(Dive Map For Today: Resort=Red, Dive Sites=Yellow)
I was introduced to a new world of diving. We went to an area called the Dampier Straight, and I was wowed by the dives. We left the resort at 8:15 and it was rough, but as we got away the water died down and we had beautifully calm water. We all expected there to be some rough spots, but it was beautiful the whole ride around. It took us about an hour to get out to the Straight, but it was well worth it. We took with us a picnic lunch, and stayed out the whole day. Nikson, the best dive guide in the area got back today, and it is a pleasure diving with him, he is extremely knowledgable on the area, and where certain fish like to hide. Our first dive was at a spot called Sardines, a deep and very lively spot. It was beautifully clear and full of life. It was an amazing dive, I am awestruck, the current was pushing through, but that brings the fish in. When we got to the reef, Leon showed me how to keep stationary using a reef hook to keep myself in place, another first for me.
(Me Flying On My Reef Hook)
We hopped into the water and quickly dropped down to around 60 feet, and looking up to the surface, the number of fish that were circling above me was amazing. They were everywhere like colourful clouds dancing in the water. Fish of all shapes, colours, and sizes were hidden in overhangs, the specific group that caught my eye was a bunch of little yellow snappers hidden under a coral head. They were beautifully coloured yellow fish with blue stripes, making for great subjects in my shots.
(Yellow Snappers)
The coral was absolutely magnificent, very colourful and undoubtably alive. I have become far more selective in the number of shots I take, and definitely get more good shots each day than I did before, my lessons are starting to take effect, and I am very happy with the results. I got a great shot of Leon peaking through a magnificent coral window, the colours are so vibrant. We stayed down for 40 minutes, and the entire time I was mesmerised by the spot. I have been told that it is one of the best spots in the Raja Ampat.
(Leon In a Coral "window")
After the first dive, we went to a large uninhabited island, with absolutely beautiful beaches on it, and had our surface interval, and a coffee break. We had an amazing beach all to ourselves with amazingly tall coconut trees on it. Our second dive was at a spot called Mike's Point, a beautiful reef located around a small island, or large rock depending on how you look at it. This was a cool spot, we hopped into the water and went down to 50 feet, while the others hung around at the beginning of the dive, Leon and I quickly went to fly trough some overhangs, where when the current is right sweet lip snappers congregate, but we missed the current, so we didn't linger before going to the main body of the reef. Right as we came out of the overhangs and over the ledge I accidentally made a discovery, a bit like Christopher Columbus and the Bahamas. I was getting into position to take a shot of a beautiful sea fan, and right where I was about to place my right hand up came a spike. I almost fell prey to a scorpion fish perfectly camouflaged with the rock. Leon started him a bit, and he bolted forward about a foot, turning bright red, giving me an amazing shot.
(Scorpion Fish after being startled)
We proceeded onto the main body of the reef, right near the island in the shallows. It was stunning, one of the most amazing reefs I have ever seen. We arrived to what seemed a bit like an underwater metropolis, tons of different species living together, and all going somewhere amongst the massive skyscraper like reef. The first fish to greet us were bat fish, coming within inches of Leon and me, dancing around in the. Light rays penetrating the surface. We both hovered around them firing off shot after shot of the very patient and compliant subjects.
For the first time since I have been in Raja Ampat, I could not have cared less about clownfish, I swam past dozens of them, but there was so much more to shoot. At Mike's point I saw one of the creatures I had on my list of things I wanted to see: a sea snake. I followed around what I later found out is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, but it didn't care. I followed it to the surface as it went up for breath, and went back down firing off at least 20 shots of it to make sure I got some with it in good positions and with good light. I am pleased to say that I succeeded in getting quite a few shots of my holy grail today. I have to admit that it was hard following around the snake, it is so nimble and thin it can get into the smallest of spaces, but it was well worth it. Mike's Point was an amazing dive, one that I will most certainly repeat.
(Sea Snake At The Surface for a Breath)
After the second dive we went to Mios Kon: a small island for lunch. We had rice, chicken, fish and salad all while sitting on a beautiful and quiet beach. Our third dive was on a reef bordering the island, and though not as awe inspiring as the other two dives, it was still very cool. The reef was taming with yellow snappers, they were in big groups and absolutely everywhere. It took me a while t get a usable shot as the silver on their sides rebounds the lights from the strobes resulting in overexposure of several areas.
(Big School Of Yellow Snappers at Mios Kon)
The reef is also speckled with cleaning stations, which make for cool shooting opportunities as bigger fish all gayer around and wait for the little fish to clean them up. One shot in particular I got was of a Titan triggerfish being cleaned under some coral. Leon and Claudia call these fish "Chunky", because while on a dive at Yembraimuk, Claudia was attacked by one. The fish struck Claudia in the head many times, ripped off her mask, and took a chunk out of her head. They can be quite aggressive, fortunately I have yet to see this, but I find myself a bit intrigued by the idea of it.
(Titan Trigger Fish Being Cleaned)
(Cleaning Station)
At the very end of the reef, and our dive, we came onto a giant clam, absolutely massive. It was covered in growth on the outside, and purple with blue spots on the inside. The interesting thing about giant clams is that when they reach a large enough size, they become incapable of closing, leaving them completely exposed. They make good photo subjects, as they are immobile, and as they cannot close, you can get good detail shots of their muscle. Unfortunately I didn't have a macro lens, so I took some wide angle shots of it, with Leon above for perspective.
(Giant Clam)
(Leon And The Giant Clam) The ride back from the dive sites was so smooth for the most part that i fell asleep on the bow of the boat, giving the Papuan boat crew great amusement, i was woken when we were about 15 minutes away when it got a little bumpy. I have to admit that today was by far the best dive day I have had here thus far, absolutely amazing, and very exciting. I wish the reefs in The Bahamas were still in good condition, it really makes the dives more enjoyable and photogenic. It is incredible the variety of corals here, and the vast array of colours and shapes they portray. I hope everyone had as good a day as I did, but for now I bid you all adieu, as I am off to bed.
(Two Shots Of Coral I Liked)
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