Although being focused (harhar) on our cameras can make us miss things (my dive buddy never gets tired of recounting the times I missed a close approach of a shark while staring at some tiny critter), it can also help us see things we missed the first time around.

The flashy sea slug is a Co's Chromodoris, but in the bottom right you can see (somewhat fuzzy) a little crab. At least I think it's some kind of spider-crab. I didn't see that at all until the red claws caught my eye when looking at the slug on a big screen.

Sogod Bay, #Philippines #WeLoveSlugs #crustacean #scuba

Magnificent chromodoris, living up to its name.

This one of my my first "close-focus-wide-angle" attempts with a new lens. The technique has potential, but you need enough space to get the housing dome almost touching the subject. Here the distance to the focal plane is 14cm, which I'd guestimate is 1-2 cm from the surface of the dome.

Sogod Bay, #Philippines
#scuba #WeLoveSlugs #CFWA

Ceratosoma trilobatum nudibranch. Sogod Bay #Philippines

I really like front perspective on these, but getting enough depth of field to get all the sticky-outy bits in focus is hard. Here I prioritized the brachia in the back.

#Scuba #WeLoveSlugs

Let's talk about nonlethal slugs.

Another Lovely headshield slug, Sogod Bay, #Philippines

#scuba #WeLoveSlugs

A pair of Lovely Headshield slugs, Sogod Bay, #Philippines

No really, Lovely is part of the name. We went on one dive where found literally hundreds of these in a patch of coral. I don't know if they always live there, or something special was going on. Compared to typical shallow reef, there was not much else going on, so the slugs really stood out.

#scuba #WeLoveSlugs

Brown patch carminodoris, Sogod Bay, #Philippines

I am pretty sure this critter is supposed to have two rhinophores (sense organ on the right). I can sortof convince myself there is a gap where a second one is supposed to be closer to the viewer.

#scuba #WeLoveSlugs

Gold and purple chromodoris, Sogod Bay, #Philippines

Presumably the bright colours are meant to discourage predators, but in my case it kindof backfires. Doesn't it look like a delicious lemon flavoured treat? Non-vegan, alas.

#scuba #WeLoveSlugs

Elizabeth's Chromodoris, Sogod Bay, #Philippines

#scuba #WeLoveSlugs

Kunie's chromodoris, Sogod Bay, #Philippines

#scuba #WeLoveSlugs

Painted thecacera nudibranch, Sogod Bay.

One of the things I love about diving in the Philippines is that there is so much visible biodiversity that almost every dive means identifying something new. I guess with about 70 dives split across two different islands, I'm still in the "Honeymoon phase".

#philippines #scuba #WeLoveSlugs