Underwater Photography

Aerial Photography Midriff Islands Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Diving Islas San Lorenzo in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

After two days diving the waters around Isla San Pedro Martir, the Rocio del Mar departed with an overnight passage to a small group of islands to our northwest, Islas San Lorenzo. We spent only one day diving here, so I did not get to know the area as well…

Phil CollaDecember 16, 2024

Aerial Photography Midriff Islands Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Diving Isla San Pedro Martir in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

After two days diving Isla Angel de la Guarda, we made an overnight crossing to Isla San Pedro Martir, a spectacular and remote island in the middle of the Sea of Cortez. Isla San Pedro Martir is a critical habitat for sea birds, and indeed the island is covered in…

Phil CollaDecember 15, 2024

Aerial Photography Midriff Islands Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Diving Isla Angel de la Guarda in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

Midriffs Trip part 1 of 3: In July I spent a week diving the Midriff Islands in the Northern part of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). I had never been to these islands and had wanted to see them for decades to go along with the many other…

Phil CollaDecember 12, 2024

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Fall 2024

I managed several trips in October and November to the Coronado Islands, in northern Baja California just south of San Diego, to dive with California Sea Lion pups (Zalophus californianus) at the "Lobster Shack" rookery. I try to visit each fall when the combination of dive conditions and sea lion…

Phil CollaDecember 9, 2024

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2023

As I try to do every year, I did some diving at the Coronado Islands in October and November to watch California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Islas Coronado lie just south of the US border about 10 miles offshore of Tijuana, Mexico. The group of four islands and some rocks…

Phil CollaDecember 12, 2023

Catalina Fish Underwater Photography

Photos of Giant Sea Bass Courtship, Mating and Spawning Groups at Catalina Island

Giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas) are an enormous species of wreckfish (not a true bass) found in the kelp forests of California. Once known as "jewfish" and later as "black sea bass", giant sea bass are one of the most thrilling fish species divers will encounter in California. They are…

Phil CollaJuly 25, 2023

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

A Huge Mellow California Sea Lion Bull, and a Sea Lion Pup’s Odd Coat

My efforts to photograph California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) this fall were not as productive as in the past, due to a combination of cancelled trips, poor weather, dirty water and a lack of sunshine. But on my last scheduled day diving in the Coronados this year I did have a…

Phil CollaDecember 23, 2022

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lion Pups: Instagram Models and Another Runway Image

This year has been a challenge as far as diving locally is concerned. I had multiple trips planned to Mexico's Coronado Islands but so far only one has really produced any good diving and images. Here are some photographs from a single long dive at Lobster Shack, enjoying the company…

Phil CollaDecember 2, 2022

Fur Seal Guadalupe Island Mexico Underwater Photography

Guadalupe Fur Seal Photos Underwater, Isla Guadalupe, Mexico

Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi) can be found in small colonies along Guadalupe Island, resting in shallow water and hauled out on rocks. In fact, their coloration is such a fine match for the dark volcanic rocks that make up the coastline of Guadalupe Island that they are often hard to…

Phil CollaNovember 10, 2022

Argentina Underwater Photography Whales

New Photos of Southern Right Whales in Argentina, Eubalaena australis

After a three year break, I made it back to Peninsula Valdes with friends in September for another visit with Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis). There were two sessions planned and I was looking forward to both. The first was filled with sunny weather, inquisitive whales and generally great conditions.…

Phil CollaNovember 8, 2022

Argentina Underwater Photography Whales

Courtship and Mating Groups Among Southern Right Whales

Courting groups of whales are spectacular. I have seen many humpback courting groups (aka, active groups, or heat runs, although the latter is misleading) in Hawaii and, at one time in my life, was tasked with getting in the water to determine who the focal animals were (female and male)…

Phil CollaOctober 26, 2022

Argentina Sea Lion Underwater Photography

South American Sea Lions, Otaria flavescens, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina

When I was in Argentina recently to photograph southern right whales, one of our secondary goals was to also photograph South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens), aka "southern sea lions". In 2019 we had spent a little time with them near Puerto Madryn, but that rookery is heavily visited…

Phil CollaOctober 24, 2022

California San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

San Clemente Island Underwater: a Symphony of Sea Fans, or, Gonzo for Gorgonians

San Clemente Island is one of my favorite places to dive. Maybe my favorite. I have almost certainly logged more time on a scuba tank here than anywhere else, hundreds of hours. And almost all of those dives have been made jumping off the deck of the M/V Horizon and…

Phil CollaOctober 22, 2022

Catalina Underwater Photography

Torpedo Ray at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California

One of the best places in the world to see large Pacific torpedo rays (Tetronarce californica) is Farnsworth Banks, the notorious and spectacular underwater seamount a few miles off the backside of Catalina Island. Torpedo rays are often encountered cruising around the peaks and canyons of Farnsworth Banks. What draws…

