Unique Nudibranchs

As I started honing my "snootmanship", my approach to photographing nudibranchs changed. I would get down, get low, and get close (mantra of Mike B. ), aim the snoot on its whole body (if possible) or its front rhinophores. And the main focus was the closest rhinophore to me.

A plus on this trip trip was that I photographed other kinds of nudibranchs that I've never seen before such as the Janolus nudibranch in the photo above. Our guide said that this particular nudi is a rare sighting as it appears once a year when the waters are a bit cold. I had a hard time finding it's rhinophores and I ended up taking a picture of it from behind. Nevertheless, its body is so colorful! 💐

Another unique nudi is the maronia below, which is part of the Tritoniidae family. It looks just like soft coral 🪸 and thus, so easy to miss!

This melibe coliemani aka as the ghost nudibranch looks just like a piece of hairy fuzz. I don't know where the head is so your guess is as good as mine!

Next up is the Jorruna rubescens or the snoopy dog nudibranch. This nudi was quite big, about the size of a pickleball. Fortunately I had the MFC 03 which I borrowed from Deb which transformed my 90mm lens to a 60mm enabling me to capture the entire critter.

Last but not least is this Miamira Aleni nudi which is kind of a warty nudibranch. It's a larger nudi and I wasn't able to get it's whole body thus getting an angled shot was the best that I can do.

Check out the rest of my favorite nudis here.

Now on to Malapascua, where I'll be diving with Thresher sharks! 🦈 🦈 🦈