BajaNomad - Sea of Cortez Photos

Sea of Cortez Photos

Ken Bondy - 6-13-2008 at 08:36 AM

Cortez angelfish, Sea of Cortez icon:

Juvenile Clarion angelfish:

Barberfish at Las Animas:

Nudibranch on sea fan, from the reef right in front of Hotel Punta Pescadero:

Longnosed hawkfish in black coral (the yellow stuff), wreck of the Salvatierra, La Paz channel:

Pacific manta ray, Isla San Benedicto:

DianaT - 6-13-2008 at 08:49 AM

Well,

I could post all of my usual comments to your photos---fantastic, just beautiful, wonderful, ---but I have already used those.

Need to find a good word to really cover your amazing underwater photos-----I really LOVE seeing them.

My favorite is the first one because of the expression on his/her face.

Thanks
Diane

[Edited on 6-13-2008 by jdtrotter]

Natalie Ann - 6-13-2008 at 09:12 AM

Interesting photos, Ken - and beautiful, too.

Just as Diane likes the expression of fish #1,
I especially like the flirtatious look of that juvie angel fish.

Nena

[Edited on 6-13-2008 by Natalie Ann]

bajaboolie - 6-13-2008 at 09:38 AM

Gasp...such great photos! I always enjoy looking at your photo posts. Were these taken on a recent trip?

Cypress - 6-13-2008 at 09:46 AM

Ken Bondy, :wow:

Thanks.

Lauriboats - 6-13-2008 at 10:45 AM

Wow! Makes me want to grab my tanks. Thanks Lauri

Ahhh, more Bondycandy

Sharksbaja - 6-13-2008 at 10:45 AM

Very special, thanks! Spectacular colors!

Skipjack Joe - 6-13-2008 at 12:43 PM

Nice selection of images, Ken.

It hard to decide on a favorite as they are all different (well except the first two).

But I'm definitely partial to that longnose hawkfish one. There's a bit of a sense of mystery in it as the fish is coming out of the shadow. And the eye expression adds to it. I also like the framing as it separates the 'known world' from the 'darker side'.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it but that's how I see it today.

bill erhardt - 6-13-2008 at 04:01 PM

Great pictures, Ken!

Wiles - 6-13-2008 at 04:08 PM

Thanks Ken,

You are a talented underwater artist

tripledigitken - 6-13-2008 at 04:23 PM

Have missed your photos, Ken.

Thanks

Ken Bondy - 6-13-2008 at 04:56 PM

Thanks VERY much for all of the nice comments!

bajaboolie these are all old images (10-15 years). Every so often I get on a kick and scan some old slides.

++Ken++

[Edited on 6-13-2008 by Ken Bondy]

Ken Bondy - 6-13-2008 at 05:01 PM

BTW this is what that little Clarion angelfish grows up to look like. I think they are one of the world's most beautiful fish:

DianaT - 6-13-2008 at 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Bondy
BTW this is what that little Clarion angelfish grows up to look like. I think they are one of the world's most beautiful fish:

Thanks---what a contrast. That adult has a Mona Lisa look--it is a beautiful fish.

Diane

standingwave - 6-13-2008 at 05:28 PM

Thanks, Ken, for the great pictures. I've learned what to expect when I see your name beside a new thread in the Baja Photo Gallery Forum. New photos or old ones, bring 'em on... without fail they are a beautiful burst of colour that I look forward to and enjoy. Much appreciated.

gringorio - 6-14-2008 at 06:53 AM

Yes - really nice photos Ken... Thank you!

greg :tumble:

Wow! Just Beautiful.

ELINVESTIG8R - 6-14-2008 at 07:20 AM

Don Alley - 6-14-2008 at 07:31 AM

Wow, thanks for the great photos!

Ken Bondy - 6-14-2008 at 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by morgaine7
I love the contrast of textures and colors in the nudibranch shot. They are such splendid, fascinating creatures! This one almost seems to have a zipper pocket. Ken, are those remoras on the underside of the manta, or its ******??

