January 2016

Mexico Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions underwater, Sea of Cortez, Mexico Image ID: 31205 Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico In October, Tracy and I joined our friends Mike and Sherry, Skip, Shirley, Barb and Walt for 9 wonderful days diving in the Sea of Cortez…

Phil CollaJanuary 29, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Dendronephthya Soft Corals

In my experience Dendronephthya soft corals are the most spectacular and photogenic of the myriad invertebrate denizens of tropical coral reefs. "Soft coral" is a broad term, often used to describe gorgonians, leather corals, cup corals, sea whips, octocorals, etc etc that are found in all oceans of the world. The…

Phil CollaJanuary 24, 2016

Alaska Antarctica Bald Eagle California Fiji Hawaii Mexico Ocean Sunfish Penguin Surf Underwater Photography

Seven of my Favorite Images #challengeonnaturephotography

In December a Facebook "challenge" was making the rounds named #challengeonnaturephotography. One of my favorite underwater photographers, Allison Vitsky Sallmon, nominated me to give it a try, and these are the seven images I plucked from my files to share. Each bears a special place in my personal history of…

Phil CollaJanuary 16, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Chironephthya, Fiji’s “Other” Soft Coral

Fiji's Coral Reefs are known as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World" for good reason. Spectacular displays of colorful soft coral, usually Dendronepthya, are found on Fiji's coral reefs in abundance. I had done a fair bit of research before the trip and thought I knew what types of…

Phil CollaJanuary 6, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

Diving the Vatu-I-Ra Passage in Fiji’s Bligh Waters

See also: Photos of Fiji's Beautiful Coral Reefs The ocean waters between Fiji's Viti Levu and Vanua Levu islands are called the Bligh Waters after Captain William Bligh and his flight from mutineers. The Bligh Waters are famous among divers as they are home to some of the most spectacular…

Phil CollaJanuary 4, 2016