Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

Colorful anthias meeting at a sea mountain called Batu Bolong, where the coral is almost perfect, many fish species as Jewel fairy basslet (m. & f.) Pseudanthias squamipinnis, Threadfin Anthias (m. & f.) Pseudanthias huchtii, Moonwrasse Thalassoma lunare, Sergeant-Majors Abudefduf vaigiensis, Lemon Damsel Pomacentrus moluccensis, Sixbar Wrasse Thalassoma Hardwicke, Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasses Labroides dimidiatus, Clarks Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkia, Klein's Butterflyfish Chaetodon kleinii. East of Komodo Island, Indonesia, 8°32'12" S 119°36'51" E at 2m depth

Etna is the tallest active volcano in continental Europe with persistent activity at multiple summit craters and vents. There are active craters within the Central Crater, the Northeast Crater, Southeast Crater, and the New Southeast Crater. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km2 (459 sq mi) with a basal circumference of 140 km (87 miles). This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy. The elevation varies with volcanic activity. The volcano last erupted on November 22, 2018. It is frequently given as 3,350 m (10,990 ft), but many sources that support this concede that this is approximate. The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) surveys the volcanic activities in Italy.

Colourful anthias meeting at a sea mountain called Batu Bolong, many fish species as Jewel fairy basslet (m. & f.) Pseudanthias squamipinnis, Threadfin Anthias (m. & f.) Pseudanthias huchtii, Bluestreak Fusilier Pterocaesio tile, Two-lined monocle bream Scolopsis bilineatus, Ternate Chromis Chromis ternatensis, Moonwrasse (m. & f.) Thalassoma lunare, Two-tone Wrasse (intermediate phase) Thalassoma amblycephalum, Fusilier Damselfish Lepidozygus tapeinosoma, Sergeant-Majors Abudefduf vaigiensis, Lemon Damsel Pomacentrus moluccensis, Chevroned Butterflyfish Chaetodon trifascialis, Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish Chaetodon baronessa, Sixbar Wrasse Thalassoma hardwicke. East of Komodo Island, Indonesia, 8°32'12" S 119°36'51" E at 2m depth

Dwarf Moray Gymnothorax melatremus is wide-ranging in the tropical Indo-Pacific region (but Hawaiian specimens have higher vertebral counts, no other differences found) in a depth range from 1-58m. Living solitary and secretive in holes and crevices of seaward reefs, the species is seldom seen. Max. length 30cm USA, Hawai'i, West Coast Big Island at 8m depth 19°16'21.03" N 155°53'36.408" W

Yellowmask or Yellowface Angelfish Pomacanthus xanthometopon occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean in a depth range from 5-30m in coral rich areas of lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes. The species occurs often near caves, max. length 38cm. This specimen is from Palau, near Blue Corner, 7°8'3.43" N 134°13'7.17" E at 18m depth

The granulated sea star Choriaster granulatus, is the only species in the genus Choriaster. Maximum radius 27 cm"nThe body and upper portion of the arms form a blotch pattern, tan to brown or orange with lighter or darker colored arm tips. The species feeds on coral polyps, small invertebrates and scavenges on dead animals. Choriaster granulatus is widespread in tropical waters around the Indo-Pacific in a depth range of 0-40 meters."nSouth of Tellang Island, Indonesia"n7°32'42" S 127°32'5" E"n

Stunning biodiversity with Gorgonian Sea Fans, many species of soft coral and sponges, Acropora sp. stony coral, feather stars, ascidians like didemnum molle on a kind of "island", a little rock formation, just 1m over the bottom in a region of very strong current, where almost nothing can grow. A lot of fish species, Gold-band Fusilier (= Blue and Gold Fusilier = Scissortail Fusilier) Caesio caerulaurea, Blue Streak Fusiliers (= Neon Fusilier) Pterocaesio tile, Webers Chromis Chromis weberi, Klein's Butterflyfish Chaetodon kleinii, Philippines Chromis Chromis scotochiloptera, Threespot Dascyllus Dascyllus trimaculatus at the North East Side of Komodo Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia, 8°29'38" S 119°34'23" E at 7m depth

Large school of Bigeye Trevally Caranx sexfasciatus, the species occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific in a depth range from 0-146m, forming slow-moving schools during the day, dispersing at night feed, mainly on fish and crustaceans, common size is 60cm, max. 1.2m. Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°30'23 " S 130°44'15 " E at 18m depth

Flame Angel Centropyge loriculus occurs on most islands of Oceania, including the Hawaiian Islands, where not common. The species is found in a depth range from 4 to 60m, usually below 20m. This is an extremely shy fish, not easy to take a picture! USA, Hawai'i, West Coast Big Island at 12m depth 19°4'38.862" N 155°54'9.539" W

Swimming Peacock Mantis Shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus is one of the larger, more colourful mantis shrimps commonly seen, ranging in size from 3 to 18 centimetres (1.2 to 7.1 inches).

