Diving: Sipadan 2
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.
This octopus was rapidly pulsating between dark brown, blue, and white. I don't think it was happy to see us!
Ceylon Phyllidiella nudibranch. I'm not sure about the classification.
This turtle looks a bit grumpy at being disturbed from his slumber.
There were a lot of Titan Triggerfish around, but they were in a very docile mood.
Devil Scorpionfish. The most evil fish in the sea?
This is a Leaf Scorpionfish, so called because of its appearance and behaviour; it rocks about in the current just like a dead leaf.
I breathe water.
Ringed Pipefish.
Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray hiding under the coral.
Kune's Chromodoris nudibranch. See the mouth just under his wavy skirt.
This tasty looking fellow was about a foot long, hiding under a shipwreck
Painted Frogfish in the red phase. We only saw a few Frogfish on this trip.
Painted Frogfish in the black phase.
Michelle trying to hitch a ride on a turtle.
Another Leaf Scorpionfish. We saw a few colour varieties.
Horned Flathead. So called because of the horns above and hanging over it's eyes.
Giant Mantis Shrimp. Our DM took some squid down and it was interesting to see how they catch prey.
My first hairy octopus. It's full grown at about 6mm across!
Floating on top of a huge school of Bigeye Trevally.
Blackfin Barracuda. Sipadan has some really big schools of fish.
Blackfin BarracudaCaranx ignobilisGiant TrevallySphyraena qenie
Blenny? peek a boo.
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.
A family of Diana's Chromodoris nudibranchs.
A Chamberlain's Nembrotha nudibranch having a munch on some sort of polyp.
A Whitemouth Moray Eel showing us the reason for his name.
There were lots of these at the surface whenever we returned to the boat. Snorkelling around the resort, we did get some little stings.
A Giant Hypselodoris nudibranch surmounting a coral wall.
Big smile from the Fimbriated Moray Eel.
Bubble Coral Shrimp.
A little lobster.
Dwarf Hawkfish standing guard just like a colourful little guard dog.
A crusty little crab (about 4cm).
Reticulated Hingebeak Shrimp escaping the flash.
I was right in the middle of this oncoming school of Bumphead Parrotfish.
Bedford's Flatworm settling down after his swim.
I'm not sure if this Periclemenes Brevicarpalis shrimp has a friendlier common name, but he was in a very photogenic mood.
Michelle sneaking up on a Whitetip Reef Shark. Not always advisable...
Apparently the largest Giant Clam in Sipadan.
Common Lionfish.
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.
Schultz's Pipefish while snorkeling.
A very fanciful crab trying to climb up to our room (yes, this is underwater).
