Category: 2014

2014, Fish, Portugal Selection, Underwater Pictures from Azores

Mobulas Rays (Mobula tarapacana), Sea Devils or Gentle Giants? – Azores, Portugal

Mobula rays (Mobula tarapacana), Sea devils or gentle giants? - Azores, Portugal

Mobula rays (Mobula tarapacana), Sea devils or gentle giants? – Azores, Portugal.

Mobula rays, cousins of the majestic manta rays, have long been nicknamed “sea devils” by fishermen around the world.

Their impressive silhouette, their two horn-shaped cephalic fins, the stinger at the base of their dorsal fin, and especially their spectacular habit of leaping out of the water, have fueled many fears and legends. Among the most whimsical tales, it was said that mobulas could grab boat anchors with their curled horns to drag vessels into the abyss. Though harmless to humans, they were also accused of trapping pearl divers or freedivers under their immense “cloak” to drown them. These beliefs, born of ignorance and seafaring imagination, contrast today with the fascination inspired by their elegance, their quiet power, and their essential role in the balance of marine ecosystems.

2014, Mainland France Selection, Nature and wildlife

Water drops on a spider web

The life of a raindrop is full of adventure. Its journey will take it to the bottom of the ocean abyss at 11,000 meters below sea level. It will make its way around the world several times until one day it evaporates and climbs the great heights to join the clouds, 9,000 meters in the air.
However the life of a raindrop can also be a life of ongoing patience. Some raindrops wait, frozen in the antarctic ice for over 800,000 years. A raindrop that decides to take aim for a lake will have to wait 17 years before it can once again evaporate; its oceanic cousin will have to wait more than 3,000 years. Once evaporated, the raindrop still has an 8 day journey crossing layers of terrestrial atmosphere before finally rejoining its cloud.

2014, Diving-Paper, Indonesia Paper, Paper, Underwater Pictures from Indonesia

Indonesia: Diving the Raja Ampat Islands

Raja Ampat or “Four Kings” is an archipelago composed by four main islands among some 1500 thousands others Islands.
This indonesian archipelago is situated along the border between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Consequently, the marine species coming from both of these oceans meets in the Raja Ampat. The Raja Ampat displays about 75% of the coral species known all over the world. Raja Ampat is possibly the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world.
Although it is impossible to show all of the Raja Ampat biodiversity in few pictures, the following ones will offer a sample of the colors and the shapes there are encountered in Raja Ampat.

Continue reading“Indonesia: Diving the Raja Ampat Islands”

?>