Steve Parish’s Post

Remember the other day I mentioned the amazing "tree" at 40 meters? Today, we made it our mission to capture an image of this incredible underwater structure and the school of fish around it. Before diving into the experience, let’s learn a bit about it. The tree-like structure is actually called a black coral. Despite its green appearance, if you remove the outer layer, it’s black. Black corals belong to the order Antipatharia and can be found all over the world at various depths. They are typically known as deep-sea corals and can be abundant in certain areas. Contrary to their name, black corals are rarely black but come in colors ranging from white to red, green, yellow, or brown. They can take on different shapes, from small bushes to fans to single stalks. Unlike stony corals, black corals have a skeleton made of protein and chitin (the same material as an insect skeleton). They also do not have symbiotic algae associated with them, allowing them to thrive in depths where light is absent. So, one, two, three—go! Holding the camera in my right hand and my mask in my left, I started descending slowly, equalizing as I went. At 14 meters, I still couldn’t see the ocean floor, which is when the nerves kicked in. At 29 meters, and then finally at 38, I placed the camera down and took a moment to relax. My colleagues and friends had the same mission: to get a picture near the black coral. The pressure was on, thanks to Tony. I had to think about exposure, composition, light, and had only about 3 minutes at that depth before ascending. The deeper you go, the more oxygen you consume, so it was a balance between survival and storytelling underwater. It was an intense experience, and I’m happy to share it with this one frame of an image. If you like the image, let me know—I’d be happy to have it printed to support the TonyWild Foundation’s conservation impact program. 🌊📸 #underwaterphotography #blackcoral #marinelife #oceanconservation #deepseadiving #naturephotography #divingadventures #conservationimpact #supportconservation @newfcommunity

Sailing on the Arctic Ice - Svalbard - Arctic In Svalbard, sailing on the Arctic ice is an experience that leaves a mark on you forever. The crunch of the ice under the keel of the boat, like an ancestral melody, envelops you in a deep silence that transports you to a world of inner peace.🎶 The cold wind caresses your face, the silence envelops you and connects you with nature in its purest state.🌬️ A silence that allows you to reflect, connect with your inner self and feel the immensity of the environment. However, this silence also whispers a warning: the Arctic ice is melting, and in a short time, navigation will be easier, but it will also be a sign of the fragility of our planet.🌎 #Svalbard #Arctic #Fotografia #Photographer #tedtalks #Journalist #Reporter @oceanwideexp #arcticadventure #oceanwideexp #oceanwideexpeditions #svalbardtrip #bestplacestogo #thequietraveller Oceanwide Expeditions

In biology, any group of fish that stay together for social reasons are shoaling, and if the group is swimming in the same direction in a coordinated manner, they are schooling. In common usage, the terms are sometimes used rather loosely. About one quarter of fish species shoal all their lives, and about one half shoal for part of their lives. Fish derive many benefits from shoaling behaviour including defence against predators, enhanced foraging success, and higher success in finding a mate. It is also likely that fish benefit from shoal membership through increased hydrodynamic efficiency. Fish use many traits to choose shoalmates. Generally they prefer larger shoals, shoalmates of their own species, shoalmates similar in size and appearance to themselves, healthy fish, and kin. The oddity effect posits that any shoal member that stands out in appearance will be preferentially targeted by predators. This may explain why fish prefer to shoal with individuals that resemble themselves. The oddity effect thus tends to homogenize shoals. How many fish did you count? It looks amazing isn't it? For more amazing underwaterphotography please follow my Instagram Diving Tips and Stories #schoolsoffish #fishschool #manyfish #traveltipsandstories #plentyoffishinthesea #PlentyofFish #rajaampatdiving #divingtipsandstories #fishvideo #divingrajaampat #underwaterphotographer #underwatervideographer #underwatervideography #seavideo #oceanvideos #bestdivesites #goprounderwater #underwaterexperience #underwaterexplorer #padidiving #divingwithfriends #macrodiving #macrophotographyworld #macrovideography #underwatermacrophotographer #underwatermacrophoto #underwatermovie #padiadvanced #deepdivers #deepdive

