Unexplored Andamans: A scientist’s playground
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
Click a photo for a larger view
More often thought of as paradise for beach bums and scuba divers, the Andaman Islands are also a scientist’s playground, an alluring cache of uncharted island biodiversity. The archipelago lies about 1,200 kilometers from India in the middle of the Bay of Bengal.
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Tags: andaman and nicobar, andaman islands day gecko, conservation, emerging nations, environment, india, island, journalism, Phelsuma andamanensis, photography, wandoor, wildlife
Shy little bastard. Come out and play.
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
Not very funny for a clownfish.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, clownfish, conservation, diving, environment, fish, island, ocean, photography, sea, wildlife
Anemones are wicked photogenic
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
The home of yet another cheeky little clownfish
Tags: andaman and nicobar, anemone, anemonefish, clownfish, diving, environment, fish, india, island, ocean, photography, western clown, wildlife
Beautiful but excruciating
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
A prowling Common Lionfish
The visibility was lacking, but I caught this lionfish out stalking. They are solitary, predatory fish that aren’t common but usually can be spotted resting on or against the reef once or twice on a dive.
The fish has a wide of array of spined fins which deliver a powerful and horribly painful toxin, like all members of their family, Scorpaenidae. It’s not deadly but the pain can last for hours, according to divers who have been unfortunate enough to brush up against a lionfish.
During the day, they often park themselves motionless. When swimming in the open, they usually move slowly and deliberately, sometimes hovering (as above) in odd positions.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, common lionfish, diving, environment, fish, india, island, lionfish, ocean, pain, photography, toxin, wildlife
Cheeky little clownfish
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
North Indian anemonefish
Many people assume all clownfish are created equal. But not everyone looks like Nemo.
They’re all part of the subfamily of anemonefish with a generally shared common characteristic: aggressive defense of whatever sea anemone they live around. This one was photographed at Havelock’s Anemone Reef.
Most divers love to play a bit with the clownfish which, if antagonized, will bite a finger or “attack” a dive mask. Note: I have not angered one enough to be bitten. I play nice with others.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, anemonefish, clownfish, diving, environment, fish, india, island, North Indian Anemonefish, photography, wildlife
Batfish! Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, batfish!
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
Hello, Andaman batfish.
These often can be found prowling alongside divers at sites throughout the Havelock area. This one was spotted at at Aquarium, a popular beginner site.
Most fish are generally indifferent or even scared of scuba divers; we’re big, noisy, bubble-making monsters. But batfish generally seem more intrigued and will follow divers for spells at a time.
On this particular day, I had accompanied dive instructor Elin Lindqvist, as she taught a group of students in their PADI Open Water course. The fish came along, too.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, batfish, diving, environment, fish, india, island, photography
The sea is a lovely, cruel mistress
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
A fetish to the sea goddess
On December 26, 2004, a tsunami wiped out a swath of fishermen’s homes on the beach near Hut Bay on Little Andaman island.
Five years later, I went there to see what, if anything, was left.
The fishermen and their familes have moved inland, afraid of the sea. The beach is scattered with garbage and little else.
A small temple was rebuilt near the beach, and fishermen worship there and at fetishes along the sandy spit for good luck as they head for their daily catch. Hanging from the fetish: bangles, earrings, hair and a comb.
The sea goddess is still worshipped because they know no other way. She is wonderful and terrible all at once, one fishermen said.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, beach, cricket, fishing, god, hut bay, india, island, journalism, little andaman, ocean, photography, religion, sea, tsunami
