Although i did not get to do as many dives as i would have liked, every dive was packed full of creatures, thanks to my Dive Guide, Don-don. I would have seen nothing without him! Some of the creatures i've seen before; some i'd seen very briefly before they vanished; some i'd never seen; and some i've never heard of ! Each dive was exciting.
I always struggle with how to organize and where to start.
It’s fun to go to different places, because they all seem to have their own ‘specialties’. For instance, the Blue Ringed Octopus, which is so rare to see in Dauin; seems to be abundant here. We saw 4 of them! So i had a chance to get a few better photos.
and a short video. It's funny how they look like they are walking and skipping !
You Tube: https://youtu.be/y4UuixPvt-w
Here's a Fun Fact: The Blue-Ringed Octopus is considered to be one of the most venomous animals known; the venom of one is enough to kill ten grown men. It uses the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, which quickly causes respiratory arrest.
The Blue Ringed Octopus isn't the only Octopus that is abundant here. The WonderPus Octopus seems to be everywhere! I saw one of these on a night dive last year, but i had a front row seats several times this year! The Wonderpus Octopus was discovered by scientists in 2006 according to what i found, so there isn't much known about them.
Their white and rusty-brown markings remain constant. They do not change colors, nor mimic other species; like other Octopus do. And they don't really look like you regularly see an Octopus. They have rather long skinny arms. The length of the Wonderpus octopus is usually 6-10", and a group is now trying to determine if they can be identified by their white spot patterns. Also notice this one has lost a few 'arms', and they are starting to grow back.
They live in burrows in the sand, in open areas, without much 'cover' to hide. We were looking at one, and Don pointed to my right ... after awhile i was able to focus on this one poking his head out of his hole, investigating us, staring right at us. It never moved !
They emerge slowly out of their burrow to hunt for small crustaceans, such as shrimp. They only forage for about 15min, then descend back into their dens. We saw this one doing just that.
You Tube:
My Guide Don-don found these two mating, so they weren't going anywhere soon; and we got to watch them for a long time. This looks like a crazy mess of arms.
You can see the male on the back better here.
Another Fun Fact: Octopus have 'arms' not 'tentacles'. The difference? 'Arms' have suckers all the way down. "Tentacles' have suckers only at the ends.
So what about the Octopus' 'cousin', the CuttleFish? CuttleFish have 8 arms, or (6 legs and 2 arms), and 2 tentacles. Here is a BroadClub CuttleFish, they can grow up to 22 pounds, this one was not that large
Can you count them ?
They can change both their color and texture of their skin to match their surroundings.
Here is an Emperor Shrimp, usually found on a Sea Cucumber. i learned this and found this one myself. They are large enough for me to see, about 3/4"
I've been trying to figure out the difference between a Sea Hare and a Nudibranch. I've read a lot and the more i read the more confused i get. This was the only statement i could understand:
All nudibranchs are sea slugs, ....not all sea slugs are nudibranchs
Sea Hares might be my new favorite .. not very colorful; but very interesting !
I also spent a lot of time trying to identify which Sea Hares these are. And i can't tell. But we saw several different kinds.
There were hundreds of this kind ...all gathering and climbing all over each other. Maybe Mating? Don-don said that this time of the year there is a kind of algae prevalent; and they see more of them at this time.
i found this one, i'm pretty sure it is a Indian SeaHare, Aplysia oculifera. The dark rings or "eye-spots" which give the species the name oculifera which literally means "eye carrier"
This is the prettiest one in my opinion..... the nice colors, and again, the eyes !
i met a few new Nudibranchs in Camiguin. I am quite proud of this one. I found it myself, and Don-Don said he has only seen it once before. Micromelo undata, or The Backpacker. I assume because of that little square on it's back, which is a shell. The animal beginning to assert itself over the shell which is becoming much thinner and less important as a protective organ. The beauty of a living Micromelo is a never-to-be-forgotten sight. I would agree !
I've never seen nor heard of this one either. Antonietta, but she sure is pretty !
This one might be a Elysia, but again, i gave up. I think that is his eye there.... This one might also be a Sea Hare.
Precious Chromodoris
Bumpy Mexichromis
two this time ...
