Yap's Critter Hunt: Bonanza for Macro Photographers

Tim Rock · Issue 22, Jan/Feb 2005 · pp. 30–33

Products mentioned: Nikon D1, Nikon D100, Aquatica housing, Ikelite SB-125 strobes, Sigma 50mm macro lens, Sigma 15mm lens, Nikon 60mm Micro Nikkor lens, Nikkor 105mm Macro lens, Nikkor 10mm Full Frame Fish Eye lens, Nikkor 17-35mm lens, Hartenberger torch, DS125 Ikelite strobe

Four weekʼs worth of “critter hunting” in Yap produced some fascinating creatures and a look at some varied and special marine habitants for those participating in the search for new and unusual marine critters. Manta Ray Bay Hotel and Yap Divers, based in Colonia, Yap, in the Federated States of Micronesia, hosted the unique month of exploration. Led by Larry Smith, one of divingʼs most famed “muck diving” experts, and MRBH founder Bill Acker, daily dives to find the out-of- the-ordinary on the reef were both fun and productive. Acker dived with Smith in Smithʼs backyard of Komodo and western Papua in Indonesia and was amazed at the amazing “muck” creatures Larry consistently found there. So he decided to bring Smithʼs talents to Yap. “I knew we must have ornate ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses and other unique critters,” Acker said. “We just needed some trained eyes like Larryʼs to help…