Sea of Cortez

Mexico Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) on Black Coral (Antipatharia), Sea of Cortez, Mexico

The last time I was diving in the Sea of Cortez, I decided to try to photograph the longbill hawkfish in black coral. My friend Mike took us to dive on his namesake reef, a secret spot north of La Paz with reefs that are spectacularly lush and covered with…

Phil CollaApril 30, 2020

Aerial Photography Mexico Sea of Cortez Video

Aerial Video of Archipelago Espiritu Santo and the Sea of Cortez

In October I was fortunate to be a guest aboard a friend's boat for 9 days, diving the islands north of La Paz, Mexico. One of our goals was to obtain visuals of the Archipelago Espiritu Santo as part of an effort to support legislative proposals seeking greater environmental protections…

Phil CollaNovember 23, 2016

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Sport Diver Cover, June 2015, Sea Lion in the Sea of Cortez

I love diving in the Sea of Cortez in the Fall. The water is warm, the weather is often serene, the diving easy and fun. And there are some amazing rookeries of sea lions, including the world famous Los Islotes island in the Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve. So I was…

Phil CollaJune 12, 2015

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Baja California, Mexico

Los Islotes, the small island just off the northern end of Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez, is my favorite place in the world for photographing California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). These wonderful pinnipeds are very comfortable with the presence of, and famous for the willingness to interact with,…

Phil CollaMarch 3, 2014

Environmental Problems Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

International Conservation Photography Awards 2012

Art Wolfe hosts the biennial International Conservation Photography Awards ("ICP Awards"). One of my images was honored in the 2010 edition of the competition, so I decided to try again this year. My photograph of a young California sea lion entangled in monofilament fishing line, taken in the Espiritu Santo…

Phil CollaAugust 15, 2012

Marine Life Mexico Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

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…

Phil CollaFebruary 15, 2012

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

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…

Phil CollaFebruary 10, 2012