Melanesia Collection (page 18)

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

A tropical fish with gorgonian in background, Fiji

Risbecia tryoni nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Lemon Shark swims through a school of reef fish, Fiji

Reef scape in the Solomon Islands showing various corals

A crocodilefish lays on the seafloor in the Solomon Islands
A crocodilefish (Cymbacephalus beauforti) lays on the seafloor in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

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

A large boulder coral colony grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands
A large boulder coral colony (Porites lutea) grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Extreme close-up of soft coral on a Fijian reef

Latticed Buterflyfish, Fiji
Latticed butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesii), Fiji

Soft coral polyps feeding, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Bull shark surrounded by reef fish, Fiji

Striped blenny perched on rock, Solomon Islands
Striped blenny (Ecsenius prooculis) perched on rock amongst colorful coral, Solomon Islands

Corals grow along the edge of a mangrove forest in Raja Ampat
A collection of corals grow along the edge of a mangrove forest in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle

A Whitetip Reef Shark laying on the sany bottom off the coast of Fiji
A Whitetip Reef Shark laying on the bottom in the sand and looking up at the above approaching photographer in the clear South Pacific ocean off Likuri Island, Fiji

A Black Sea Turtle with attached remora, Fiji
A Black Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizi) swims with two Remoras attached under its shell in the clear South Pacific ocean off the coast of Tavarua Island, Fiji

A Black Sea Turtle off the coast of Fiji
A Black Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizi) swims in the clear South Pacific ocean off the coast of Tavarua Island, Fiji in March 2012

A school of big-eye jacks above a coral reef
A school of big-eye jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus) above a coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This region is known for its healthy fish populations

A school of barracuda above a coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This region is known for its healthy fish populations

A Black Sea Turtle with remora swim through a school of fish, Fiji
A Black Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizi) with a remora trying to attach, swims through a school of fish in the clear South Pacific ocean near Tavarua Island off the coast of Liti Levu, Fiji

Black Anemonefish, Fiji

Close-up of a yellow Christmas tree worm
Yellow Christmas tree worm (Spirobranchus giganteus), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A large bull shark bumps the photographers camera, Fiji

Reef fish scatter as a large bull shark searches for food on the ocean floor
Reef fish scatter as a large bull shark searches for one of the many large tuna heads laying on the ocean floor, Fiji

Crinoids attached to a piece of wreckage, Solomon Islands

A Halimeda ghost pipefish near coralline algae beds
A Halimeda ghost pipefish amongst its natural habitat of Halimeda coralline algae beds, Solomon Islands

Sunlight dances across a sandy slope off the island of Guadalcanal
Sunlight dances across a shallow, sandy slope off the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands

A reef manta ray swims past a coral reef in the Solomon Islands
A reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) swims past a coral reef in the Solomon Islands. This region, in the eastern part of the Coral Triangle

Sea fans and soft coral, Fiji

Tailspot squirrelfish swimming in Fiji
Tailspot squirrelfish (Sargocentron caudimaculatum), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Red tree coral on a Fijian reef

Stony corals in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Stony corals (Acropora acuminata), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Scalefin anthias fish Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Scalefin anthias fish (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A large tawny nurse shark swims past divers at The Bistro dive site in Fiji
A large tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) swims past divers at The Bistro dive site in Fiji

Whip coral goby, Fiji

Nudibranch feeding on the reef, Fiji

Red goby sitting motionless on whip coral, Fiji

Elephant ear sponge attached to a shipwreck, Solomon Islands
Elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta) green-gray coloured attached to a shipwreck, with diver onlooking with torch, Solomon Islands

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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.