Tag: Sand

A large school of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) photographed from above over pale sandy ground. Dozens of dolphins swim in formation; their shadows on the floor are clearly visible.
A compact school of juvenile striped catfish forms a spherical protective formation on the sandy floor.
A large school of spinner dolphins glides just above the sandy floor through shallow water, with snorkellers at the surface.
A large school of spinner dolphins above pale sandy ground, photographed from above. The dolphins swim in loose formation.
A coral block covered with vivid magenta soft corals on sandy ground, swarmed by schools of orange anthias.
A leopard stingray rests on the sandy floor; a diver and remnants of a wreck are visible in the background.
A green turtle swims elegantly over the sandy seafloor between coral formations. The characteristic brown-yellow shell pattern and the narrow head are clearly recognisable as the turtle glides calmly through its reef habitat.
A green sea turtle rests on the sandy floor beside scattered corals, gazing calmly upwards.
A green sea turtle rests peacefully on the sandy seafloor among seagrass. A small yellow pilot fish swims near the turtle's head, creating a harmonious underwater scene.
A freediver observes a large school of dolphins gliding elegantly through the clear blue water. The marine mammals display their typical group behaviour and swim in loose formation above the sandy seafloor with scattered coral formations.
Extreme frontal shot of a lizardfish on the sandy floor. The iridescent eyes and the detailed head structure are perfectly captured in this super-macro shot.
A green sea turtle grazes peacefully on a seagrass meadow on the sandy seafloor. The turtle stirs up sand in the process, illustrating its natural food-searching behaviour in the seagrass.
A snorkeller hovers in the turquoise water above a sandy seafloor, while above her a group of dolphins glides elegantly through the water surface. The scene shows a peaceful encounter between humans and marine mammals in crystal-clear, shallow water.
Two green sea turtles graze peacefully on a seagrass meadow on the sandy seafloor. The turtles can be observed while grazing, their movements stirring up small clouds of sand.
A majestic green sea turtle rests peacefully on a sandy seafloor with seagrass, while a vivid yellow pilot fish swims nearby. The turtle displays the characteristic pattern of its shell and the typical relaxed body posture while resting.
A school of spinner dolphins swims elegantly through the blue water above a sandy seafloor. The dolphins display their characteristic slender bodies and pointed snouts as they glide together in a loose group.
Bluespotted ribbontail ray on sandy ground, wide-angle from the front. The vivid blue spots stand out from the sandy body. A coral block is visible in the background.
A school of dolphins swims elegantly above the bright sandy seabed in crystal-clear blue water. The group consists of about eight to ten animals moving in a relaxed formation while sun rays penetrate from the surface.
A freediver swims above a group of four dolphins resting close to the sandy seafloor. The scene shows a peaceful encounter between human and marine mammals in the clear, blue water.
A shrimp species from the family Rhynchocinetidae (hinge-beak shrimps), possibly Cinetorhynchus reticulatus. Hinge-beak shrimps are found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide and often live in reefs.
An elegant dolphin glides over the sandy seabed in clear, blue water. The marine mammal displays its characteristic streamlined form and typical dorsal fin as it moves gracefully through its natural habitat.
A group of about eight dolphins swims elegantly over a sandy seafloor with scattered coral boulders. The marine mammals move in loose formation through the clear, blue water while sunbeams filter through from the surface.
A fascinating view from inside an underwater cave looking outward, with dramatic light rays falling through the openings and bathing the sandy cave floor and jagged rock walls in mystical blue light. The natural stone cathedral creates an impressive atmosphere with several exits to open water.
A school of dolphins swims elegantly through the blue water above a sandy seafloor. The group consists of several animals of different sizes, with one larger individual taking the lead while the others follow in loose formation.
A giant moray swims across the sandy seabed, its characteristic spotted body pattern and powerful head clearly recognisable. The animal displays typical undulating swimming movements above the bright sandy floor.
Two curious dolphins swim above a sandy seafloor with scattered coral blocks. The marine mammals display relaxed behaviour and seem to be observing the photographer as they glide elegantly through the clear, turquoise water.
The wreck of the Giannis D lies on a sandy seabed at the Abu Nuhas reef, heavily encrusted with corals and marine organisms. Several divers explore the wreck in the blue depths while colourful corals in the foreground complete the underwater landscape.
A group of bottlenose dolphins swims elegantly through the blue water above a sandy seafloor. The dolphins move in formation, with two individuals in the foreground particularly visible while further group members are recognisable in the background.
A school of dolphins swims elegantly above a sandy seafloor in blue water. The marine mammals move in typical group formation, with some animals closer to the viewer and others further away in the open water.
The image shows a dramatic underwater cave or grotto with several openings through which spectacular light rays fall into the dark interior. The sandy floor is covered with small coral fragments and rubble, while the rock walls underline the mystical atmosphere of this cave formation.
