'Patterns of Diversity' Article in Sport Diving Magazine

My article entitled 'Patterns of Diversity' has been published in the new issue (129) of Sport Diving Magazine which is available throughout Australasia.  It explores the biodiversity of tropical reefs and the reasons for the patterns found across the world.  I find this subject fascinating and I hope you do too!

Lembeh Images Uploaded

I have posted images from a recently short trip to Lembeh.  Some highlights were a multitude of Ambon scorpionfish, an apparently undescribed nocturnal octopus, Lembeh velvetfish and a host of ghost pipefishes (Ornate, Robust, Delicate, and Rough Snout).  We stayed at NAD which was excellent in terms of accommodation, guides, food and price.

The Great Barrier Reef

Just a note to let you know the pictures from my recent trip up to the reef will be posted soon.  We had some great dives and it was interesting to see a reef without much fishing pressure.  I was also really pleased to find a hairy ghost pipefish at one site.  I've never seen one of these before so that was really brilliant!

Images from Paradise Dancer

Just a quick one to let you all know that I have posted the images from my recent trip aboard the Paradise Dancer.  She sailed, for her maiden voyage, out of Manado and visited Bunaken, Lembeh and the northern islands.  She is an excellent boat and we had some great dives.  Check out the pictures at www.OceanRealmImages.com/gallery

Photographer's Responsibility!

With the new issue of FiNS (Vol 7.3) my article 'A Photographer's Responsibility' is published.  This is quite a controversial subject but, I think very important.  Often photographers have a very bad reputation for damaging the reef and traumatising its inhabitants.  I find these habits quite distressing and completely unnecessary so was compelled to write this article.  I hope you enjoy it and it gives you something to think about.

Column Continues

The new issue of FiNS is now available for download.  My regular column 'Really Richard?' continues, this time helping distinguish between two species very dear to me - Denise's and Bargibant's pygmy seahorses!  If I happen to be on a trip with you there will be no excuse for not knowing the difference!

Enjoy!

Coral Reefs Publication

Hi there,

My publication in the scientific journal Coral Reefs has recently been released which describes the birth of Hippocampus denise that I witnessed at Wakatobi Resort, Sulawesi Indonesia in December 2007.  Included are two images of the male giving birth to the last of the brood.  This individual was trapped temporarily after its 6-7 siblings were released 30 seconds before.  I hope you enjoy reading about these fascinating little creatures!

Richard