Kate

Thanks Kate. Those are definitely remoras and not **** :biggrin:

++Ken++

Ken Bondy - 6-14-2008 at 07:48 AM

Kate here's a better view:

Iflyfish - 6-14-2008 at 07:50 AM

We are very fortunate indeed to have you posting on this site. Thanks again.

Iflyfish

bajaboolie - 6-14-2008 at 06:41 PM

Keep going through those old slides! They are amazing, and a good way to get a Baja fix.

lingililingili - 6-14-2008 at 08:45 PM

How beautiful! Thank you.

Skipjack Joe - 6-14-2008 at 09:51 PM

That's a great ray shot, Ken. It really does grow on you. It's the bottom of the surface of the sea that makes such a great background. Almost looks like clouds. But it's really unique to water. I bet you plan that background when you're setting up. Too much into the sun and it's glare. Too horizontal and it's all blue and no texture. I've seen this approach a lot with your shark images.

Ken Bondy - 6-14-2008 at 10:02 PM

Thanks Igor! I think about backgrounds but honestly when you are around those big sharks and rays the adrenaline gets flowing and instinct takes over. Other than framing the animal the rest is largely luck. I try to get a sunburst in all of my wide-angle photos if I can, it adds a nice touch I think. Your comment about clouds is interesting. In the first manta image I posted in this thread, there is an actual cloud visible. That was a magical experience at Isla San Benedicto, clean water, bright sunny day, big mantas anxious to interact with us, my best dive buddy, daughter Coleen right next to me, que mas quieres?? Thank you for the nice comments.
++Ken++

PS That last ray image is probably the best I have ever done. The only thing I don't like about it is there are some of my bubbles right near the manta's left eye. Kind of a nitpick but it always drives me crazy.

[Edited on 6-15-2008 by Ken Bondy]

Ken Bondy - 6-14-2008 at 10:26 PM

I am not a big fan of touching marine animals, but these mantas really seemed to demand it. Here is mija Coleen touching one. This gives you a good idea of how big the animal is:

toneart - 6-14-2008 at 10:50 PM

I am not sure if this question is too simple, but I don't know the answer: How does your daughter, or anyone that close, avoid getting zapped from the stinger/tail? Obviously she is confident that she wont get zapped, but that is not something one would try to learn on purpose. How do you get the experience to know it is safe?

The photos are breathtaking!

Ken Bondy - 6-15-2008 at 12:37 AM

toneart mantas don't have a stinger in their tail. Thanks for the nice comments on the photos. ++Ken++

toneart - 6-15-2008 at 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Bondy
toneart mantas don't have a stinger in their tail. Thanks for the nice comments on the photos. ++Ken++

I had a feeling my question was too simple. I hope my signature line helps to explain.

Bob H - 6-15-2008 at 12:55 PM

Wow, more wonderful images from Ken Bondy. What can you say - it's all been said.
Many Thanks Ken.
Bob H :yes:

bajaboolie - 6-16-2008 at 10:17 AM

Bubbles?? I had to look hard for them! We are our own worst critics...the shot is a-mazing bubbles and all.

Skipjack Joe - 6-16-2008 at 12:24 PM

Quote:

The two pictures seem to be of the same animal, Ken. However, the first one has head protrusions that are white on the outside and black on the inside. The second one with Coleen seem to be black outside and in.

Que pasa?

Cypress - 6-16-2008 at 12:32 PM

Ken Bondy, Thanks,

Your pictures just keep getting better and mo better.

Ken Bondy - 6-17-2008 at 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Bondy
I am not a big fan of touching marine animals, but these mantas really seemed to demand it. Here is mija Coleen touching one. This gives you a good idea of how big the animal is:

The two pictures seem to be of the same animal, Ken. However, the first one has head protrusions that are white on the outside and black on the inside. The second one with Coleen seem to be black outside and in.

Que pasa?

Igor, both pictures are of the same animal. Their cephalic fins are all white on one side (the first image with the cephalic fins unfurled in the feeding position). The other side of the cephalic fins are almost all black. The ray furls (curls, coils, what's the right word?) the fins when it is not feeding. When they are furled (the second image with Coleen) you see that black and white candy cane/barber pole effect. Does that make any sense?
++Ken++