No matter your visceral reactions to creatures of eight legs, their ingenuity and charm as little engineers are undeniable. In honor of Be Kind to Spiders Week(!), today we are featuring one of our cleverest arachnid friends: the diving bell spider. The diving bell spider constructs its home in much the same manner as land-dwelling spiders: by extruding silken threads from spinnerets in its abdomen and fastening them to plants. However, there's a catch: it does this all underwater. Once its aquatic web is built, the diving bell spider adds a light coat of a protein-based goo to the silky strands. Both the web silk and the goo are hydrophilic, or water-loving, and together they create a loosely woven sheet of material and water that traps an air reservoir below. To grow the reservoir, the spider swims to the surface, sticks its abdomen and rear legs into the air, and traps an air bubble as it resubmerges, thanks to its body geometry and tiny, feather-shaped water-repelling hairs. The spider then swims down and releases the bubble underneath its web, repeating this process until it builds up a suitable oxygen-rich air chamber. Once built, as a spider breathes inside its bubble home and uses up oxygen, carbon dioxide is forced to diffuse out and exchange with fresh oxygen from the surrounding water. If the oxygen concentration in the bubble declines more rapidly than diffusion can replenish, the spider simply returns to the surface to grab more air. In the future, a diving bell spider’s ability to trap air against its body may inspire coatings for ships that hold air to reduce rusting, deter harmful microorganisms, and provide lubrication for energy efficiency. Their submerged air reservoirs may even inspire underwater oxygen stores for human use. Next time you see one of our clever eight-legged co-habitants, maybe observe it for a moment, or at the very least, just smile and wave 👋 For more, visit: https://lnkd.in/e6WdqGX9 #biomimicry #asknature #spiders #bekindtospiders #natureinspired #incrediblenature

In the waters off Rausu, Hokkaido, at a depth of about 25 meters, a massive creature was discovered, writhing and undulating. - https://lnkd.in/gJXXNJ2b HOKKAIDO, Jun 14 (News On Japan) - In the waters off Rausu, Hokkaido, at a depth of about 25 meters, a massive creature was discovered, writhing and undulating. The photographer, who felt a sense of terror at the creature's size, shared his experience. Asahi Shimbun’s Nemuro bureau chief, Tomoyuki Yamamoto, who captured the footage, said, 'It looked like a rock. There are places on the sandy seabed of Rausu with many rocks. That huge rock wasn’t moving.' Yamamoto continued, 'Upon closer inspection, there were suction cups and eyes. Oh! It's an octopus.' The creature turned out to be a Pacific giant octopus (mizudako). This species is said to be the largest in the world, with an arm span of about 3 meters. Each arm of the mizudako has 250 to 300 suction cups, each measuring around 10 centimeters in diameter. Yamamoto explained, 'The suction cups are always clean and smooth, maintained to ensure strong adhesion. The strength is tremendous, so if the octopus attaches itself to you, you must rely on your diving partner to help you. It's difficult to do anything on your own.' Due to its powerful suction, caution is advised when approaching a mizudako compared to an ordinary octopus. Source: ANN https://lnkd.in/gXNjNbkh Source

In the waters off Rausu, Hokkaido, at a depth of about 25 meters, a massive creature was discovered, writhing and undulating. - https://lnkd.in/gJXXNJ2b HOKKAIDO, Jun 14 (News On Japan) - In the waters off Rausu, Hokkaido, at a depth of about 25 meters, a massive creature was discovered, writhing and undulating. The photographer, who felt a sense of terror at the creature's size, shared his experience. Asahi Shimbun’s Nemuro bureau chief, Tomoyuki Yamamoto, who captured the footage, said, 'It looked like a rock. There are places on the sandy seabed of Rausu with many rocks. That huge rock wasn’t moving.' Yamamoto continued, 'Upon closer inspection, there were suction cups and eyes. Oh! It's an octopus.' The creature turned out to be a Pacific giant octopus (mizudako). This species is said to be the largest in the world, with an arm span of about 3 meters. Each arm of the mizudako has 250 to 300 suction cups, each measuring around 10 centimeters in diameter. Yamamoto explained, 'The suction cups are always clean and smooth, maintained to ensure strong adhesion. The strength is tremendous, so if the octopus attaches itself to you, you must rely on your diving partner to help you. It's difficult to do anything on your own.' Due to its powerful suction, caution is advised when approaching a mizudako compared to an ordinary octopus. Source: ANN https://lnkd.in/gXNjNbkh Source

