Maldives 2013, Athuruga - Photos 4

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Turtles, morays, nudibranchs, shrimps...

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) at Himandoo Tilla.
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) at Himandoo Tilla.
And another one at Shark Tilla (aka Fish Head).
And another one at Shark Tilla (aka Fish Head).
And a particularly large one back at Himandoo Tilla on a different day.
And a particularly large one back at Himandoo Tilla on a different day.
A Giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) at Shark Tilla.
A Giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) at Shark Tilla.
They usually lurk in a hole during the day, but this one, also at Shark Tilla, was swimming across the reeftop.
They usually lurk in a hole during the day, but this one, also at Shark Tilla, was swimming across the reeftop.
Common in the Maldives, a Varicose Phyllidia nudibranch (Phyllidia varicosa).  This one, at Thudufushi Thila, was about 5cm long.
Common in the Maldives, a Varicose Phyllidia nudibranch (Phyllidia varicosa).  This one, at Thudufushi Thila, was about 5cm long.
This much smaller one was doggedly trudging across a large expanse of sand at Shark Tilla.
This much smaller one was doggedly trudging across a large expanse of sand at Shark Tilla.
This object, about 10-12 cm across, was said to be the eggs of a nocturnal nudibranch, one much bigger than the usual Varicose Phyllidia you see during the day.  Probably the Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus).
This object, about 10-12 cm across, was said to be the eggs of a nocturnal nudibranch, one much bigger than the usual 
				Varicose Phyllidia you see during the day.  Probably the Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus).
A Green mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), about 15cm long, scuttles across the reeftop at Shark Tilla.
A Green mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), about 15cm long, scuttles across the reeftop at Shark Tilla.
Another one backs into a hole at Shark Tilla.
Another one backs into a hole at Shark Tilla.

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