Melanesia Collection (page 9)

Split level with Table corals (Acropora spp. ) growing close to an island
Split level with Table corals (Acropora spp.) growing close to an island. Pelee Island, Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Stingless golden jellyfish (Mastigias sp. ), backlit by the sun
Stingless golden jellyfish (Mastigias sp.), backlit by the sun, in a landlocked marine lake in the middle of an island. Their golden colour comes from endosymbiotic algae

Group of Longfin batfish (Platax teira) beneath the surface, close to an island. Farondi Islands, Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Tiny snapping shrimp (Synalpheus sp. ) looks out from within sea squirt (Didemnum molle
Tiny snapping shrimp (Synalpheus sp.) looks out from within sea squirt (Didemnum molle) at night on a coral reef. Piaynemo Island, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Pacific Islands, Melanesia, Solomon Islands Lau Lagoon. View across the water toward the artificial island of Funafou

Orbiculate cardinalfish (Sphaeramia orbicularis) sheltering amongst roots of mangroves (Rhizophora sp.) in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Pacific ocean

View of mountains along the north shore of Waigeo Island in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Spotted jelly (Mastigias papua) swims in sheltered cove in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Pacific Ocean

View of coastal beach with palm trees in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Pacific Ocean

Broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) over pristine coral reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Kaleidoscopic image of brittle star (Ophiothrix sp), North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Kaleidoscopic image of Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. ) on Sea pen (Virgularia sp. ). Rinca, Indonesia
Kaleidoscopic image of Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp.) on Sea pen (Virgularia sp.). Rinca, Indonesia

Kaleidoscopic image of soft coral. West Papua, Indonesia

Kaleidoscopic image of polyps on gorgonian coral. West Papua, Indonesia

One of the dams constructed by the local field staff of the Borneo Nature Foundation in the canals in the Sabangau (peat-swamp) Forest. These are made to combat forest fires

Pandan (Pandanus sp. ) growing in the Sabangau River, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Pandan (Pandanus sp.) growing in the Sabangau River, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Shoal of three Bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) in open water at night. Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) unusually feeding on hard coral polyps. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) descending after breathing at the surface. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Commensal emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) moves across the colourful red patterned surface of its host Candycane sea cucumber (Thelenota rubralineata)

Split level image of Leather corals (Sarcophyton sp.) flourishing in shallow water close to uninhabited coral islands. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea

Split level image of hard coral garden flourishing in shallow water below Misool Eco Resort. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Reef manta (Mobula alfredi) female swimming close to a coral reef, while cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), tiny by comparison, pick parasites from her lips

Three Pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) living in a purple skirted magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) on a coral reef, below a small island

Common seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) female wrapping her prehensile tail around piece of wood on the seabed. Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea

Pair of Western clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) spawning orange eggs on the rock beneath their Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) home on a coral reef

Whitemargin stargazer (Uranoscopus sulphureus) sets an ambush in the sand at night. Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea

Reef lizardifsh (Synodus variegatus) at a cleaning station, being cleaned by Holthuis anemone shrimps (Ancylomenes holthuisi). Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea

A Native Hut, Sariba, British New Guinea, c1909. Creator: George Rose
A Native Hut, Sariba, British New Guinea, c1909. This style of building is peculiar to this particular island. Traditional building with curved roof line on Saliba Island

Shadowfin soldierfish (Myripristis adusta) West Papua, Indonesia

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) front view portrait, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua. Indonesia

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) near surface, viewed from above, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua. Indonesia

Shadowfin soldierfish (Myripristis adusta) schooling over coral reef. Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, March 2016

White-breasted Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus rivoli) male at fruiting Shefflera tree. Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Rainforest and valley in the Sarawaget range, Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. November 2006

Brydes whale (Balaenoptera brydei) breaching, Raja Ampat, Western Papua, Indonesian New Guinea

Shallow, turquiose water and the surface, with blue sky. Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Dampier Strait. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Shallow, turquiose water and the surface, with blue sky. Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Dampier Strait. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Latticetail moray (Gymnothorax buroensis) emerging from soft coral on a reef. Sangeang Island, Sumbawa, Indonesia. Flores Sea

Rainforest waterfall, Batenta Island, Raja Ampat, Western Papua, Indonesian New Guinea

Cycad palm leaves, Raja Ampat, Western Papua, Indonesian New Guinea

Female Denises pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) on coral seafan (Annella mollis) Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea

Common Cuscus (Phalanger orientalis) captive occurs in Timor to New Guinea. Captive

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calf. Tonga, South Pacific, September

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) female. Tonga, South Pacific, September

Mist in the cloud forest at Sombom Ridge, Saruwaged Range, Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea

Golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) hiding amongst the branches of red whip coral (Ctenocella sp.) Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Longfin batfish (Platax teira) with Fusiliers (Caesio spp.) in the current in front of Baby Rock pinnacle. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea

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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.