Philinopsis sp.

Photo courtesy of Jim Black
Anilao, Batangas, Philippines

RS System with 50 mm macro and super macro adapter

Philinopsis sp., undescribed

Philinopsis are best seen and photographed at night when they are out foraging for food. Even then they are sometimes skittish about light and will attempt to burrow into the sand or mud when put into a diver's light! Jim's subject couldn't be found in any of the books I have so until wiser minds prevail, it is being presented as undescribed. For an interesting commentary on their feeding habits, the reader is referred to Bill Rudman's Sea Slug Forum .

As luck would have it I was able to capture video of what appears to be the same guy on our last trip to the Philippines. The video leaves a little bit to be desired as the subject was continually diving into the sand and debris to avoid the limelight of being the star of my next branch video production!

Jim Black on location

Jim is retired from US Airways after 27 years as a pilot..., flying Captain on an Airbus 330 Internationally. Diving since 1970...with over 5200 dives logged. Shoots Nikon F4s in housing and Nikonos RS. Jim's photography has been featured in a number of books and publications including Helmut Debelius' Nudibranchs and Sea Snails of Gosliner, Behrens and Williams Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific. A photo of Jim petting a shark in "Sleeping Shark Caves" off Isla Mujeres Island, Mexico, taken by Amy Foster his significant other, recently appeared in Dave Behrens' Diving Guide to Cozumel, Cancun & The Riviera Maja. Send Jim email at jim.black14@verizon.net

---