Posts tagged Thomas Ozanne
Duvet Day...
20100712-DSC_1494.jpg

Off the North East coast of the Indonesian island of Sumbawa is a volcanic island called Sangeang Api. On the east coast of this island is a dive site known as Bubble Reef. Named as such because of the volcanic gasses that percolate through the black sand in the shallows.

On this site there is a rocky outcrop and nestled among the rocks in about 7m of water is a colony of Bubble Anemones. This particularly colony is bright neon pink and blue in colour, due to bleaching. And as we all know clown fish find their homes and protection among the tentacles of these Anemoe.

So, here in this shot, is a Clarks Anemone fish talking shelter from the bloody photographer who eye was caught by the amazing colour of the Ameone.

Manta Train at Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Manta  train (Mobula alfredi) at Manta Point, Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia (Ref: 20160528-AWD_4810.jpg)

Perhaps the most famous and easily accessible Manta Encounter in the world. Nusa Penida is an island just to the east of Bali and at the base of the steep south coast cliffs that are pounded relentlessly by Indian ocean swells is a place known as Manta Point.

Just below the surface is a cleaning station that is almost always host to Reef Mantas (Mobula alfredi) coming in for some pampering. They can often be seen forming trains (as in the image above), taking it in turns to slow down and hover above the rocks and allow the small reef fish to nibble away at dead skin and parasites. After their turn they will loop back around and come in again and again.

This population has been well studied and tracking data has revealed that they are making a journey of more than 400km east to Komodo and back again.