POTW: December 2020 / Week 3

I got one shot of this Flying Gurnard before it swam away, so I feel very lucky that the image turned out as well as it did. The fins/wings are spread perfectly, no body parts are cut off and the angle is very pleasing. It is not the best shot technically, but so far it is only the second time I have seen a Flying Gurnard and I am thrilled with the way the photo turned out. This image was shot at Boca Sami beach, which is near Blue Bay Resort. The site itself is not really pretty or dramatic compared to sites like Director’s Bay, Tug Boat and Caracas Bay, but the marine life is amazing and diverse.

Equipment and settings: Nikon D850 / 60mm / INON 330Z strobes / f 13 / 1/125th / ISO 125.  
Location: Boca Sami Curaçao

Other winners in 2020…

December 2020 / Week 4

December 2020 / Week 4

This is the last Photo of the Week for 2020 and I feel lucky I shot it. I had a limited selection of photos as I as sidelined for most of the week - out with a mysterious sore throat and cough (but thankfully not Covid as we took a day out to get tested). Anyway, once...

December 2020 / Week 2

December 2020 / Week 2

I found this Spotted Cleaner Shrimp on a Giant Anemone while diving the Ocean Encounters house reef. I noticed it right away due to its size and activity. The surge had picked up and the arms of the anemone the shrimp was planted on were all over the place. The shrimp...

December 2020 / Week 1

December 2020 / Week 1

Most divers know to look out for the Scorpionfish. They are often difficult to spot because they blend in so well with their environment. Because they blend in so well with their surroundings, it can be difficult to get a photo where you are able to separate the fish...

November 2020 / Week 5

November 2020 / Week 5

A Chain Moray Eel and Spotted Moray Eel are together peeking out from under the cement block at Tres Trapi. I spotted these two together at another area under the block, but the Spotted Moray made it clear the Chain Moray was not welcome. The Chain Moray found another...

November 2020 / Week 4

November 2020 / Week 4

This is one of my favorite macro images of a hydroid - I believe it is a Christmas Tree Hydroid, but I'm not positive. These colonies of animals are easily overlooked, but they are stunning on closer inspection. Equipment and settings: Nikon D850 / 105mm / INON 330Z /...

November 2020 / Week 3

November 2020 / Week 3

Typically this photo of a Yellowhead Wrasse would not be included as a POTW, but the fact that the wrasse is displaying its "vampire teeth" makes it unusual enough to be selected. This Yellowhead Wrasse is in the terminal phase, which is the most colorful of the three...

November 2020 / Week 2

November 2020 / Week 2

I love this photo of a Queen Angel. It was feasting on sponges growing under one of the planes at The Planes dive site in Aruba. This little guy looks a bit startled when fired the shot but continued on with his business after the photo shoot. Equipment and settings:...

November 2020 / Week 1

November 2020 / Week 1

Sometimes you spot subjects where you least expect it. This nimble White Speckled Hermit Crab was resting about 3 feet off of the ground in the middle of a gorgonian, making it very easy to photograph. Equipment and settings: Nikon D850 / 60mm / INON 330Z / f 18/...