The Giant Clam Tridacna gigas, the largest extant species of bivalve molluscs, occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean in a depth range from 0-35m. The outer side of the shell is designed to be encrusted by all kind of sessile animals. This specimen reaches at least the common length of 80cm. Max. recorded size is 137cm and 500kg! Some Damselfishes, Staghorn Damselfish Amblyglyphidodon curacao and Black-and-gold chromis = Behn's Damsel Neoglyphidodon nigroris, a lot of soft and hard corals. Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°33'45" S 130°40'59" E at 5m depth

coat of a serval

Orange Cup Coral Tubastraea coccinea occurs in tropical and subtropical Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific in a depth range from 1-37m. These specimen are feeding at a rock overhang in full daytime at Horse Shoe Bay, South of Rinca Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia, 8°48'11" S 119°40'25" E at 6m depth

Almost end of January, 10:05 AM, the atmosphere in the Risøysund looks still like early morning. Nordland, Norway, 68°58'44.22" N 15°49'30.66" E

Cave Divers exploring the Santa Maria Caves at the North side of Comino island, the small Island between Gozo and. Malta. There are about ten different caves in this one area alone. Some are dead ends whilst others offer breathtaking swim throughs. This large cave, extending horizontally to over 30 m (100ft) connects to another cave. Motion blur at the divers fins, as the exposure had to be 1/15 to get enough light at ISO 100. Comino, Malta, 36° 1'11.99"N, 14°20'18.03"E

View from Tower of Urania Sternwarte of Zurich, Switzerland, the public observatory in the Lindenhof quarter towards Lindenhof, the churches and the Lake. The freezing cold winter morning of January 4, 2011 is quite dark during the partial solar eclipse.

A very large Fire Coral Millepora dichotoma in a beautiful coral garden, a Giant barrel sponge Xestospongia testudinaria at the right side, a lot of different soft and hard coral species, ascidians, feather stars and sponges, different Damselfish species

Denise's Pygmy Seahorse Hippocampus denise occurs in tropical Western Pacific in a depth range from 13-90m, max length 2.2cm for males and 2.4 cm for females. These Seahorses can match the coloration of the stems and with the body ornamentation in the form of tubercles they even perfectly imitate the polyps of their gorgonian hosts! The species is named after Denise Nielsen Tackett. North of Kri Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°32'40" S 130°41'34" E at 24m depth

Beautiful Soft Corals, mainly Dendronephthya sp. and a large Siphonogorgia godeffroyi. This species is a soft tree coral with a gorgonian like appearance, but there is no skeleton in the coral stem, it is stabilized just by the inner pressure. Depth: 10 to 20 m (33 to 65 ft).

Almost end of January, 10:25 AM, the atmosphere in the Risøy Channel still looks like early morning. Nordland, Norway. The Risøy Channel is 4850m long, 6m deep, with bottom width of 50m is the result of a long effort to improve access to the port at Risøyhamn, Norway. 68°58'21.51" N 15°41'31.90" E

Crystal clear underwater scenery with many species of soft and hard corals, a Staghorn Damselfishes Amblyglyphidodon curacao on top, a Palette Surgeonfish Paracanthurus hepatus and a Pacific Sailfin Tang Zebrasoma velifer at the right side. North East side of Gili Lawa Darat, Komodo National Park, Indonesia, 8°26'36" S, 119°35'1" E at 5 m depth

Pineapple Sea Cucumber Thelenota ananas (length 40-70cm, width 10-15cm, live weight 1-6 kg) have numerous large tube feet on the flat underside. Depth range 2 to 30m. The demand for this fairly common species has grown over recent years. It is now commonly harvested and processed for export to China, attracting quite high prices. ☹ ☹ ☹ ☹

A school of Indian Triggerfishes Melichthys indicus and some Bluelined Surgeonfishes Acanthurus lineatus near the shore. This is a real split shot, but a composite photo, both photos taken at the same place within minutes. The upper part is blurred, as the wide angle dome is wet whan taking split shots. At the southwest side of Alor Island, Pantar Strait, Indonesia, 8°19'7.608" S 124°19'30" E at 0-2m depth

