called because of its appearance and behaviour; it rocks about in the current just like a dead leaf.

    Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus

  • I breathe water.

    I breathe water.

    Rai

  • Ringed Pipefish.

    Ringed Pipefish.

    Dunckerocampus dactyliophorusRinged Pipefish

  • Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray hiding under the coral.

    Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray hiding under the coral.

    Bluespotted Ribbontail RayTaeniura lymma

  • Kune's Chromodoris nudibranch. See the mouth just under his wavy skirt.

    Kune's Chromodoris nudibranch. See the mouth just under his wavy skirt.

    Chromodoris kuneiKune's ChromodorisNudibranch

  • This tasty looking fellow was about a foot long, hiding under a shipwreck

    This tasty looking fellow was about a foot long, hiding under a shipwreck

    Lobster

  • Painted Frogfish in the red phase. We only saw a few Frogfish on this trip.

    Painted Frogfish in the red phase. We only saw a few Frogfish on this trip.

    Antennarius pictusPainted Frogfish

  • Painted Frogfish in the black phase.

    Painted Frogfish in the black phase.

    Antennarius pictusPainted Frogfish

  • Michelle trying to hitch a ride on a turtle.

    Michelle trying to hitch a ride on a turtle.

    Echeneis naucratesMichelleSharksuckerTurtle

  • Another Leaf Scorpionfish. We saw a few colour varieties.

    Another Leaf Scorpionfish. We saw a few colour varieties.

    Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus

  • Our group; John, Raymond, Jaslyn, Jill, Pelly, Michelle, Me

    Our group; John, Raymond, Jaslyn, Jill, Pelly, Michelle, Me

    JaslynJillJohnMichellePellyRaiRaymondSunset

  • Horned Flathead. So called because of the horns above and hanging over it's eyes.

    Horned Flathead. So called because of the horns above and hanging over it's eyes.

    Horned FlatheadThysanophrys carbunculus

  • Giant Mantis Shrimp. Our DM took some squid down and it was interesting to see how they catch prey.

    Giant Mantis Shrimp. Our DM took some squid down and it was interesting to see how they catch prey.

    Giant Mantis Shrimp

  • My first hairy octopus. It's full grown at about 6mm across!

    My first hairy octopus. It's full grown at about 6mm across!

    Hairy Octopus

  • Floating on top of a huge school of Bigeye Trevally.

    Floating on top of a huge school of Bigeye Trevally.

    Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus

  • Blackfin Barracuda. Sipadan has some really big schools of fish.

    Blackfin Barracuda. Sipadan has some really big schools of fish.

    Blackfin BarracudaCaranx ignobilisGiant TrevallySphyraena qenie

  • Face to face turtle encounter. I almost drowned putting my mask and reg back on! Must remember not to breathe through the nose...

    Face to face turtle encounter. I almost drowned putting my mask and reg back on! Must remember not to breathe through the nose...

    RaiTurtle

  • Blenny? peek a boo.

    Blenny? peek a boo.

    Blenny

  • This Pygmy Seahorse was less than 1cm tall and quite camera shy so getting a decent picture was quite challenging, especially with the NDL rapidly ticking away at 29m.

    This Pygmy Seahorse was less than 1cm tall and quite camera shy so getting a decent picture was quite challenging, especially with the NDL rapidly ticking away at 29m.

    Hippocampus bargibantiPygmy Seahorse

  • A family of Diana's Chromodoris nudibranchs.

    A family of Diana's Chromodoris nudibranchs.

    Chromodoris dianaeDiana's ChromodorisNudibranch

  • A Chamberlain's Nembrotha nudibranch having a munch on some sort of polyp.

    A Chamberlain's Nembrotha nudibranch having a munch on some sort of polyp.

    Chamberlain's NembrothaNembrotha chamberlainiNudibranch

  • A Whitemouth Moray Eel showing us the reason for his name.

    A Whitemouth Moray Eel showing us the reason for his name.

    Gymnothorax meleagrisWhitemouth Moray Eel

  • There were lots of these at the surface whenever we returned to the boat. Snorkelling around the resort, we did get some little stings.

    There were lots of these at the surface whenever we returned to the boat. Snorkelling around the resort, we did get some little stings.

    Jellyfish

  • A Giant Hypselodoris nudibranch surmounting a coral wall.

    A Giant Hypselodoris nudibranch surmounting a coral wall.

    Giant HypselodorisHypselodoris apolegmaNudibranch

  • Big smile from the Fimbriated Moray Eel.

    Big smile from the Fimbriated Moray Eel.

    Fimbriated Moray EelGymnothorax fimbriatus

  • Bubble Coral Shrimp.

    Bubble Coral Shrimp.

    Bubble Coral Shrimp

  • A little lobster.

    A little lobster.

    Lobster

  • Dwarf Hawkfish standing guard just like a colourful little guard dog.

    Dwarf Hawkfish standing guard just like a colourful little guard dog.

    Cirrhitichthys falcoDwarf Hawkfish

  • A crusty little crab (about 4cm).

    A crusty little crab (about 4cm).

    Crab

  • Reticulated Hingebeak Shrimp escaping the flash.

    Reticulated Hingebeak Shrimp escaping the flash.

    Reticulated HingeBeak Shrimp

  • I was right in the middle of this oncoming school of Bumphead Parrotfish.

    I was right in the middle of this oncoming school of Bumphead Parrotfish.

    Bolbometopon muricatumBumphead Parrotfish

  • Bedford's Flatworm settling down after his swim.

    Bedford's Flatworm settling down after his swim.

    Bedford's Flatworm

  • I'm not sure if this Periclemenes Brevicarpalis shrimp has a friendlier common name, but he was in a very photogenic mood.

    I'm not sure if this Periclemenes Brevicarpalis shrimp has a friendlier common name, but he was in a very photogenic mood.

    Periclemenes brevicarpalisShrimp

  • Michelle sneaking up on a Whitetip Reef Shark. Not always advisable...

    Michelle sneaking up on a Whitetip Reef Shark. Not always advisable...

    MichelleTriaenodon obesusWhitetip Reef Shark

  • Apparently the largest Giant Clam in Sipadan.

    Apparently the largest Giant Clam in Sipadan.

    Giant ClamMichelle

  • Common Lionfish.

    Common Lionfish.

    Common LionfishPterois volitans

  • After diving, one must stay at sea level for 24 hours before flying, so on our last day we went snorkeling for a couple of hours. There was a multitude of life just swimming around underneath our rooms, including this Dusky Nembrotha nudibranch.

    After diving, one must stay at sea level for 24 hours before flying, so on our last day we went snorkeling for a couple of hours. There was a multitude of life just swimming around underneath our rooms, including this Dusky Nembrotha nudibranch.

    Dusky NembrothaNembrotha kubaryanaNudibranch

  • Schultz's Pipefish while snorkeling.

    Schultz's Pipefish while snorkeling.

    Corythoichthys schultziSchultz's Pipefish

  • A very fanciful crab trying to climb up to our room (yes, this is underwater).

    A very fanciful crab trying to climb up to our room (yes, this is underwater).

    Crab

  • See the big smile on my face? Yes, I really am the luckiest husband.

    See the big smile on my face? Yes, I really am the luckiest husband.

    MichelleRaiSunset

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