John put together a short video for the last SFUPS meeting. Underwater photographer, Mike Bartick, was sharing photo tips with our club members, so we made sure to include a clip with him in it.
We were diving with Mike from Crystal Blue Resort in Anilao, Philippines, when our dive group found a mimic octopus. Mimics are known to change textures and body shapes to blend in to their surroundings or “mimic” other sea creatures. We were excited to watch her posturing and gliding along oh so cool.
Surprise! Another octopus sprang out and jumped on her. The male’s coloring is very similar to the sea floor where it was likely hiding out in the sand. At first John and I thought they were just fighting. They didn’t even look alike until the male starting “flashing” patterns. We soon realized that the male had some other ideas. What a mating tussle caught in the act!
This video is available in 1080p – click the HD button on the video viewer lower right side and select 1080p to view in 1080p.