Green turtles are found in tropical and portions of subtropical oceans worldwide. The species is endangered because there are so many predators, including humans. This specimen was injured at the carapace but survived. Palau, Micronesia, 7°7'18.599" N 134°16'31.189" E at 13m depth

These sponges are NOT photoshopped, that's the real color! The whole area is full of Bubble Tip Anemones Entacmaea quadricolor. A lot of Acropora sp. hard corals. Some Tropical Striped Triplefin Helcogramma striatum (4 cm = 1.6 inches) are there. A dive in Indonesia without them is quite rare! Many Stinging Hydrozoan Aglaophenia cupressina, they are useful to indicate good buoyancy to divers, as bad one is painful! South West side of Pura Island, Pantar Strait, Alor, Indonesia, 8°19'8" S 124°20" E at 8m depth

This beautiful brick ornament is from Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village in Seoul, South Korea, 37°34'59.32" N 126°58'59.908" E

Palm Thief or Coconut Crab Birgus latro is the largest terrestrial hermit crab in the world. The species is widely distributed on remote Indo-Pacific islands of the tropics. Adults have such a tough exoskeleton, they do not carry a shell anymore. Nowadays it is often some rubbish left behind instead of a natural shell, looks weird, but the protection is ok. Only females return to the sea to release fertilised eggs. After the larval stadium, the crabs look for a gastropod shell and return to dry land. Reaching sexual maturity at the age of 5 years, a Coconut Crabs lifespan is up to 60 years! Peleliu Island, Palau, Micronesia, 7°2'1.78" N 134°15'2.359" E

Black and White Snapper Macolor niger occurs in tropical Indo-Pacific in a depth range from 2-90m, max. length 75cm, common 35cm. A school of some 200 specimens at a drop off of an outer reef. Some Twinspot Snappers Lutjanus bohar inbetween the school, behind there are Trevallies, Groupers, Damselfishes, Triggerfishes, Fusiliers, Parrotfishes and Surgeonfishes. Palau, Micronesia, 7°18'48.019" N 134°13'23.539" E at 6m depth

Moorish Ideols Zanclus cornutus occurs in tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific in a depth range from 5-182m, max. length 23cm. Abundance of encrusted life, soft and hard corals, ascidians, hydrozoans and sponges. North Kri Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°33'15" S 130°41'25" E

A Common Lionfish Pterois volitans camouflaged very well in a gorgonian sea fan. The focus is on the tail fin, the transparency is a part of the camouflage. As a predator, the Lionfish uses the camouflage as a hunting skill. Pantar Street, West Coast of Alor, Indonesia, 8°20'34" S 124°23'1" E at 14m depth

This ctenophora ore comb jelly is about 10mm long. Ctenophores are bilaterally symmetrical like people, not radially symmetrical like jellyfish or starfish, and bear eight rows of combs bristling with cilia glued together to form "paddles" that glimmer rhythmically as they swim. A night dive with more than a mile of black water underneath requires more safety procedures than a shore dive. Whatever drops, is lost forever: camera, torch, diver... USA, Hawai'i, 4km outside West Coast Big Island at 8m depth 19°36'9.12" N 156°1'28.992" W

It is quite rare to see the Raccoon Butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula in such large aggregations, of about 70 specimen. The species attains 20cm and occurs all over tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean except Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Persian Golf (but in South Oman). Inbetween just one Lined Butterflyfish Chaetodon lineolatus who has a similar occurrence, but is quite rare in Hawai'i. USA, Hawai'i, West Coast Big Island at 13m depth 19°40'17.747" N 156°1'52.991" W

A school of Red Snappers Lutjanus bohar, in the background some Sleek Unicornfishes Naso hexacanthus and in the foreground Banana Fusiliers Pterocaesio pisang. Lutjanus bohar occurs in the tropical Indopacific and is more common around oceanic islands than in continental areas. The reef-associated species enters brackish and even freshwater areas, usually 10-70m, the depth range is 4-180m, the max. length 90cm, common 76cm. L. bohar mainly feeds on fishes, is preyed on by reef sharks and is a target of fishery, an important commercial fish in many areas. Hump coral Porites lutea at the left. A reef east of Kri Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°32'46.41" S 130°41'58.89" E at 10m depth

Common two-banded Seabreams Diplodus vulgaris, Malta

Early afternoon, after a storm the visibility is reduced to some 5 or 6m. That means: a lot of nutrition in the water, the Gorgonians like that and so the polyps are extended, the lunch is ready! Palau, Micronesia, 7°10'33.499" N 134°21'42.319" E at 14m depth

Banded Sea Snake Laticauda colubrina on a outer reef.

