Category: 70-Diving

2018, Djibouti Selection, Fish, Underwater Pictures from Djibouti

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the waters of the Gulf of Tadjoura

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the waters of the Gulf of Tadjoura - Djibouti

Silhouette of a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the Gulf of Tadjoura – Djibouti

Emerging from the depths of the Gulf of Tadjoura, the whale shark reveals its massive silhouette, adorned with a constellation of white spots unique to each individual.

Despite its impressive size, this sea giant is a harmless filter feeder that lives almost exclusively on plankton. In the waters of Djibouti, encountering the world’s largest fish is a moment of suspended grace. Its thick, starry skin acts like a digital fingerprint, allowing researchers to identify and track individuals across the oceans.

This top-down view highlights the whale shark’s hydrodynamic elegance. Moving with majestic slowness, it reminds us of the vulnerability of giants in a changing environment. Protecting its feeding grounds, as seen here in the Horn of Africa, is vital for the survival of this iconic species, currently listed as endangered.

2015, Mexico Selection, Underwater Pictures from Mexico

Diving into the Mayan Underworld: The Cenotes of Yucatán

Scuba diver exploring light beams in a Mexican cenote, Yucatan

Beneath the Yucatán jungle, cenotes offer a unique spectacle where light carves through the darkness.

Considered gateways to the underworld by the ancient Maya, cenotes are natural sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock.

These unique geological formations house vast networks of underground rivers, the longest in the world. In the crystal-clear water, the meeting of fresh surface water and deeper salt water often creates a halocline—a striking optical phenomenon that gives the illusion of flying over an underwater river. For a diver, every descent is a journey through time among stalactites and stalagmites formed millennia ago, when these caves were still dry.

2018, Fish, Underwater Pictures from Djibouti

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) – Djibouti

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Djibouti

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) – Djibouti.

In the deep, dark waters of the Gulf of Tadjoura, off the coast of Djibouti, a majestic silhouette emerges: the whale shark, the world’s largest fish.

Despite its 12 to 18 meters in length, this giant is completely harmless to humans. Its existence is governed by a simple yet formidable feeding strategy: it swims slowly with its mouth agape, filtering up to 6,000 liters of water every hour to capture plankton and tiny suspended prey. Each day, it can ingest several dozen kilograms of food. The nutrient-rich waters of Djibouti, particularly between October and February, become a crucial gathering point for these behemoths, offering observers the unforgettable sight of a gentle giant gliding through the vast blue.

2014, Fish, Portugal Selection, Underwater Pictures from Azores

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.

2012, Fish, Underwater Pictures from Indonesia

Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) – Indonesia

Ornate

Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) – Indonesia

 

Strange and delicate, Solenostomus paradoxus defies the eye. This harlequin ghost pipefish, a master of camouflage, blends perfectly among gorgonian branches or seagrass beds, mimicking the shapes and colors of its surroundings. Hanging head-down, it seems to vanish into the background, eluding predators with ease. Its spectacular mimicry makes it one of the most fascinating illusionists of tropical reefs.

?>
Next page