I hope I don't offend anyone by posting more images that were not made in Baja. I am going to keep doing this until Doug tells me to knock it off or
there is a general uprising of protest.
Had two nice dives in Morro Bay last week and saw some nice nudibranchs. The Dirona was a first for me.
Janolus barbarensis, a really magnificent creature:
Dirona albolineata, first time for me:
This one deserves two views (actually this is a different individual, when it rains it pours
Fringehead, notice the little Hermissenda nudibranch just to the left of his head:
Little octopus on the piling:
Pretty little snail on an E. J. Gallo brandy bottle:
Little Papillosa nudibranch on the same popular brandy bottle: Paula - 7-21-2008 at 06:35 PM
Ken, I've missed seeing your photos lately, and these are beautiful! I think that under the sea is under the sea, and it should be immune from land
boundaries. Do nudibranchs (or is that nudibranches, or nudibranchi?) speak English or Spanish, and do they know the correct spelling?Don Alley - 7-21-2008 at 06:37 PM
Thanks for the post!
Can't imagine anyone complaining, after some of the posts on the board lately.
photos
tehag - 7-21-2008 at 06:45 PM
Waaaayyyy cool!!Bob H - 7-21-2008 at 07:04 PM
Wow, again, what fantastic images you make. Audrey and I were passing through Monterey Bay - went through the aquarium there and was thinking about
you and your photography. What a great aquarium that place is! I don't dive, so I was able to see the many creatures that you get to photograph for
real, plus 100's more.
Bob H
[Edited on 7-22-2008 by Bob H]
Again, great photos.
BMG - 7-21-2008 at 07:06 PM
I am in favor of granting Mr. Bondy a lifetime exemption regarding any rules about 'Baja only' photos.bacquito - 7-21-2008 at 07:11 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
I am in favor of granting Mr. Bondy a lifetime exemption regarding any rules about 'Baja only' photos.
I second the motion-all on favor?Wiles - 7-21-2008 at 07:36 PM
Ken,
Congrats on the Dirona sp. Always great to add another checkmark to the list.
Enjoyed them all.oldlady - 7-21-2008 at 07:42 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
I am in favor of granting Mr. Bondy a lifetime exemption regarding any rules about 'Baja only' photos.
I second the motion-all on favor?
Aye!lingililingili - 7-21-2008 at 08:16 PM
Absolutely gorgeous! Nature is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing things that I, for one, did not know existed!Sallysouth - 7-21-2008 at 10:53 PM
I will third the motion!! Ken, how small are those exquisite creatures? And how close can you get to them to take those pics? As Morgain said, they
look like Orogami figures. No one is complaining so far!Iflyfish - 7-21-2008 at 11:15 PM
Looks like Janolus barbarensis drank the kool aide!! Amazing, remarkable, incredible!! What an astounding creature...only on Nomads!!
Don't you ever get reverie of the deep looking at these amazing creatures? I would imagine that one must stay really clear about how much oxygen one
has left. The term Hypnotic come to mind.
[Edited on 7-22-2008 by Sharksbaja]Cypress - 7-22-2008 at 05:40 AM
Ken Bondy,Thanks for the beautiful pictures.Ken Bondy - 7-22-2008 at 06:47 AM
Thanks to all of you for the kind comments. Sally both of these nudibranchs are about an inch long and they were photographed at minimum focus which
is about 3-4 inches in front of the port, i.e., very close. ++Ken++
PS Iflyfish there is so much life under that old pier, and so many distractions, that you do have to keep careful track of your air. I am always
finding something on the way back to shore and balancing air with "did I get the shot"?? Fortunately it's only about 30 feet deep
[Edited on 7-22-2008 by Ken Bondy]Diver - 7-22-2008 at 07:23 AM
Always a pleasure to be underwater with you, Ken.
Thanks again !Ken Bondy - 7-22-2008 at 09:14 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
Ken, I've missed seeing your photos lately, and these are beautiful! I think that under the sea is under the sea, and it should be immune from land
boundaries. Do nudibranchs (or is that nudibranches, or nudibranchi?) speak English or Spanish, and do they know the correct spelling?
Thanks Paula. Plural of "nudibranch" is just "nudibranchs" and I
think they speak Spanglish. ++Ken++Natalie Ann - 7-22-2008 at 09:28 AM
Thank you thank you thank you, Ken! You've put a big smile in my morning.
