February 2021 / Week 1

Yellow Headed Wrasses

This was another tough week for judging the POTW. Again it came down to two photos and again yours truly served as the tie breaker. The subject for the two photos under consideration were the same. It was a couple of Yellow Head Wrasse engaging in either aggressive or romantic behavior – I’m not quite sure which. As I was observing the fish, I notice they both were locking open jaws – somewhat resembling a kiss. However when I opened the images in LightRoom and noticed the exposed teeth, it seems they are exhibiting some sort of dominance behavior.

Regardless of the behavior, I think the photo turned out great – especially considering I didn’t have time to change any of the settings on my camera fearing I would miss my window of opportunity.

Equipment and settings: Nikon D850 / 60mm / INON z330 strobes / f16 / 1/160th / ISO 320.  
Location: The Garden at Blue Bay, Curaçao

Other winners…

January 2021 / Week 4

January 2021 / Week 4

It was very difficult to choose this week's POTW winner. In fact, there was a split decision amongst the judges - however since I am the photographer and the author of this post, I am also tie breaker. I love cephalopods, and this octopus was extremely playful. In...

January 2021 / Week 3

January 2021 / Week 3

For this week's POTW, I had a limited number of photos to choose from. After an eight day surface interval due to a severe sore throat, I was finally able to get in the water yesterday and fire off some shots. Awwww - it felt so good. The fish in this photo is a...

January 2021 / Week 2

January 2021 / Week 2

This week's photo of the week is a juvenile Slender Filefish. I spotted two of these filefish in a gorgonian soft coral. The one in the photo is approximately 1 1/2 inches in length and was doing a phenomenal job evading my camera lens. The fish were very tricky to...

January 2021 / Week 1

January 2021 / Week 1

It's been a rainy January here in Curacao. It's my theory that the universe is trying to cleanse itself of the stench that was brought on by the year 2020. Happily 2021 brought on many changes and provided new diving adventures. Daan, of Rebel Diving introduced David...

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 Contenders

December 2020 Contenders

As we leave the year 2020 behind, we have six months worth of underwater images. After reviewing the current process for showcasing images (inside note - there is no formal process), we've decided to introduce a new format for viewing "the best of the best". As a...

December 2020 / Week 3

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...

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...

Aruba: Best of Shore Dives

Aruba: Best of Shore Dives

Although Aruba is not known for its shore diving, David and I found some great sites for shore diving and were not disappointed with the marine life that we encountered. Hands down or favorite site is Tres Trapi (or 3 Steps). With a maximum depth of 20 feet, you...

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/...

Fish Faces of Aruba

Fish Faces of Aruba

In Aruba you can find so many different fish. Different shapes, different sizes, different colors. You will find schooling fish, solitary fish and fish that travel in pairs. Many of the fish are cautious and unapproachable, however many of the fish appear to be...

Aruba: Best of Boat Dives I

Aruba: Best of Boat Dives I

David and I have been enjoying many boat dives in Aruba, mostly with Pure Diving Aruba.  The Pure Team is great – they are very knowledgeable of the local dive sites, they have years of diving experience, and they are just fun to dive with.  With...

Diving Arashi Reef and The Antilla Wreck

Diving Arashi Reef and The Antilla Wreck

David and I have been here in Aruba, not far from Arashi Beach and the Antilla Wreck since mid-July and we were finally able to dive these sites in mid-October, but it was worth the wait!! Our dive guide, Susan Heiter was amazing as she pointed out so many critters....