The Biggest and Smallest Creatures in Dauin, Philippines

By Gary Williams

Some divers like to go muck diving, and swim around in the sand and mud looking for little critters.  Other divers are more interested in the big things, like turtles, sharks or even corals. When you go on trips, dive masters usually lead you around the sites, and more importantly, keep track of you.

On a recent trip to the Philippines, Seasick Productions put together an amazing trip where we could dive big animals, like whale sharks, to the smallest of animals that required a diopter.  This provided lots of opportunities to take pictures, and use several of my lens from fisheye to macro, depending on the subject for the day. 

Although I personally do not shoot macro often, this was a perfect opportunity to do more of it.  Of course, there were times when the macro was too big of a lens - like taking a picture of a stonefish, just as there are times when a wide angle won’t get a good shot - like taking a picture of a nudibranch.  With the big cameras, those are the choices you must make.

All of these pictures were taken with a Canon R5 inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing with dual DS-161 Strobes.

 

Photo Gallery

Small stuff is all over the place in Dauin, you just have to go slow and have a little bit of luck.

Ghost Pipefish. Occasionally found on the dives. RF 100 MM macro lens • F/22 • 1/160 • ISO 800. © Gary Williams

 

Marine File Snake. This was a very unusual find, with the moss growing on it.  It took days to identify the snake.  Canon RF 100MM macro • F/22 • 1/160 • ISO 800. © Gary Williams

 

Ribbon Eel. It takes some patience to wait for the eel to come out of its hole.  Canon RF 100MM macro • F/8 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

Nudibranch. I'm not good at identifying species.  RF 100MM Macro • F/13 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

For some of the even smaller stuff, the INON UCL-165 from Ikelite was a big help. Getting some of the pictures that point and shoot or GoPros could not get.

Juvenile Frogfish. This little guy was less than an inch long. The INON UCL-165 from Ikelite really made the difference here to get this picture along with my RF 100MM macro. F/8 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

Nudibranch. There are many species of nudibranchs. RF 100MM Macro. F/8 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

Skeleton Shrimp. This little guy was not maybe as thin as fishing line.  The INON UCL-165 from Ikelite again allowed me to get this picture that otherwise might have been impossible.  RF 100MM • F/8 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

Glass Shrimp. Another small critter, but the UCL-165 is great!  RF 100MM Macro • F/13 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

There was some big stuff too!

Apo Island Coral. Beautiful large coral gardens.  Canon RF 14-35 MM • 25MM • F/22 • 1/50 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

Turtle Snacking. Turtle snacking on the coral, with sea grapes on the lower right.  Canon RF 14-35M • 35MM • F/9 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

Sea Snake. Back out at Apo Island, this sea snake worked its way through the reef.  RF 14-35MM • 35MM • F/9 • 1/160 • ISO 200. © Gary Williams

 

Gary Williams has always loved the ocean from growing up by the beach, surfing, sailing, and diving. His experience with diving has brought him to many countries, and is a volunteer diver at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. He loves to share his experiences and appreciation for the ocean with non-divers, whether through work associates or aquarium guests. His most recent camera for underwater is a Canon R5 in a 200DL housing with dual DS161 strobes. Learn more about Gary and see his full photography gallery at www.garysworldofimages.com.

 

Additional Reading

Why Your Lens May Need a +4 Diopter Underwater

Go Small or Go Home: Macro Photography in the Philippines

Featured Customers | Gary Williams Swimming with Whales

Featured Customers | The Exumas Expedition

What Makes Diving in the Philippines Unique? [VIDEO]

Maintaining Your Macro Eye | Using Underwater Techniques on Land