First I thought the Janolus barbarensis had to be the most beautiful underwater creature you've shown us. But then I saw the Dirona, which is an
extraordinary critter - and Morgaine7 is right, it reminds me of translucent origami.
Question: On the wee octopus there is a little gold rectangle with black in the middle - looks like a teensy belt buckle. Is that his eye?
Nenatripledigitken - 7-22-2008 at 09:31 AM
Ken,
As always, beautiful photos. I have never seen a Dirona before, so many of these creatures don't even look like animals.
Thanks,
Kenelizabeth - 7-22-2008 at 10:40 AM
Again, absolutely spectacular photos. I don't care where you took them, I'd like to keep seeing them...I really want to see the Janolus
barbarensis...I can't believe you didn't just catch it and gold leaf it yourself! Any chance that one might mosey on down to the Sea of Cortez?Ken Bondy - 7-22-2008 at 12:04 PM
Thanks again for the nice comments. Nena that indeed is his eye, he's looking back at me. elizabeth thank you, Janolus is a cold water nudibranch, I
don't think he has ever been seen in the Sea of Cortez. The gold leaf is amazing on that animal - they invented it long before we did! ++Ken++Skipjack Joe - 7-22-2008 at 12:35 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Janolus barbarensis, a really magnificent creature:
Magnificent creature!
Ever since I first saw it in your upcoming book (how is that coming along anyway) I've had my eyes open for these guys. That reflective yellow is
really something. Looks almost unnatural.
I don't know if it's my new large monitor here at salesforce but these images seem to be exceptionally saturated and sharp.
You'll never hear me complain about your posts being not from baja. But it needs to be a level playing field for everyone. Which is fine by me. I was
never bothered by the images from Colombia.Wingnut - 7-22-2008 at 04:14 PM
Great photos Ken! Keep on with the shutterbug syndrome. And I vote for a lifetime exemption from any posting controls on your pictures, Baja or not.
They are simply outstanding....Ken Bondy - 7-22-2008 at 05:03 PM
Thanks Wingnut, you are too kind. Igor I didn't do anything unusual with these images, they are shot in RAW but very little manipulation applied. I
think it's the critters, not the photographer
The book is on hold, I haven't really done anything with it other than adding a section on the white sharks at Guadalupe. Thanks again for all the
nice comments, I thrive on these comments and really enjoy showing these on the Nomad board.
++Ken++Tomol - 7-23-2008 at 06:20 PM
You macro guys kill me. Such clarity and vibrancy. I'm envious. Beautiful stuff!marv sherrill - 7-24-2008 at 04:12 PM
awesome again Ken - always a delight to see your pics - have you ever been in contact with Hans Borsch (Common invertebrates of the sea of cortez) -
another nudibranch aficionado!bajajudy - 7-24-2008 at 04:17 PM
WOW
Thanks, Ken
I, too, believe that your photos should be allowed. I am sure that we can all learn from them and look for these beautiful creatures when we are in
the waters of Baja....how is that for a tie-in!windgrrl - 7-24-2008 at 04:31 PM
I nominate the nutibranchs as honorary Nomads! What amazing pix and creatures, indeed.
Thank you so much - your photos are the much-needed gunk cleaner this board needs on a regular basis.
wDianaT - 7-24-2008 at 05:41 PM
OK, no poll needed---no disenters here. Just for the shear joy Ken's underwater photos bring to many of us, he should be granted the lifetime
exemption.
Once again, these photos are fantastic. I love that Janolus barbarensis--it is just beautiful.
But I always have a soft spot for the fringeheads you photograph---they just look kind of sad, annoyed, and something only a mother could really love.
Keep on posting---
Thanks
DianeSharksbaja - 7-25-2008 at 02:35 PM
I'm all for the exemption too. Ken is one of a kind.
I just shudder at the thought of seeing thousands of DKs' mug plastered pics with the Grand Canyon in the background!
Just some more Nomad humor...........Ken Bondy - 7-25-2008 at 08:47 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by marv sherrill
awesome again Ken - always a delight to see your pics - have you ever been in contact with Hans Borsch (Common invertebrates of the sea of cortez) -
another nudibranch aficionado!
Thanks marv. I think his name is Hans Bertsch. I have the book, co-authored by Alex Kerstitch. I think I met Hans briefly a long time ago when I
was active with an underwater photo group (Channel Islands Underwater Photographic Society). Do you know him?