A perfectly camouflaged filament devilfish rests motionless on the sandy seabed among corals. Its warty skin and pink-brown colouring cause it to blend almost completely with the surroundings, while its characteristic eyes remain clearly recognisable.
A school of sea bream rests on the sandy seabed. The silvery-grey fish with characteristic yellow longitudinal stripes and red eyes are grouped closely together, displaying typical resting behaviour on the bright sand.
A green sea turtle swims majestically above a sandy seabed in crystal-clear blue water. The turtle is seen in a perfect swimming posture with outstretched flippers, its shell showing the characteristic brown-green colouring with light patterns.
A majestic green sea turtle glides elegantly over the sandy seabed while a diver in the background observes the encounter. The clear blue water and peaceful scene capture the beauty of a typical reef encounter.
A heavily colonised shipwreck lies on the sandy seabed in deep blue water. The ship's hull and still-recognisable masts are completely covered with marine organisms, giving the wreck a greenish-turquoise appearance.
A group of dolphins swims elegantly through blue water above a sandy seabed. One dolphin is prominently visible in the foreground while several others swim together as a group in the background.
Two nurse sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) swim over the sandy floor at dusk. The upper shark is seen frontally from below, the lower one from the side. The broad heads and barbels are clearly recognisable.
A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) rests on the sandy floor. A batfish (Platax) swims in the background. The shell pattern and scaly skin are visible in detail.
A nurse shark swims closely along the sandy floor. The characteristic barbels at the mouth and the remoras on its body are clearly visible, with scattered corals in the background.
Two nurse sharks on the sandy floor; a small yellow pilotfish accompanies the front shark at its pectoral fin. A second nurse shark approaches from the background.
Frontal shot of a nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) resting on the sandy floor. The broad flat head with barbels, the mouth and the tooth rows are clearly visible.
A nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) rests on the pale sandy floor. The massive body and the typical twin dorsal fins are clearly visible in the wide-angle shot.
Several nurse sharks rest on the sandy floor during a night dive. Numerous remoras and small companion fish surround the sharks, and the scene is illuminated by the diver's light.
An eagle ray glides elegantly over the sandy seafloor. The characteristic white spots on the brown upper side and the pale underside are clearly visible as the ray moves its long, whip-like tail through the clear blue water.
A manta ray passes over the reef; the underside with its unique spot pattern is clearly visible.
A female diver encounters a large reef manta on the seafloor during a night dive.
A large stingray lies at rest on the sandy seafloor, displaying its characteristic dark upper side and the typical long, whip-like tail with a venomous spine.
A majestic whale shark swims calmly over the sandy seafloor. The characteristic white spots and lines are clearly visible on the dark grey skin as this gentle giant displays its imposing size.
Two dartfish with their characteristic whitish-red gradient colouration and long yellow dorsal fins hover just above the sandy seafloor. The fish display the typical behaviour of this species — living in small groups close to the substrate and darting instantly into their burrows when threatened.
A close-up of the mouth of a young whitetip shark. The small teeth are clearly visible.
A young blacktip reef shark swims elegantly over the sandy bottom. The characteristic black tips on the fins and the slender body shape are clearly visible as the shark glides calmly through the clear water.
A juvenile whitetip reef shark rests on the sandy seafloor beneath a reef overhang adorned with colourful corals and sponges, displaying the typical daytime resting behaviour of this species in sheltered areas.
A magnificent mandarinfish displays its characteristic psychedelic pattern of turquoise, orange and blue wavy lines. The small reef dweller presents its widely spread pectoral fins in a typical ambush posture on the sandy seabed.
A magnificent mandarinfish in its full colour splendour on the reef floor. The small, colourful animal displays its characteristic blue, green and orange patterns as well as the striking red eyes and spread fins.
A magnificently coloured mandarin dragonet sits on sandy ground. The vivid colours in blue, orange, green and yellow with the characteristic undulating patterns are clearly recognisable, as are the large pectoral fins and the striking eyes.
A magnificent mandarinfish displays its characteristic vivid colouring with wavy lines in blue, green, orange and yellow. The small, colourful fish rests on the sandy seabed and presents its spectacular colour pattern.
A magnificent mandarin dragonet displays its characteristic vivid colouring with vivid blue, orange and green stripes and patterns. The small fish rests on the sandy seabed among coral fragments and presents its typical stocky body shape and the conspicuous pectoral fins.
A magnificent mandarin dragonet displays its spectacular colour splendour with vivid blue, green, orange and red patterns. The fish rests on the sandy seabed and presents its characteristic undulating fins in full beauty.
Two sexy shrimps (Thor amboinensis) with characteristic white-and-blue spots on their brown carapace are visible on the sandy seafloor. The small crustaceans display their typical behaviour with their rocking tails and long antennae as they move through their natural environment.
