2014

2014, Portugal Selection, Underwater Pictures from Azores, Underwater Wildlife

Mobulas Rays (Mobula tarapacana), Sea Devils or Gentle Giants? – Azores, Portugal

Mobula rays (Mobula tarapacana), Sea devils or gentle giants? - Azores, Portugal

Mobula rays (Mobula tarapacana), Sea devils or gentle giants? – Azores, Portugal.

Mobula rays, cousins of the majestic manta rays, have long been nicknamed “sea devils” by fishermen around the world.

Their impressive silhouette, their two horn-shaped cephalic fins, the stinger at the base of their dorsal fin, and especially their spectacular habit of leaping out of the water, have fueled many fears and legends. Among the most whimsical tales, it was said that mobulas could grab boat anchors with their curled horns to drag vessels into the abyss. Though harmless to humans, they were also accused of trapping pearl divers or freedivers under their immense “cloak” to drown them. These beliefs, born of ignorance and seafaring imagination, contrast today with the fascination inspired by their elegance, their quiet power, and their essential role in the balance of marine ecosystems.

2014, Insects and Arachnids, Mainland France Selection

Water drops on a spider web

The life of a raindrop is full of adventure. Its journey will take it to the bottom of the ocean abyss at 11,000 meters below sea level. It will make its way around the world several times until one day it evaporates and climbs the great heights to join the clouds, 9,000 meters in the air.
However the life of a raindrop can also be a life of ongoing patience. Some raindrops wait, frozen in the antarctic ice for over 800,000 years. A raindrop that decides to take aim for a lake will have to wait 17 years before it can once again evaporate; its oceanic cousin will have to wait more than 3,000 years. Once evaporated, the raindrop still has an 8 day journey crossing layers of terrestrial atmosphere before finally rejoining its cloud.

2014, Diving-Paper, Indonesia Paper, Paper, Underwater Pictures from Indonesia

Indonesia: Diving the Raja Ampat Islands

Raja Ampat, or “The Four Kings,” is an Indonesian archipelago comprising four main islands and approximately 1,500 smaller islets. Located at the meeting point of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, this region serves as a vital crossroads for marine species from both basins, fueling extraordinary biodiversity.

Research shows that 75% of all known coral species in the world can be found within this archipelago, making it arguably the most biodiverse marine habitat on Earth. While a few photos cannot provide an exhaustive survey, the following images offer a glimpse into the incredible colors and forms encountered while diving in Raja Ampat.

Marine life encounter in Raja Ampat

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Seabed landscape in Raja Ampat

Seabed

Anker's Whip Coral Shrimp - Pontonides ankeri

Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp — Pontonides ankeri

Coral formation in Indonesia

Coral

Underwater silhouette

Apparition

Explosion of marine colors

Explosion

Clownfish in its anemone

Clownfish

Manta Ray swimming

The Manta

Pair of Pygmy Seahorses - Hippocampus bargibanti

Pair of Pygmy Seahorses — Hippocampus bargibanti

Camouflaged Pygmy Seahorse

Pygmy Seahorse — Hippocampus bargibanti

Yellow-lipped sea krait - Laticauda colubrina

Laticauda colubrina — Yellow-lipped sea krait

Close up of coral

Coral

Tasselled wobbegong shark - Eucrossorhinus dasypogon

Eucrossorhinus dasypogon — Tasselled wobbegong

Marine biodiversity

Coral

Blenny fish

Blenny

Soft coral formation

Soft coral assembly

Sabellidae sea worm

Sea worm plume — Sabellidae

Coral garden

Coral

Green Sea Turtle - Chelonia mydas

Green Sea Turtle — Chelonia mydas

Masked pufferfish

Masked pufferfish

Macro underwater photography

Only a few millimeters long

School of fusilier fish

Fusiliers

Marine life balance

Marine life

— Continue the journey —

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