As of 2024, we are on the 20th year of our 3-year trip on board our sailboat "Eagle's Wings." After setting off from the Chicago area in 2004, we soon found ourselves hooked on cruising and nixed the 3-year plan. For many years we sailed between New Zealand (our "home away from home") and the South Pacific tropical islands. We have been serious about underwater photography since 2012.

Several years ago while we were marooned in the Marshall Islands during Covid, our friends John and John and Lynette of "White Hawk" introduced us to the amazing world of shallow water nudibranch diving. We love being able to take our time and spend long hours hunting, observing, and photographing the strange and exotic creatures that live under rocks in 1-2 meters of water. And at that depth, a tank of air can last more than three hours."

Ken uses a Nikon Z7 in a Nauticam housing, 60mm macro Nikon lens, CMC-1 wet lens, two Sea&Sea YS-D1 Strobes, and one Sola Video 2500F light. Beth scouts using a 3-power magnifying glass from Underwater-MagnifyingGlass.com and we both use the Dive Alert Buddy Watcher system to signal the other person when we spot something interesting.

The area where we found the creature is on the inside of outer most western reef near Musket Cove in Fiji (in the Mamanucas). We have been diving only on a low tide, as current and surge from waves over the reef make it too difficult to stay in place at higher states of the tide. We also need very light wind conditions -- fortunately this part of the Mamanuca Islands is often in the wind shadow of the big island (Viti Levu). The trade winds can be howling everywhere else in Fiji, but we are in this magical pocket of light air.

Send Ken and Beth email at sailingvessel.eagleswings@gmail.com