Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Friday's Shark

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

whitetip reef shark                     Triaenodon obesus

"Looking to the Earth With Care"

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

That's the meaning of the species name, terramtuentis, for this nudibranch which was first identified in 1982.

gold lace nudibranch                     Halgerda terramtuentis

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Extrication

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler


Day Octopus           Octopus cyanea

Dark Reef

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler


green sea turtle                 Chelonia mydas


Netted Pattern

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler



reticulated butterflyfish             Chaetodon reticulatus

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Bug

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler



Regal Slipper Lobster               (Arctides regalis)

King of the Hill

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler



Peacock Grouper     Cephalopholis argus

Ornamental

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler


Ornate Butterflyfish           (Chaetodon ornatissimus)

Friday, February 14, 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Monday, February 3, 2014

Bunkmates

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

This photo shows a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) sharing its resting spot with a whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus). As mismatched as this arrangement may seem, I've actually seen it several times and I imagine it must be fairly common. Both species like to shelter under ledges or in lava tubes during the day and, since such places are in short supply, inter-species co-habitation sometimes occurs. This type of shark has small teeth and feeds on small reef fishes and invertebrates so the turtle is not in peril.

These species like to shelter in tight spaces so getting a pleasing photo of both creatures is difficult. Hence, the shark's face being obscured.