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There is significant irony in my love of the Philippines which I regard as one of the top few places to do underwater macro photography.

I do recall when shooting underwater and marveling at the beauty and diversity of it all, that my father, some 70 years ago fought there during WW 2.

I had opportunities to talk to him about his experiences before he died and needless to say, they were very different than mine…I digress.

We have been to three different places there, each offering another opportunity to locate great macro subjects… Dumaguete, Puerto Galera and Anilao..The island nature of the Philippines made it an ideal place for underwater habitat..Frankly, some of the coolest things love the “junk” (we are talking garbage) you find from 25 to 60 feet adjacent to small fishing towns..The critters find hiding places and things to eat there thus often making it their home.

The first time at Dumaguete, I got some coaching from a professional which started my journey on really trying to capture these subjects in sharp focus; Trips two and three were about working on composition with an effort to create some interest in the shots.

Most people have only been able to see much of what is here on Discovery and National Geographic Channels..or, in books and magazines. I have to say, there is nothing like an in person look at them.

So whats the deal with small (macro) creatures I am often asked? Why spend all this time locating and shooting them..?

The  creature colors are full spectrum and spectacular along with very different “movements” of each..They all loco-mote in their own way and usually find habitat similar to their own color to hang out in..The only comparable place you find such life is in the jungle at night!

Since they are well camouflaged, it is hard to find them without good guides having sharp eyes.

I imagine we will be back again soon to this area of the world; one of the oldest reef systems and sea area in the world.

Philippines 2014!

We have had such success last year at Crystal Blue Resort in the Philippines that we returned this May for another round of excellent shooting. Patti has done some first rate Videos to be published later in the year. Its really hard to describe how much fun we have locating different critters while diving 4 times a day for 7 days including night diving as well.

We got some new and different shots while working with professional Mike Bartick, our instructor, and the outstanding guides at the resort! Several of the critters are unusal and uncommon like the Green Hairy Goby discovered by Bartick..one of many new species he has uncovered. One of the Nudis shown has eggs curling around an adjacent piece of coral..these are nearly microscopic, take a close look.

One of my long sought critters, the Hairy Frogfish, finally showed up to my pleasure and posed for many shots..I included a few photos of the Philippines above the water this time to give a sense of what life is like there when people live near/on the water.

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Unique.. Very Very Unique..that’s what distinguishes the critters here..

I have been to the Philippines several times now and these unique critters really standout  photographically but also for their unconventional behavior!

For example, seahorses are actually fish and they have an unusual breeding method. The male carries the eggs in a “brooding pouch” and provides necessary nutrients to the point of hatch.

Frogfish have an suprising method of catching their food. They are angler fish using a long thin “rod” attached to their head with a “lure” at the end. This  dangles in front of the absolutely still, immobile Frogfish until a unsuspecting prey happens by and shows interest. Froggies strike so quickly, which I’ve watched, that you can’t see the action, only the result!

Nudibranchs number over 2000 species and once you’ve seen one, you watch for more! These guys are prolific in the Philippines and look like snails without shells EXCEPT they’re very colorful and widely varied! The aspect most compelling is the detailed designs on them..I have several on my site..Take a look and see what you think!

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My friend Jim Horn and I have been to many of the great Parks of the Southwest enjoying all they have to offer.

The best photo opportunities are near sunrise and sunset..there are special light moments at these times which show some of our worlds geologic features in a spectacular, colorful way.

For instance, Death Valley is a stand out appreciated with or without a camera!  Moab, Bryce, and Slot Canyons around Page all are visually compelling places to see as well.

We are talking about Rocks, Formations, ..colored and carved by Water, randomly, with show stopping outcomes..Don’t miss a chance to go to any of these places!!

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My interest in Underwater Critter shooting led me to Ecuador to do night shooting in the rainforests. The Rainforest critters have their own beauty!

Its difficult to describe the profusion of life, particularly amphibian, reptile, and insect life which abounds there.

We took this trip with Dr Paul Hamilton, a teaching professional in this area of life as well as expert photographer..what an experience?!

I liked what we we  shot there so much I made a coffee table book of the subjects..Of the four books  I’ve done, this is by far the most popular!!

For those liking these things, I cannot imagine a better place to see them. we are talking snakes, spiders, moths, frogs, lizards, and more. I saw things I’ve never seen anywhere before.

We were at a research station on one of the Amazon tributaries where the silence of dusk was replaced by an explosion of jungle noise at dark..The  trails we walked to locate subjects meandered all around the banks of the river and inland a mile or two..pretty wet and pretty muddy but most rewarding!!