An impressive group of devil rays glides majestically over the reef, with one large ray dominating the foreground and several others hovering in formation behind. The elegant ocean giants display their characteristic black appearance with the distinctive broad pectoral fins above a coral-covered seafloor.
A majestic reef manta swims elegantly over the sandy seafloor with its mouth wide open while filter-feeding on plankton. The characteristic cephalic fins and the dark upper side with white underside are clearly visible as the animal engages in its typical feeding activity.
A swimming crab with characteristically red-and-white striped claws and legs sits on sandy ground among corals and an anemone. The crab displays a defensive posture with raised claws and is photographed face-on.
A juvenile scorpionfish on dark sandy ground.
A masterfully camouflaged octopus lies motionlessly on the sandy seafloor. The body shape and perfect adaptation to the sediment colour make the animal nearly invisible — an impressive example of camouflage in the underwater world.
A dark cockatoo waspfish (Ablabys taenianotus) lies perfectly camouflaged on the sandy seafloor. The brown colouration with characteristic white dots and patches provides excellent camouflage in the sand.
A colourful mantis shrimp with characteristic violet-blue stalked eyes and a vivid body in bright orange, green and red tones. The animal displays its powerful raptorial claws and sits presumably in front of its hiding place on the seafloor.
A ghost moray displays its characteristic behaviour with its mouth wide open in a threat posture. The vivid blue body colouration with yellow accents and the typical upright body posture are clearly visible as the moray projects from its hiding place.
A colourful nudibranch with characteristic orange-red gills and violet-turquoise body colouration crawls over sandy seafloor. The feathered gill structures are clearly visible, showing the typical morphology of this sea slug species.
The image shows a Napoleon snake eel (Ophichthus bonaparti).
A garden eel with characteristic spotted pattern peers out of its sandy hiding place. The snake-like fish displays the typical behaviour of extending only its head from its tube in the sandy floor while the rest of its body remains hidden.
The animal in the image is a file snake (likely Acrochordus granulatus or a similar species). These snakes possess very rough, granular skin that often sits loosely on the body.
A seahorse in magnificent pink-violet colouration with characteristic red spots on a light background. The animals display the typical upright posture and are surrounded by growth, indicating perfect camouflage in their habitat.
A colourful nudibranch with a vivid violet base colouration and yellow dots rests on the seafloor. The characteristic orange rhinophores and the undulating body shape are clearly recognisable, while further specimens of the same species are blurred in the background.
The image shows a ghost pipefish (likely a robust ghost pipefish, Solenostomus cyanopterus). These fish are masters of camouflage, imitating drifting seagrass or algae to hide from predators.
The image shows a blue dragon nudibranch (Pteraeolidia ianthina). It is often called the "blue dragon" because its appearance resembles a Chinese dragon.
A colourful flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi). It is a small species (under 8 cm) known for its vivid, rapidly changing colours such as purple, yellow and red, which it uses for communication and camouflage.
A red-eyed gurnard lies on the sandy seafloor, displaying its characteristic red eyes and finger-like pectoral fin rays. The fish is perfectly adapted to the substrate and uses its mobile fin rays to probe the surroundings for food.
A magnificent mantis shrimp with characteristic turquoise-blue stalked eyes and vivid orange-red patterned raptorial claws sits on the sandy floor. The vivid colours and striking compound eyes make this predatory crustacean a spectacular photographic subject.
The animal shown is a glass anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis), also known as the peacock-tail anemone shrimp. These shrimps live in a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones, which provide them with shelter.
A seahorse with characteristic skin appendages and reddish-brown colouration rests on the sandy seafloor. The well-developed skin growths serve as perfect camouflage, allowing the animal to blend with algae and coral encrustation.
A sea snake on the seafloor, raising its head from the sandy substrate. The animal displays a characteristic scale pattern and the typical head shape of a sea snake as it searches for food among coral growth and sand.
A well-camouflaged seahorse sits on the sandy seafloor. The characteristic skin-like appendages in pink-brownish tones help it blend with its surroundings and remain perfectly concealed.
A mantis shrimp sits on sandy ground, displaying its characteristic large compound eyes and powerful raptorial limbs. The vivid colours with green, orange and red tones and the striking violet-pink eyes are clearly visible.
Two nudibranchs with vivid, colourful gill tufts and rhinophores on sandy reef ground during mating. The sea slugs display their characteristic purple-red and white gills and typical sensory appendages on the head. A second nudibranch species is visible in the background.
A vivid orange nudibranch with characteristic black spots crawls across the sandy seafloor. The nudibranch displays its typical rhinophores (scent organs) and gills as it searches for food.
Step-shaped structures beside a rock wall covered with seagrass. This scene was photographed below the Double Arch on Gozo.
A magnificent pink-violet soft coral dominates the left side of a reef scene. The coral stands in vivid colours against the deep blue water, while sunbeams penetrate from above and create dramatic illumination.