Phil CollaJanuary 15, 2022

Catalina San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

Kelp Forest Redux – San Clemente and Catalina Islands, and My Circular Fisheye

"Redux" is a bit of an overstatement, since Southern California's giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), which has not looked good in recent years, is certainly not recovered. Spotty, stands of kelp here and there, but much of the vast, magnificent underwater forests at San Clemente Island and Catalina have been in…

Phil CollaJanuary 8, 2022

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2021

This is the last in my "Southern California Bight Sampler (Post-Covid?)" series: Coronado Islands Refresher San Clemente Island's Kelp Forests Catalina Island's West End Farnsworth Banks San Diego Wrecks Coronado Islands - Sea Lions in Fall Each Fall I look forward to spending time in the shallow waters of a…

Phil CollaNovember 9, 2021

California Catalina Underwater Photography

The Primary Colors of Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island

I managed to make four successful trips to Farnsworth Banks this year, with one more planned in a few weeks. I managed to take many photos, including a few that I was happy with. The top of Farnsworth Banks lies at a depth of about 60', with most of the…

Phil CollaSeptember 28, 2021

Catalina Underwater Photography

The Yellow Wall of Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island

Farnsworth Banks, the notorious and spectacular offshore seamount on the backside of Catalina Island, offers something I have seen nowhere else in California -- an enormous monospecific wall of zoanthid anemones. This single colony is so impressive it has earned itself the moniker "Yellow Wall", and exhibits some of the…

Phil CollaSeptember 28, 2021

California Invertebrate Natural World Underwater Photography

Corynactis Californica, the Strawberry “Anemone”, California’s only Corallimorph

Corallimorphs, the coral-like and anemone-like members of the order Corallimorpharia, hold a special place in my underwater photography career. Circa 1990, when I began taking a water camera on my dives, I only had equipment to photograph tiny critters. Of those, ones that did not move were best suited to…

Phil CollaAugust 19, 2021

California Catalina Underwater Photography

Farnsworth Banks, Purple Hydrocoral, and Catalina Backside Kelp Forests

This is the fourth in my "Southern California Bight Sampler (Post-Covid?)" series: Coronado Islands Refresher San Clemente Island's Kelp Forests Catalina Island's West End Farnsworth Banks San Diego Wrecks Coronado Islands - Sea Lions in Fall JTNDaHIlMjAlMkYlM0U=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 had not been to Farnsworth Banks, a seamount on the backside of Catalina,…

Phil CollaJuly 21, 2021

California Catalina Underwater Photography

Catalina West End – Kelp Forests and Garibaldi

This is the third in my "Southern California Bight Sampler (Post-Covid?)" series: Coronado Islands Refresher San Clemente Island's Kelp Forests Catalina Island's West End Farnsworth Banks San Diego Wrecks Coronado Islands - Sea Lions in Fall JTNDaHIlMjAlMkYlM0U=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Much of the underwater terrain of Catalina Island has been bereft of kelp for…

Phil CollaJuly 11, 2021

California San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

San Clemente Island’s Kelp Forests

This is the second in my "Southern California Bight Sampler (Post-Covid?)" series: Coronado Islands Refresher San Clemente Island's Kelp Forests Catalina Island's West End Farnsworth Banks San Diego Wrecks Coronado Islands - Sea Lions in Fall JTNDaHIlMjAlMkYlM0U=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San Clemente Island, and in particular the southern end of the island, is where…

Phil CollaJune 1, 2021

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions at the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Fall is the best time to dive with young California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Most pups are born in May and June, and by September they have become strong enough to swim and will venture out from the rocks on which they live into shallow water. A sea lion colony…

Phil CollaNovember 22, 2020

Canada Hornby Island Sea Lion Underwater Photography

So You Want to Dive with Steller Sea Lions? This is What You Can Look Forward To.

I've spent a lot of time diving with sea lions and love it. There is no bad sea lion dive (with one exception which I'll get to at the end). I have more photographs of them than I need, but I will keep diving with and photographing sea lions until…

Phil CollaAugust 3, 2020

Bahamas Sharks Underwater Photography Wildlife

New Tiger Shark Photographs (Galeocerdo Cuvier), Bahamas

I made new tiger shark photos in the Bahamas on my last trip there. Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are really impressive fish, capable predators and in control of their surroundings. It was a real pleasure spending hours in the water with them swimming around us. Tiger sharks are typically about…

Phil CollaMay 6, 2020

Underwater Photography Whales

The Greatest Muscles in the Animal Kingdom

You think you've got horsepower in your Lamborghini? You got nothing compared to what Mother Nature has conjured in the great whales. Having evolved to roam the open ocean their entire lives, sometimes at considerable speed, the great whales have the most impressive drive train in the animal kingdom, capable…

Phil CollaMay 2, 2020

Mexico Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) on Black Coral (Antipatharia), Sea of Cortez, Mexico