++Ken++Bajafun777 - 7-25-2008 at 11:22 PM
Ken, "YOU THE MAN" like I mentioned in an earlier post I definately missed your photos. I get a kick out of showing them to the little nieces and
nephew and listening to their ooohs and ahhhhhs. These photos are what are pushing me to take up diving when I retire this year. I want to be able
and see more than when snorkling. How much did your camera system set you back in order to take such clear pictures underwater??? Did you get this
camera system at a dive shop or online??? Thanks again, and every time I see your name listed for a post I can not wait to see if pictures are
attached. Later----------------------- bajafun777Ken Bondy - 7-26-2008 at 10:10 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajafun777
Ken, "YOU THE MAN" like I mentioned in an earlier post I definately missed your photos. I get a kick out of showing them to the little nieces and
nephew and listening to their ooohs and ahhhhhs. These photos are what are pushing me to take up diving when I retire this year. I want to be able
and see more than when snorkling. How much did your camera system set you back in order to take such clear pictures underwater??? Did you get this
camera system at a dive shop or online??? Thanks again, and every time I see your name listed for a post I can not wait to see if pictures are
attached. Later----------------------- bajafun777
Thank you mucho bajafun777. I generally try not to think about how much all of these toys cost, but since you asked.....I think between the camera,
lenses, housing, ports, and strobes it's about 9 BTU's. What is a BTU you ask? A BTU is a "Basic Toy Unit". And here you thought it was a British
Thermal Unit - that's obsolete. 1 BTU = $1,000. The housing with ports was about 4 BTU, the camera and lenses about 3.5 BTU, and the 2 strobes about
0.75 BTU each.
I bought most of this stuff about 4 years ago in 2004 and I don't know how prices have changed since then. I do know that you can get a basic
underwater point-and-shoot outfit that will do a good job for a LOT less than this.
I buy all my stuff from Underwater Phototech in Derry, NH. They are a great company.
++Ken++
[Edited on 7-26-2008 by Ken Bondy]Skip_Mac - 7-27-2008 at 12:07 AM
Thanks Ken...for your wonderful photos...they make me feel a bit intimidated as your photo quality is exceptional. I am not a marine biologist, no
matter what some of my old professors told to groups on several tide pool field trips on the Alta California coast, but I am a major nudibranch fan.
I have watched many species on minus tides in Montana De Oro, Point Loma and on two islands off the Green Tortoise beach camp south of Loreto.
Stunning examples all...but I never got your quality photographs. Please tell me about your equipment and technique. I would love to preserve my
memories to share as well as you.. Sharks however,,are not my thing. Thank you.Ken Bondy - 7-27-2008 at 07:17 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Skip_Mac
Thanks Ken...for your wonderful photos...they make me feel a bit intimidated as your photo quality is exceptional. I am not a marine biologist, no
matter what some of my old professors told to groups on several tide pool field trips on the Alta California coast, but I am a major nudibranch fan.
I have watched many species on minus tides in Montana De Oro, Point Loma and on two islands off the Green Tortoise beach camp south of Loreto.
Stunning examples all...but I never got your quality photographs. Please tell me about your equipment and technique. I would love to preserve my
memories to share as well as you.. Sharks however,,are not my thing. Thank you.
Skip_Mac you are too kind. This will tell you probably WAY more than you ever wanted to know about my equipment and technique
Ken Bondy, I do again thank you for the oohhhhhhs and awwws that simply flow from my soul viewing your very special world. I just shared them with my
10 year old grandson, so now you have one more fan from the next generation in awe of your very special vision of our planet.marv sherrill - 7-27-2008 at 03:37 PM
Ken Yes I do know him - he stopped by the house in BOLA last month - Since Alex passed away in 2001, Hans is on his own doing the book - just thought
you would like to see some more of his pics or maybe contribute- keep up the good work - MarvSkip_Mac - 7-27-2008 at 07:05 PM
Ken Bondy, No I don't think I am too kind, but thanks for the thought. Your photographs have been a major draw for me on this site. I feel envious
of your opportunity to see such natural beauty so close...and of course i thank you for sharing... without which you would not be reading this
comment. Gracias and keep up the good work, you enrich many lives.elgatoloco - 7-29-2008 at 07:10 PM
Great stuff Ken! This is Baja related as those little nudis live in the Pacific! Macumba mattata!!