Colorful Hypselodoris
Goniobranchus aureopurpureus - yeah whatever ...
If you are interested in knowing how a Nudibranch moves. Watch this:
Don-don also pointed out several Melibe's ... but they are really difficult to see, they are like filament or algae. I'll say the same thing about these Melibe's that i said about the Sea Hares. Tried and tried to decipher who was what .. but gave up
They all looked translucent, like you could see their insides.
We saw 3 different kinds. All sway, seemingly uncontrollably
Melibe digitata can be distiguished by its highly ramified cerata. The body is golden greenish to brownish, probably a sign of the presence of zooxanthellae.
Another prize is this Macroschisma cuspidatum, great first name, huh? I had to go to the experts on this one. I guess it is a Snail. The pink area is actually a shell.
This is a true story. I was concentrating so hard on taking a photo of this baby LionFish; that i didn't even notice the beautiful Nudi right behind it!!!!!!!!! I would have much rather had a photo of that Nudi. Is that called 'tunnel vision' ?
Another Nudi? Nope. I found it myself, it was tiny, i was proud. But, it is a baby Sea Cucumber !
Spotted Porcelain Crab
I know i've shown a photo of a little FrogFish before ...but here is another one ... so small and so cute ! I just can't resist
This is a video of a little Anemone Shrimp, which i have seen many times.
I'm watching them, and all of a sudden they took to the air, and started twisting, turning, and 'jiving'. When i asked the guys what was going on they said, 'oh, we call them the Dancing Queens' :) Feel free to sing along! Here's the video ! They were so cute !
I showed you a photo of a Ringed PipeFish from Dauin, this one is an Orange Banded PipeFish, he's even more colorful
And then there are the Ghost PipeFishes; which are also abundant in the Camiguin waters, so many i lost count. This is the Robust Ghost PipeFish that sways with the grasses in the current. Easy to miss. They can be green or brown.
There is also an Ornate Ghost PipeFish ... appropriately named
i was fascinated with the pattern and colors
They can also be orange
This is a baby Ornate Ghost PipeFish, only about 1.5" long. Under water with a naked eye, this little one was totally white.... and it was on a group of corals that were white exactly like it. I had the darnest time trying to see what they were looking at. And, it wasn't that small. The flash on the camera brought out the colors that i couldn't see
And this one, i was not sure what it is, i've asked the experts. So many 'whiskers', it's called a Rough Snout Ghost PipeFish. Another first !
I'm sure you've seen photos of a Banded Coral Shrimp; but i've never really watched one in action. Check it out. Busy Busy Busy
You Tube: https://youtu.be/GfOCdtQKYX0
Something fun to watch is this video is of a Goby (fish) and a Blind Pistol Shrimp, (what is a Shrimp doing with a pistol if it's blind?). Anyway, they have this relationship. The Goby needs a hole to live in, but can't dig. The Shrimp can't see. So the Goby keeps watch out, while the Shrimp digs the hole. If it senses danger, it alerts to Shrimp and they both retreat. For whatever reason, they didn't know or care that i was watching them. This is an amazing video to watch.... what a worker ! I love these guys !
You Tube:
https://youtu.be/_ntiQVj7Hzo
We also saw several Sea Horses, but they looked pretty much the same as the ones in Dauin.
It was a great couple of days of diving; and i've included several videos this time. Sometimes, it's easier to 'show', than to 'say'. I hope you enjoy them.
After staying at Glen and Apple's, i wanted to move closer to the Dive Shop. I started walking down the street and noticed there was a place right next door called White Island Beach Resort. It was far far from a 'Resort', but it was perfect for me. It wasn't pretty to look at, and the 'grounds' were messy . There were nicer places for the same money; but being on the water was important to me. I got the corner room on the second floor !
With a view to the sea, leaving my windows open at night, listening to the waves hit the shore. Home Sweet Home.
I caught a couple nice sunsets from the 'real' Resort next door.
That's a good ending to my Camiguin Diving story. I have my Guide, Don-don, to thank for this wonderful experience.
Next Blog: I returned to Panglao, for a short visit, and a sad goodbye ...and then off to Manila. Why?
MORE diving of course !
dp
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