Melanesia Collection (page 17)

A massive barrel sponge grows n the Solomon Islands
A massive barrel sponge grows on a steep dropoff in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Hard coral and soft coral seascape, Fiji

Kleins butterflyfish swmming in Fiji
Kleins butterflyfish (Chaetodon Kleinii), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Gymnodoris ceylonica nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A small Ambon chromis swimming amongst coral in Fiji
A small Ambon chromis (Chromis amboinensis) swimming amongst coral in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Soft coral on a Fijian reef

Popcorn shrimp on an anenome on a Fijian Reef
Popcorn shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) on an anenome on a Fijian Reef

A diver looks on at a colorful reef with sea fans, Solomon Islands
A diver looks on at a very colorful reef near Marovo lagoon, with large gorgonian sea fans (Subergorgia sp.) of various bright colours, Solomon Islands

Staghorn corals thrive on a reef in the Solomon Islands
Staghorn corals thrive on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

Cabbage Coral amongst other corals in the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji
Cabbage Coral (Turbinaria reniformis) stands out amongst the other soft and hard corals in the South Pacific ocean waters off the coast of Likuri Island, Fiji

Sea fan and soft coral, Fiji

Ornate ghost pipefish, Fiji

Diver and soft coral, Fiji

Sea cucumber feeding on algae
Sea cucumber (Bohadschia graeffei) feeding on algae, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Phyllidia ocellata nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

An inquisitive octopus in a Fijian reef

Regal angelfish swimming in waters off of Fiji
Regal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus), Fiji

Detailed close-up view of soft coral polyps, Fiji

A Tiger Shark consumes a large tuna head hand-fed by a local Fijian diver
A 10 foot Tiger Shark consumes a large tuna head that was hand-fed by a local Fijian dive guide

A large silvertip shark, Fiji
A large silvertip shark comes in close to look at the photographer, Fiji

Leaf Scorpionfish stretching its pectoral fins to support itself on the reef, Fiji

Close-up view of a nudibranch feeding on the reef, Fiji

Lionfish displays its poisonous spines, Fiji

Schooling Jacks (at Mary Island, Solomons)
Schooling Jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus) at Mary Island, Solomons

The Orang-utan decorator crab sitting on coral, Solomons
The Orang-utan decorator crab sitting on coral, Russell Islands, Solomons

Reef-building corals thrive on a reef in the Solomon Islands
Reef-building corals thrive on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

A soft coral colony and invertebrates in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
A beautiful soft coral colony and other invertebrates grow in a channel of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle

Bright sunlight pierces a shallow World War II shipwreck lying off the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands

A coral reef grows near the shore of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia

A Blackside Hawkfish swims over the red tentacles of a sea fan, Fiji
A Blackside Hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) swims over the red tentacles of a sea fan in the warm clear waters off the coast of Likuri Island, Fiji

Golden sweepers swim under a coral bommie in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Golden sweepers (Parapriacanthus ransonnetti) swim under a coral bommie in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle

A large tiger cowrie, Fiji
A large tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigrisis), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A Whitetip Reef Shark glides through a school of Scissortail Sergeant Major fish, Fiji
A Whitetip Reef Shark glides over the reef through a school of Scissortail Sergeant Major fish, Fiji

Detailed view of a beautiful nudibranch reflection captured on a mirror

Hippocampus denise on gorgonian coral, Solomons
Hippocampus denise on gorgonian coral, Russell Islands, Solomons

Close-up of a sea star, Beqa Lagoon Fiji

A large red gorgonian sea fan and tiger cowrie in waters off Fiji
A large red gorgonian sea fan and large tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigrisis), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Spotted unicornfish swimming in Fiji waters
Spotted unicornfish (Naso brevirostris) swimming in Fiji waters

A school of orange basslets on a healthy coral reef in Fiji
A school of orange basslets (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) on a healthy coral reef, Fiji

Bluestripe clownfish tucked away in its anenome host, Fiji

Colorful assorted sea fans and soft coral, Solomon Islands
Colorful assorted sea fans and soft coral, Marovo lagoon, Solomon Islands

Common lionfish resting amongst coral, Solomon Islands
Common lionfish (Pterois volitans) resting amongst coral, Solomon Islands

A fragile coral reef grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

A staghorn coral colony grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Soft corals thrive on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

Black coral and soft coral seascape, Fiji

Clown triggerfish swimming in Fiji
Clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum) swimming at Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Small soft coral, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

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Melanesia, a captivating region in the South Pacific, is home to an array of breathtaking wonders. Among them is the magnificent Ornithoptera alexandrae, also known as Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly. Its vibrant colors and graceful flight make it a true gem of Melanesian biodiversity. Venturing into the rainforests of New Caledonia, one may encounter the striking Kagu with its crest erect. This unique bird species showcases its beauty amidst lush greenery, reminding us of the rich diversity found within these pristine habitats. Exploring beneath Melanesia's azure waters reveals another fascinating creature—the Bull Shark in Fiji. Known for their formidable presence and adaptability to both saltwater and freshwater environments, they command respect as one of nature's most impressive predators. In West Papua, Indonesia lies an underwater spectacle that seems straight out of a discotheque—the Electric fileclam or Disco clam (Ctenoides ales). Its mesmerizing light display captivates all who witness it, adding yet another layer to Melanesia's natural marvels. The Western clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) finds solace among the tentacles of the Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica), forming a symbiotic relationship that exemplifies harmony in this aquatic paradise. Delving deeper into Melanesian waters unveils an enigmatic creature—the Bigfin squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). Hovering effortlessly above open water, its portrait evokes wonder and curiosity about what other mysteries lie hidden below. Beyond its awe-inspiring wildlife, Melanesia boasts historical significance too. With cartography at heart—represented by compass roses on maps—it has been intricately linked to navigation across vast oceans like the Indian Ocean. The Mercator projection aids our understanding of this vast region's geography while highlighting Melanesia's place on Earth’s tapestry. Melanesia's cultural tapestry is equally captivating.