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
Tag: underwater
Article: 尾鷲 Owase
The Under water flower garden
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
Article : 波左間海中公園
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
Macro: Narwal shrimp
Plesionika narval (Fabricius, 1787)
Useful Japanese common name “Okino-suji-ebi”
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.
Macro: Leopard Anemone Shrimp アヤトリカクレエビ
Izucaris masudai Okuno, 1999
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
Macro: Red-netted Goniobranch
Goniobranchus tinctorius (Rüppell & Leuckart, 1830)
Sarasa-Umiushi
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
Macro: Orange coral キサンゴ
Dendrophyllia sp.
laughter in the dark
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
Close-up: Basket star テヅルモヅル
Gorgonocephalus
Astrochalcis sp. (micropus?) Thanks, Ron Silver
Abstract beauty in the sea. The head of “Medusa” or CG?
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
Macro: Feather star
Abstract beauty in the sea.Vertigo in the feather, feather, feather
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
Close-up : Brown-lined puffer キタマクラ
Canthigaster rivulata (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Pretty but venomous
Brown-lined puffer is tiny pretty fish. It is often swimming around colorful soft coral woods. The Japanese name of this puffer is “KITAMAKUR”. KITA is north. MAKUR is a pillow.
In Japan, when people die, there is a custom of turning the head of the dead body to the north.
It means that you will die if you eat this fish, carelessly.
This fish is venomous like other Family Tetraodontidae.
The body of Brown-lined puffer is flatter than another puffer.
It is similar to an edible fish like the filefish. This sinister name is a warning that you should be careful not to make a mistake.
Macro : Chromodoris orientalis Rudman, 1983 シロウミウシ
Very simple but Beautiful
Chromodoris orientalis is feeding seaweed on a rock.
This nudibranch is commonly found at Owase. It is known as “Shiro-Umiushi=White sea slug” in Japanese common name.
Their fashion is very simple. So white body with black spots and orange-yellow fringe. That’s all.
Don’t you think it looks so stylish?
Macro :Messmate pipefish イシヨウジ
Corythoichthys haematopterus (Bleeker, 1851)
Tiny Pretty Doragon
It is seen at shallow coral reef.
Unexpectedly the swimming speed is fast.
It swims as crawling on the sandy bottom of the sea floor. The face with big eyes and long proboscis is like a pretty dragon in a cartoon.
Yap, Micronesia. Sept.1st.2016. -2m
Everything about underwater and sky 