Panamic Green Moray Eel
Photo of Panamic Green Moray Eel, Gymnothorax castaneus
While I was in Mexico’s beautiful Sea of Cortez doing some diving last November, I spent time photographing the Panamic Green Moray eels (Gymnothorax castaneus). These eels are quite common, often found underneath large boulders and overhangs. They are typically content to remain in their holes, extending just their heads outside, but once in a while they will swim freely across the reef and only then is their large size easily seen. These are big eels!
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| Panamic Green Moray Eel, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico. Image ID: 27466 Species: Panamic Green Moray Eell, Gymnothorax castaneus Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico |
Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico
Los Islotes is a small island at the northern end of Isla Espiritu Santo, near La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. Espiritu Santo Island and Partida Island are two beautiful desert islands, scalloped with gorgeous white sand beaches. Bird nest on their rugged slopes, and cardon cacti grow in abundance. All three of these islands are part of the Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, named a UNESCO Biosphere due to the area’s biodiversity and beauty. I have had the good fortune to cruise along both shores of Espiritu Santo and Partida but most of my time has been spent at Isla Los Islotes, diving and relaxing. These waters are full of many Sea of Cortez fishes, and Los Islotes itself is home to a renowned colony of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). I am a real lover of sea lions and fur seals, and spend as much time diving with them as I can, so when I am at Los Islotes I basically ignore all else and just enjoy my time with these gregarious and charming animals. Here are a few recent photos of Los Islotes, the sea lions Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo. Thanks for looking!
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| California sea lion underwater. Image ID: 27424 Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico |
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| Los Islotes Island, Espiritu Santo-complex Biosphere Reserve, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico. Image ID: 27364 Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico Pano dimensions: 5269 x 12646 |
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| Yellow-tailed surgeonfish schooling, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico. Image ID: 27564 Species: Yellow-tailed surgeonfish, Prionurus laticlavius Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico |
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| Isla Partida, Sea of Cortez coastal scenic panorama, near La Paz, Baja California, Mexico, part of the Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve. Image ID: 27358 Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico Pano dimensions: 5197 x 20384 |
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Updated: May 23, 2012
