This is a photo processed to painting style. This Manta’s photo was taken at Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia. It is convenient because it can be easily created and used as a material. https://www.redbubble.com/people/tank200bar/shop?asc=u
Thanks Tim! for carrying my photo on Outdoor Japan Traveler as the front cover. This photo from The 50 Best Dives in Japan: The Ultimate Guide to the Essential Sites, by Tim Rock and Noriyuki Otani
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PRJT8PG
The Gyosho point is the garden of Marine flowers. Concrete blocs covered with many colorful soft corals. And it is a habitat for a lot of creatures. It is located south of the Kii peninsula. Mie, Japan.
The article linked (The web magazine TRiPE DiTOR) is in Japanese. But you can enjoy photos.
I introduced that place detailed also in Guide Book “New 50 Best Dives in Japan” (in English). On sale at Amazon.com
“A diving point where can see Mt. Fuji” from the web magazine ” TRiPE DiTOR” . It faces Suruga Bay in Higashi Izu. A wide variety of marine life can be seen. Linked articles are in Japanese, but please enjoy the photos.
We also introduced the location in detail in our guidebook “New 50 Best Dives in Japan”. Available on Amazon.com
The diving point like an amusement park. It is located south end of Boso peninsula. Chiba Tateyama. The article linked is in Japanese.
I introduced that place detailed also in Guide Book “New 50 Best Dives in Japan” (in English). On sale at Amazon.com
Japan is in the rainy season now.
Sunny day is rare.
I was at Yoshino, Nara where one of the world heritage.
It is famous of cherry blossoms in spring season.
A lot of people visit here.
However, now, It is in green.
Visitors are few and can enjoy calm feeling and Lacecap hydrangea flowers.
Yoshino, Nara, Japan
According to Sealifebase, “Narwal shrimp, Plesionika narval (Fabricius, 1787) occurs at depths of 10 to 900 m, is found between 200 and 400 m “. This photo was taken at Owase, -20m. Several places in Japan, Wakayama, Izu, This shrimp is found at not-so-deep-water （-20 to -40m） where we can visit with Scuba. Narwal shrimp is called Okino-suji-ebi in Japanese. Oki-no meaning ”at open sea” or “at the ocean”. suji is the line. ebi is shrimp. It is the useful name that we can understand easily the shrimp where lives and what shape.
Leopard Anemone Shrimp and Gorgonian wrapper
These days, Leopard Anemone Shrimps can be seen easily at Owase. Gorgonian wrapper anemone that the shrimps live has been known from over 20 years here. Though, as far as I know, Leopard Anemone Shrimps has been discovered within three years. Anemonefishes came to able to stay wintering also. Water temp may be coming up here also. Owase, Mie, Japan -20m
Red-netted Goniobranch is called “Sarasa Umiushi”. Umiushi meaning Nudibranch or Sea slug in Japanese. This is a common nudi at Owase. It looks like wearing red lace knitting. It may be named after as that looks.
According to Wikipedia, Sarasa is a dyeing and weaving term that refers to a cotton-colored pattern-dyed product of Indian origin and similar pattern-colored dyed products produced in Asia, Europe, etc. under the influence thereof.
-20m
This coral like a flower can be seen on the wall of rocks or on pillars of artificial fish reef everywhere at Owase.
This scene remembers the monster flower “Audrey II” that appeared the American rock musical comedy horror film “Little Shop of Horrors” directed by Frank Oz.
As closer and looking at them, may be able to hear that laughter. Owase, Mie, Japan. -20m
Astrochalcis sp. (micropus?) Thanks, Ron Silver
The scientific name of Basket star is Gorgonocephalus. It comes from “Medusa”.
She is the famous monster of Greek myth who has snake hair.
“gorgós” means “dreaded” and “cephalus” means “head” in Greek.
Although it makes me a stone also, it’s meaning I am happy too much.
It is rare to find this creature.
It looks like a moving fractal image reminiscent of early CG. It fascinates me.
So, I can’t move away in front of that, like a stone.
Owase, Mie, Japan. -20m
Spirals, and floods of color attract for me. When looking through a macro lens, the usual feather star transforms into abstract art at once. Owase, Mie, Japan
Everything about underwater and sky 