Pygmy Seahorse Portrait
This pygmy seahorse is roughly the size of a pinky fingernail. It is a master of disguise, blending in perfectly with its habitat.
Pygmy Seahorse
Another angle of this cute pygmy seahorse, which is less than 1/2 inch in length.
Crab with Eggs
This crab is less than 1 inch across. Below it you can see hundreds of its eggs.
Seahorse Portrait
This seahorse made for a great subject as it stared directly at my camera.
Urchin
This is the inside of a sea urchin.
Coleman Shrimp
These Coleman Shrimp are roughly 1 inch long. The larger individual is the female. The brilliant background is the fire urchin on which they live.
Coleman Shrimp Cloesup
Boxer Crab
This boxer crab, also known as a Pom Pom crab, is less than 1 inch across. It derives its name from its unique habit of finding two white sea anemones (pom poms), which it uses as defense against potential predators.
Boxer Crab Portrait
Octopus
This curious octopus seemed to enjoy posing for my camera.
Cardinalfish with Eggs
This cardinalfish is not eating, but instead carrying its eggs in its mouth. Every so often, the cardinalfish opens its mouth to oxygenate the eggs. Within a split second, it sucks them back in for safe keeping.
Schooling Catfish
These juvenile catfish school together to remain safe from predators.
Manta Ray
This manta ray glides gracefully by me at Nusa Penida, a small island off the coast of Bali. This manta ray is at least 10 feet across.
Bumphead Parrotfish
These Bumphead Parrotfish have become quite famous at the Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, Bali. By moving slowly, I was able to capture this shot without scaring the fish.
Bumphead Parrotfish inside Wreck
I came across these Bumphead Parrotfish inside of the Liberty Wreck.
Coral Head
This massive coral structure sits in less than 30 feet of water at Nusa Penida.
Liberty Wreck Corals
Coral has now covered most of the Liberty Wreck, which was sunk during World War II.
Donald Duck Shrimp
This shrimp is known as the Donald Duck Shrimp for its extended beak-like mouth. It is less than a couple inches long.
Clown Frogfish
This bizarre fish is called a clown frogfish. It is less than 2 inches long.
Clown Frogfish on the Move
This clown frogfish, less than 2 inches long, used its fins to "walk" away from me as I started taking pictures.
Seahorse with a Red Eye
This seahorse was quite shy, but I managed to get one picture before it turned its back on me.
Rhinopias
This strange fish is called a Rhinopias. We found it under the town jetty in Padang Bai. Look closely to see its fins, eye and mouth (hint: look for the frown in the lower right).
Rhinopias Portrait
In this photo, I used a shallow depth of field to try to highlight the Rhinopias's strange facial features.
Rhinopias Portrait 2
In this photo, I used side lighting to highlight only one side of the Rhinopias's face.
Juvenile Boxfish
This little yellow juvenile boxfish is less then 2 inches long and quite fast. It was definitely a pain to photograph!
Cuttlefish Pair
The cuttlefish is a master of camouflage and has the ability to change colors instantly. In this case, an angry male is protecting the female behind him.
Cuttlefish Portrait
This cuttlefish hovered nicely for a few pictures before darting away.
Frogfish
This frogfish has its mouth wide open. Look closely and you can see its tiny eyes.
Scorpionfish Face
This is a closeup of a scorpionfish. It is quite poisonous, so be careful not to touch one if you see it!
Orange Scorpionfish Face
This is another scorpionfish. Believing strongly in its camouflage, it allowed me to approach within inches to take this picture.
Grouper
I found this large grouper on the Liberty Wreck in Tulamben. It allowed me to get within less than a foot before swimming away.
Flounder
The flounder has a unique story. It begins life with one eye on each side of its head, similar to most other fish. However, shortly after birth, one eye migrates to the other side of the head, much like you see in this picture.
Crab
This brilliantly colored and decorated crab is only a couple inches long.
Crinoid Squat Lobster
This little creature, less than a couple inches long, is called a Crinoid Squat Lobster. It lives exclusively in crinoids, where it uses its camouflage to hide from potential predators.
This Crinoid Squat Lobster ventured onto a brilliant orange sponge, which served as the perfect background.
Soft Coral Crab
This little crab, less than 1 inch across, is called a soft coral crab. It looks just like the soft coral on which it lives. You can see its bright red eyes on each side of its head.
Dragonet
This fish is called a dragonet. It is less than 2 inches long and quite shy. Luckily, it turned for one quick photo before darting into a hole.
Goby with Eggs
This little fish is called a Goby. On the lower right side of the photo, you can see its eggs, which it watches vigilantly.
Goby
This bright goby blends in nicely with its incredibly bright background.
Pikachu Nudibranch
This nudibranch is called a Pikachu Nudibranch for obvious reasons!
Donut Nudibranch
This nudibranch is called a donut nudibranch. It is less than 1 inch long.
Donut Nudibranch with Eggs
This donut nudibranch, less than 1 inch long, is climbing next to its eggs.
Nudibranch Closeup
This is a closeup of one of Bali's many beautiful nudibranchs.
Nudibranch Eggs
This photo shows a closeup of nudibranch eggs.
Pair of Nudis
These nudibranchs do not move quickly, but in this photo they appear quite happy to see one another!
Nudibranch
Another one of Bali's beautifully patterned nudibranchs.