🎬 Getting Comfortable with Sharks Underwater 📸🦈 Are you drawn to the idea of diving into the world of underwater photography or videography but find yourself hesitant due to a fear of sharks? Here are some pointers that will assist you into becoming more comfortable around them. ✨🤿 🦈Sharks are not only beautiful marine beings but also fascinating subjects to film, photograph, study, and protect. Here's how you can conquer your fears and develop a profound appreciation for these apex predators; - Knowledge is key to overcoming fear, especially when it comes to sharks. Learn about different species, their behaviors, habitats, and ecological roles. Understanding their biology dispels myths and encourages empathy. - If you're new to diving with sharks, consider joining organized dives led by experienced instructors. Their expertise ensures your safety and promotes responsible interaction with sharks. - Treat sharks with respect by avoiding sudden movements or aggressive gestures. Maintain a calm presence and let the sharks dictate the pace of interaction. - Once comfortable, consider documenting sharks through photography and filming. Ethical practices prioritize the welfare of sharks and foster a deeper connection with these amazing creatures. - Take action to protect sharks and their habitats by supporting conservation organizations, advocating for policies, participating in beach clean-ups, and spreading awareness about marine ecosystem preservation. By embracing education, respect, and empathy, you can transcend fear and develop a profound appreciation for sharks. These ancient guardians of the ocean deserve our admiration and protection, not fear and persecution. So, dive in, explore the depths, and discover the beauty of sharks beneath the surface.✨🦈🤿 #underwaterphotography #underwatervideography #sharkphotography #sharkvideography #africamedia #sharks #southafrica #marineconservation #oceanconservation #sharkconservation

The manta is the world’s largest ray. It is closely related to stingrays, with its flattened body and long tail, and to sharks for their cartilaginous skeletons. There are only two types of Manta Rays: The ones you find in Komodo, Reef Mantas, with an average width of 5 meters and the Giant Manta, with and average width of 7 meters. Although these two species have different features and characteristics, they share the same diamond-shape body and wing-like pectoral fins, laterally placed eyes, and wide frontal mouths. Mantas are a pelagic species, and can be found in temperate, subtropical and tropical shallower waters. These animals are surprisingly smart, they have the largest brain of all fish, with especially developed areas for learning, problem solving and communicating. They are filter feeders and eat large quantities of zooplankton, which they swallow with their open mouths as they swim. Their average lifespan in the wild is over 20 years. A fun fact about them is that they have personal identifying spots under their bellies, much like our fingerprints. I found this Manta around Komodo Island. The name of this dive site was "Shot gun"! It is beautiful isn't it? So peaceful I would like to thank SCUBA JUNKIE for their service and help to make this happen! Follow also my other social media Travel Tips and Stories for more amazing photos and videos! #divingtipsandstories #traveltipsandstories #divingexperience #komododiving #scubajunkies #scubajunkie #mantamanta #mantaray #underwaterphotographyguide #underwaterphotographer #underwatervideography #onderwatervideo #onderwaterfotografie #mantadive #komodoindonesia #indonesiadiving #indonesiadivingtrip #marinelifeconservation #marinelifeprotection #sealifeadventure #padi5stardivecentre #padidivemaster #AdvancedLevel #AdvancedOpenWater #divesites #bestdive #divingchallenge #GoProHERO12 #goprounderwater #goprodiving

This quick-flying sprite of small streams, channels, and ponds is Chloroceryle americana, AKA the Green Kingfisher. At about 8 1/2” long, it's roughly the same length as a Northern Cardinal, but lighter — although its outsized bill may make it look larger. 🐦 🌊The Green Kingfisher is just one of 120 species in the Kingfisher family– which is so diverse that it has been divided into three subfamilies. The Green Kingfisher is a member of the Cerylinae subfamily, or “water kingfishers.” Like other diving birds, such as the Common Loon, kingfishers have visual adaptations that give them binocular vision underwater, enabling them to judge depth when capturing prey.🐟 Nictitating membranes (third eyelids) protect its eyes underwater like a pair of goggles. 🥽 Learn more about this “streamside sprite” and access ABC's full Bird of the Week library at https://lnkd.in/gzpKipjZ. #GreenKingfisher #ChloroceryleAmericana #BirdOfTheWeek