Muck diving, does that
sounds gross and dirty to you? Well it is not! Muck diving is scuba
diving in a sandy bottom ocean habitat. In the case of Lembeh Straits it
is a black volcanic sand bottom. Unlike reef diving you're not distracting by bright corals and fish, you
have to focus on the hidden and obscure little bottom dwellers in the sand
(shrimps, fish, nudibranchs, seahorses, anemones, etc.). Extremely
small and interesting creatures are abundant, just think of interesting aliens,
these underwater creatures are fascinating to look at.
We spent a
week in Lembeh Straits doing muck dives with our friends from Field Trip and
had an amazing time. I am pretty good at spotting and finding creatures, but we
have found out we are no match for the well trained (marine biology) and keen
eyes of Michael and Elizabeth. We are thankful for our time with them and
now miss them dearly.
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| Tambja Morosa Nudibranchs- photo by Elizabeth Silverstein |
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| Tambja Morosa Nudibranchs- The name nudibranch means naked gills, they use their gills on the outside of their body |
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| Many Lobed Ceratosoma Nudibranchs- photo by Elizabeth Silverstein |
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| Blue Dragon Nudibranchs |
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| Caloria Indian Nudibranchs |
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| Colorful Hypselodoris Nudibranchs |
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| Nudibranchs |
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| Ribbon Eel |
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| Ghost Pipefish |
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| Giant Seahorse |
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| Hypselodoris Nudibranchs |
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| Hypselodoris Nudibranchs |
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| Nembrotha Lineolata Nudibranchs |
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| Chamberlins Nembrotha Nudibranchs |
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| Mating Leopard Nudibranchs |
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| Nembrotha Purpureolineata Nudibranchs |
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| Colorful Hypselodoris Nudibranchs-photo by Elizabeth Silverstein |
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| This species was first seen in 1980 and fully described and documented in 2006. WonderPuss Octopus |
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| Phyllidiella Nudibranchs |
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| Radiant Seaurchin |
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| Streaked Chromodoris Nudibranchs |
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| Tambja Gabrielae Nudibranchs |
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| Williams Chromodoris Nudibranchs |
Video of some of the interesting critters we see underwater. If you have received my blog via email click here to open blog and video
https://alohanoelle.blogspot.com/2019/10/indonesia-sulawesi-lembeh-straits-muck.html
Outstanding National Geo class photography!! I presume its shallow but amazing how you're getting all this light. The octopus is even more over the top than the nudibranches. Wonderful great narrative, Arthur Pym with a camera!
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