The last time I was diving in the Sea of Cortez, I decided to try to photograph the longbill hawkfish in black coral. My friend Mike took us to dive on his namesake reef, a secret spot north of La Paz with reefs that are spectacularly lush and covered with…

Phil CollaApril 30, 2020

California Ocean Sunfish San Diego Underwater Photography

Diver Encounters a Gigantic Enormous Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) near San Diego

San Diego is the world's best place to see the giant ocean sunfish (Mola mola). I have made many trips offshore with my dive buddies to find ocean sunfish, sometimes as far as 40 miles out where the water is blue, warm and clear. Occasionally we will find one or…

Phil CollaApril 27, 2020

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Lobster Shack, Coronado Islands, Mexico

I try to reach Lobster Shack at North Coronado Island each fall to dive with California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Some years are better than others but generally the months of October and November offer superb encounters with these gregarious young pinnipeds. I say young because in fact the gangs…

Phil CollaMarch 30, 2020

Canada Hornby Island Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Underwater Photos of Steller Sea Lions, Eumetopias jubatus, British Columbia

In January I made another trip to Hornby Island to photograph Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus). This is some of the most exciting scuba diving that can be done anywhere in the world and is not for the faint of heart! Steller sea lions are some of the largest pinnipeds in…

Phil CollaMarch 25, 2020

Argentina Underwater Photography Whales

Underwater Photos of Southern Right Whales, Eubalaena australis

In September 2019 I was able to visit Puerto Piramides, a town on Peninsula Valdes on the coast of Argentina, to photograph Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis). This had been a dream of mine since the 90s when I was active in humpback whale research in the Hawaiian Islands. One of…

Phil CollaMarch 10, 2020

Argentina Sea Lion Underwater Life Underwater Photography

South American Sea Lion, Patagonia, Argentina

I was in Patagonia recently to photograph Southern Right Whales. While there, my friends and I took a morning to visit South American Sea Lions (Otaria flavescens) near the coastal city of Puerto Madryn. A resident colony of South American sea lions is there, and it is relatively simple to…

Phil CollaMarch 10, 2020

Fiji Underwater Photography

The Insanely Beautiful Coral Reefs of Fiji

If I had but one tropical location to dive for the rest of my life, it would be coral reefs of Fiji's Bligh Waters. A labyrinth of current-swept coral reefs, Bligh Water reefs are covered with an insane profusion of colorful soft corals. Reaching out from the hard coral substrate…

Phil CollaAugust 5, 2019

Browning Pass Canada Underwater Photography Vancouver

The Spectacular Underwater Reefs of Browning Pass, British Columbia

There it is in a few aerial photos, Browning Pass, site of some of the finest diving in the world. Cold, with nutrient rich current-laden waters, Browning Pass supports some of the richest, most profuse reefs I have seen anywhere in my diving career. Browning Pass aerial photo, with Nigei…

Phil CollaJuly 19, 2019

Fiji Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

A Sampling of Fiji Marine Creatures

Aerial View of Vatu-i-Ra Coral Seascape, Fiji Image ID: 34691 Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Bligh Waters, Viti Levu Island, Fiji On my last trip to Fiji the goal was to make expansive wide-angle images of the spectacular coral reefs of the Fiji's Bligh Waters, of which the Vatu-i-ra Seascape…

Phil CollaJuly 10, 2019

Browning Pass Canada Underwater Photography

Marine Creatures of Browning Pass and God’s Pocket 2019

In early 2019 I returned with my cameras and dry suit to God's Pocket, a tiny and remote diving lodge on Hurst Island near the top of Vancouver Island, for a few weeks of the world's best cold-water diving. Damn it was great, I mean Really Great. I've been diving…

Phil CollaJuly 8, 2019

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Cyclops the Strange-Eyed California Sea Lion

In December I spent a day diving the Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California in Mexico, home to one of the better California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) rookeries within a reasonable drive. The water was off-color so I did not make any beautiful images but I did encounter Cyclops the…

Phil CollaMay 12, 2019

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lion Pups in the Coronado Islands

In early November I spent a day diving with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Lobster Shack at the North Island was place to be since that's where a great colony of sea lions is. Conditions were excellent, about as good as diving in the Coronados gets. Photographer friend Allison had…

Phil CollaDecember 31, 2018

California Underwater Photography

SCUBA Diving the Southern California Oil Rigs

I've recently made a few more dives underneath the oil rigs (platforms) off Southern California. Platform Eureka stands alone in 700' of water and is my favorite. The twins, Platforms Ellen and Elly, lie in 260' of water. Depending on how recently the structure has been cleaned of invertebrate life, one…

Phil CollaDecember 20, 2018

Blue Whale California Underwater Photography

A Few New Blue Whale Photos

A huge blue whale swims through the open ocean in this underwater photograph. The blue whale is the largest animal ever to live on Earth. Image ID: 34567 Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus Location: San Diego, California, USA Blue whales have been in our area recently. Not too long ago…

Phil CollaJuly 14, 2018

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