The whole reef on one photo, that is possible with a 15mm Full Format Lens. Stunning Biodiversity, many species of hard corals, hydroids, ascidians, some small settlements of dendronephthya soft coral and many fish species as Clown Triggerfish Balistoides conspicillum, Common Bluestripe Snapper Lutjanus kasmira, Philippines Chromis Chromis scotochiloptera, Yellow and Blueback Fusilier Caesio teres, Ribbon Sweetlips Plectorhinchus polytaenia, Sea Goldie Pseudanthias squamipinnis, Redfin Anthias Pseudanthias dispar, Threadfin Anthias Pseudanthias huchtii, Sammara Squirrelfish Neoniphon sammara, juvenile Two-tone Wrasse Thalassoma amblycephalum, Mirror Butterflyfish Chaetodon speculum, Ternate Chromis Chromis ternatensis. Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°40'48" S 130°43'51" E at 17m depth

Midnight Snapper Macolor macularis occurs in the tropical Western Pacific in a depth range from 3-90m, max. length 60cm. Often confused with Macolor niger. Adult Macolor macularis inhabit steep slopes of lagoon, channel, or seaward reefs, singly or in small groups. Juveniles with distinct black and white pattern occur singly on protected reef slopes with feather stars, in staghorn corals or large sponges and they look a bit like juvenile Sweetlips. Palau, Micronesia, 7°7'50.89" N 134°13'11.179" E at 14m depth

The Hispid Frogfish or Shaggy Angler Antennarius hispidus occurs in the tropical Indo-West Pacific in still muddy habitats that are either deep or offshore in a depth range from 0-90m. The color of this species is highly variable. This is a young specimen in a yellow phase. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia 1°29'7 " N 125°15'22" E at 11m depth

The polyps of the Gorgonian Coral are extended, they are feeding. It late morning in a channel at the west side of the Rock Islands with bad visibility, as a storm has reduced it to some 4 to 7m, so there is a lot of nutrition in the water. Palau, Micronesia, 7°10'52.918" N 134°21'35.95" E at 20m depth

Lobed Brain Coral Lobophyllia is a genus of large polp stony corals. This specimen is surrounded by Bubble Tip Anemones Entacmaea quadricolor. Stinging Hydrozoan Aglaophenia cupressina at the right, Cactus Algae or Calcareous Green Seaweed Halimeda tuna at the left side. South East side of Pura Island, Pantar strait, Alor, Indonesia, 8°18'58" S 124°22'3" E at 7m depth

Festive Parrotfish Scarus festivus is an uncommon species that occurs in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands in a depth range from 1-30m in clear lagoon and seaward reefs. At night Parrotfishes are relatively vulnerable to attack. They overcome this vulnerability by secreting a mucus cocoon from glands before sleeping which envelopes their bodies with a protective biopolymer, like this specimen, protecting himself from parasites and masking olfactory cues. So ectoparasitic gnathiid isopods (Gnathiidae), which feed on the blood of fish, have to stay out! Pantar Island, Pantar Strait, Indonesia, 8°12'50" S 124°19'47 " E at 13m depth

Large school of Bigeye Trevally Caranx sexfasciatus moving fast. Motion blur inevitable! The species occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific in a depth range from 0-146m, forming slow-moving schools during the day, dispersing at night feed, mainly on fish and crustaceans, common size is 60cm, max. size 120cm. Some Humpback Red Snapper Lutjanus gibbus inbetween. Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°30'23" S 130°44'15" E at 18m depth

The panorama is a composition of 36 photos, 12 HDR photos from 3 photos each. This glaciermade landscape is about 300m over the level of lake of Zurich. The Linth glacier formed this hills, drumlins, at the end of the last ice age about 15'000 years ago. It is an early April afternoon, springtime, the fertile meadows are dominated by dandelions. Schönenberg, Zurich Canton, Switzerland, 47°11'23.5" N 8°37'53.5" E at 700m a.s.l.

A splitshot from the top of the reef at Siladen Island, one of the islands of Bunaken National Park.

