Here's some photographs from a recent trip to the Maldivian island of Velidhu. All the Maldive islands are amongst the world's best for snorkelling and of the handful that I've visited Velidhu stands out for the sheer variety of fish and easy accessibility of the house reef (no boat required).
All photographs were taken with a humble Canon S50 P&S housed in the official Canon case. The camera mode was Tv, flash on, 1/250s (the x-sync speed).
Click on an image for more details. Hope you like them, comments welcome!
1. Blotched Porcupinefish
A cute looking box-shaped fish. Quite a timid character that will head for the rocks if you get too close then peer out at you until you leave.
2. Convict Surgeonfish
The safety-in-numbers approach to feeding. It was quite an experience to find myself drifting with this school as they approached me from behind and surged past oblivious to my presence.
3. Coral
Unfortunately I don't know the proper name for this coral and I'd like to hear from anyone who does. I do know enough about the rules of the sea to know that anything that looks like this is giving off a clear message to possible predators...
4. Four Saddle Grouper
A well camouflaged fish that likes to sit on rocks supported by its forward fins.
5. Hawksbill Turtle
I couldn't believe my luck when I saw this turtle. I was so surprised I almost swallowed my snorkel! He was about a meter long and was feeding by biting chunks from the rock and didn't seem to care at all that I was swimming a few meters away photographing him. A memorable experience.
