edpdiver

Beautiful shots. The kelp shots are my favorites.

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

-Erwin

Jack, Pam, and Steve, thanks so much.

Steve, this photo was from a trip to Moalboal in 2009. The sardines would school around Pescador Island, and sometimes they would be so thick that they would block out the sun. They made for an amazing assortment of photographic opportunities. When this particular photo was taken, I was diving with my wife and son. My son was the one who spotted this sardine planet (a fact that he reminds me of frequently).

Just to give another example of how the sardines would play with light, here is another example from a more recent trip to Moalboal.

There were really some amazing effects. I have heard that the sardines have largely migrated away from this location. Fortunately, the rest of the diving scenery is sufficiently spectacular that it is well worth returning to even without the sardines!

Thanks Damo. You too, Steve.

@Steve, yes they asked before they used it. I have been a member of the Smithsonian for 25-30 years, so I was particularly pleased!

Hi Erwin,

 

Reef fish of the East Indies mentions that the first 2 or 3 dorsal spines are always filamented for D. dactylopus (fingered dragonet) and never for D. kuiteri (Kuiter's dragonet). That would make your's the fingered dragonet. Not sure if it is a male or female. Dorsal fin patterns seem more female-like to me, but I;m not sure if females can have such a bold coloration of head and flanks.

 

Bart

Thanks Bart. Much appreciated.