Swallowtail Cardinalfish Verulux cypselurus (former Rhabdamia cypselurus) occurs in tropical Indo-West Pacific in a depth range from 2-15m, max. length 6cm. Typical behavoir to see, large school above corals of a lagoon patch reef. Hard to imagine that the individuals of this large school practice distinct pairing during courtship and spawning. Northeast side of Gili Lawa Laut, Komodo National Park, Indonesia, 8°26'35.8" S 119°35'0.89" E at 4m depth

This sandy area is very exposed, that is why there are so many white spots to see, it's the sand, awhirled by the strong current. Anthias fishes dominate the scenery: Jewel Fairy Basslet Pseudanthias squamipinnis, Threadfin Anthias Pseudanthias huchtii and Redfin Anthias Pseudanthias dispar There are more fish species as Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse Labroides dimidiatus, Clark's Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii, Weber's Chromis Chromis weberi, Threespot Dascyllus Dascyllus trimaculatus, Scaly Chromis Chromis lepidolepis. There are soft corals like Pumping Xenia Coral Xenia elongata and Sinularia sp. Fingercoral and hard corals like Bubble Honeycomb Coral Euphyllia ancora and Boulder Brain Coral Colpophyllia Natans, a lot of Bubble Tip Anemone, Entacmaea quadricolor, the home of these Clark's Anemonefishes. East Side of Mauan Island, Komodo National Park, 8°33'31.2587" S 119°38'5.6142" E at 6m depth

Lateral view of Weber’s Chromis Chromis weberi

The Californian Humboldt Redwoods State Park, established 1921, is containing the world's largest remaining old-growth forest of coast redwoods. In the 1850s white settlers began felling the redwoods for homes and farmland in the area the Sinkyone, the original inhabitants, 20 years later the timber industry moved into the region. Thanks to Boone and Crockett Club members who formed the Save the Redwoods League, these Giants survived, some of them more than 100m tall with 12m circumference. On some places like here, there is fern and trefoil on the floor. Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California 40°21'1.999" N 123°55'27.259" W

There are about 70 marine lakes located throughout the Rock Islands, but the Jellyfish Lake is the famous one. Millions of golden jellyfishes migrate horizontally across the lake daily. Jellyfish Lake is connected to the ocean through fissures and tunnels in the limestone of an ancient Miocene reef. However the lake is sufficiently isolated and the conditions are different enough that the diversity of species in the lake is greatly reduced from the nearby lagoon. The Golden Jellyfish, Mastigias cf. papua etpisoni in this lake has evolved to be substantially different from the close relatives Mastigias papua living in the nearby lagoons, they lost lost most or all of the blue pigmentation, they have a reduction in the number, length and thickness of the terminal clubs, and they are non-stinging, so swimming in that lake is truly magical! Populations of older marine lakes often have medusae with no terminal clubs and when present, the terminal clubs are only about 0.17 of the bell diameter in length. Palau, 7°9'38.833" N 134°22'30.915" E at 0.5m depth

Pharaoh Cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis .In contrary to a squid's tail fins, cuttlefish have got a fin fringe running around all of the body side.

Portrait of a Crocodile Fish Cymbacephalus beauforti, waiting well camouflaged for prey at the bottom.

Hard to imagine that a Gorgonian Coral is a colony of thousands of animals! Nord side of Kri Island, one of the Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia, 0°33'18.738" S 130°40'39.18" E at 16m depth

A perfect coral reef with hard coral Acropora sp., Sun Coral Tubastraea faulkneri, soft coral Sinularia sp. a lot of Sergeant Major Abudefduf vaigiensis, Moonwrasse Thalassoma lunare, Jewel fairy basslet Pseudanthias squamipinnis, Coral Hind Cephalopholis miniate, Klein's Butterflyfish Chaetodon kleinii, Emperor Angelfish Pomacanthus imperator, Moorish ideol Zanclus cornutus, Big Unicornfish Naso vlamingii, Halfmoon Triggerfish Sufflamen chrysopterum. At a sea mountain called Crystal Rock, North of Gili Lawa Laut, an island North of Komodo Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia, 8°26'23.8234" S 119°33'58.9788" E at 9m depth

Bigfin Reef Squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana North of Mansinam Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia

Giant Manta Mobula birostris occurs circumglobal in tropical to temperate waters, mainly in near-shore waters, near coral and rocky reefs where feeding on plankton. Common length is 450cm, maximum length over 900cm! This large specimen is attracted by the serious density of plankton south of Waigeo Island, where the current is very strong. Raja Ampat, Indonesia, 0°34'50.46" S 130°32'30.79" E