Recently in U/W Photography and Videography Category

Cary Yanny has had a week of diving delights in the lovely Lembeh and shares them here...we know you'd much rather be in the water yourself but until you can join us, enjoy the video!

"This week has been simply amazing in the Lembeh Strait. We've seen Hairy octopus, Mantis shrimp complete with eggs, Crocodile fish, Hairy frogfish, Pygmy seahorse, Mimic octopus, Morays, Shrimps, Pufferfish and Flamboyant Cuttlefish."

Congratulations to Yoko Toda who is our Photo of the week winner with this nice shot of a Hairy Squat Lobster.

She took this photo after hiring our rental D200 camera and getting some tips from our resident photo pro Christian Loader who is the Manager of The Digital Centre at Eco Divers. Well done Yoko!

Here are some of our critter encounters from 1st half of August 2011:

Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Thorny Seahorse, Juvenile Barramundi Grouper, Black Ribbon Eel, Dragon Sea Moth, Leaf Fish, Wonderpus, Cockatoo Waspfish, Decorator Crab, Cowfish, Poison Ocellate Octopus, Hermit Crab, Devilfish, Pygmy Seahorse, Fingered Dragonet, Jawfish, Cowry, Blenny, Frogfish, Sea Snake, Zebra Crab



Critter Focus: Poison Ocellate Octopus


Poison Ocellate Octopus (Amphioctopus siamensis) is relatively small, arms are up to 25cm in length and has an orange tan. When disturbed they display a white background with bold reddish brown stripes that run the length of its body and arms plus a single blue ring underneath each eye. They are most active during the day and can normally be found on shallow rubble and sandy bottoms.


This photo was taken by Christian using our rental Nikon D200 (Nikon 50mm lens, Scubacam snoot, 1/125s, f14, ISO200) which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.

Some of our critter encounters from 2nd half of July 2011:

Butterflyfish, Scorpionfish, Leaf Fish, Lionfish, Zebra Batfish, Ghost Pipefish, Long Arm Octopus, Waspfish, Crinoid Shrimp, Flatworm, Moray Eel, Catfish, Orange Frogfish, Ribbon Eel, Banggai Cardinalfish, Devilfish, Mimic Octopus, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Squid, Thorny Seahorse


Critter Focus:  Flatworm



Flatworm (Phylum Platyhelminthes) are the most primitive animals and can range from 2.5cm to 12.5cm. Mostly they are found under rocks and in dark recesses but on the rare occasion they are found swimming in open water as shown in this photo.



This photo was taken by Christian using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Manado or at Lembeh Strait.

This great picture of not one but TWO Pigmy Seahorses take the 'Photo of the week winner' this week.

Well done Debbie Moffit for taking such a great picture, go on be honest did you even see the second one? :o)

The first ever Oceania Dive Expo takes place in Brisbane, Australia, this October.

In connection with this special event, an Australasia-wide Shoot-Out, 2011 Underwater Festival, is taking place with the showcase and awards ceremony happening during ODEX on 07-09 October. This is the world's richest shootout with over $150,000 in prizes.

If you're interested in entering the competition, there are full details here

As major sponsors of 2011 Underwater Festival, Eco Divers, Kima Bajo Resort, Lembeh Cottages and The Digital Centre want to assist Shoot-Out entrants to gain the very best chance of winning in the competition.

Which is why we've decided to run a completely FREE photo workshop in Manado and Lembeh between 02 - 11 September. World-renowed underwater photographers will be on-hand to dive with you and to share their secrets of success.

There's literally nothing extra to pay; just come and stay for as little or long as you like around those dates. Want to shoot wide-angle? Dive Bunaken by staying at Kima Bajo. More interested in macro? Then Lembeh Cottages is for you. Entering the portfolio competition? Maybe do a combo of Bunaken and Lembeh.

Book today and be in with a shot - info@eco-divers.com

This shootout competition is one of the main highlights of Celebrate the Sea 2011. Competitors stand the chance to win prestigious medals for Outstanding Achievement, Merit of Excellence awards and the coveted title for the 'Most Influential Underwater Shoot Out Photographer 2011 with cash and holiday prize of USD 5000.

Joining the panel of speakers & judges, you will discover the splendour of underwater North Sulawesi. Oceanic walls, soft coral canyons, extensive coral meadows and intriguing muck dive locations offer unparalleled photographic opportunities found nowhere else in the world.

Join Eco Divers for our SHOOT OUT PACKAGE from 19-23 September. You can choose from a single location in either Bunaken or Lembeh or get the best of both worlds with a Combo Package for both.

Prices start from just USD 692 per person per double/twin room and includes 4 nights accommodation in air-conditioned room, 3 days diving, with 11 dives as follows - 6 morning dives, 3 afternoon dives, 2 night dives , breakfast, lunch & dinner, tea, coffee, water & snacks, internet access, permits/entrance fees, tax & service and airport transfers. Note: The Combo Package offers a different dive combination.

Book your place today - it's going to be a superb experience - email info@eco-divers.com

If you love marine life, then there is no better place to be during June 2012 than at Lembeh Cottages with Ned and Anna DeLoach, co-authors of the best selling series of marine identification field guides including Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific and Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific, and the marine life column "Encounters" in Alert Diver magazine, and 'Critter Hunt' in Scuba Diving.

Plenty of diving, discovery and underwater fun, plus nightly presentations.  

The week's activities include:
    Reef fish and invertebrate identification and behavior
    Daily underwater fish and critter hunts for the area's most celebrated species

Underwater Photo/Video Workshop:
• How to capture winning marine wildlife portraits
• Tips on getting close to elusive subjects
• Framing your subject
• Waiting for the right moment

Special Nightly Presentations include:
• Cephalopod behavior: The outrageous antics of octopus, cuttlefish and squid
• Symbiosis and Camouflage: Hiding in plain sight
• The diverse reproductive behavior of reef fishes

To read about Ned and Anna's recent adventures www.marinelifeblog.com

We guarantee that after spending an energizing week of fun and learning with a group of like-minded friends, diving will never be the same!

Email info@eco-divers.com and be sure to book your place today!

Some of our critter encounters from 1^st half of March 2011:

Decorator Crab, Thorny Seahorse, Juvenile Barramundi Grouper, Black Ribbon Eel, Adult & baby Flying Gurnard, Sea Snake, Baby Spearing Mantis Shrimp, Two baby Cuttlefish, Dragon Sea Moth, Orangefin Batfish, Leaf Fish, Broadclub Cuttlefish, Electric Clam, Wonderpus, Cockatoo Waspfish, Banded Moray Eel free swimming, Cowfish,  Hermit Crab, Devilfish, Pontohi Pygmy Seahorse, Fingered Dragonet, Jawfish, Cowry

Critter Focus: Broadclub Cuttlefish

Broadclub Cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) are a large common species found in the Lembeh Straits that are experts in camouflage. They can change colour rapidly and are sometimes seen in the defensive posture as shown here.

This photo was taken by Lou using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.

Here is an amazing shot of 2 Squid laying and tending their eggs that Barbara Jones took recently which takes the 'Photo of the week' prize this time. Long time fans of Eco Divers, Barb and her husband Alan are both fantastic photographers and we look forward to seeing them again very soon.