bill miller photography

bill miller photography

Fishes

There are over 20,000 fish species in the planet’s oceans, and you will only see a small sample here, less than ⅓ of 1%. Some are common, ones we have seen almost everywhere; some are fairly unique to a certain location. The Queen Triggerfish was one of the first underwater images I took in 1983 and the Black Triggerfish (aka Black Durgon) was one of the last from 2001.
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The captain of our dive boat got a radio message about a whale shark being in the bay. He searched and finally find it. We were free to jump in, but only with snorkeling equipment and cameras. This beauty, perhaps 25-30' long, was slowing swimming about six feet under the surface. She was filter-feeding, presenting no danger to people in the water. La Paz Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999). — Whale Shark
The captain of our dive boat got a radio message about a whale shark being in the bay. He searched and finally find it. We were free to jump in, but only with snorkeling equipment and cameras. This beauty, perhaps 25-30' long, was slowing swimming about six feet under the surface. She was filter-feeding, presenting no danger to people in the water. La Paz Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999).

Bahamas (1994). — Back Tip Shark Feeding Time
Bahamas (1994).

Channel Islands, California (1989) — Angelshark
Channel Islands, California (1989)

Nurse sharks are commonly found laying on the bottom. They usually present little danger unless they are harassed. Little Cayman Island (1994). — Nurse Shark
Nurse sharks are commonly found laying on the bottom. They usually present little danger unless they are harassed. Little Cayman Island (1994).

Sometimes you have to put the camera down and just experience it. Grand Cayman (1990) — Roughtail Stringray and Yellow Snappers — Photo by Sandy Miller
Sometimes you have to put the camera down and just experience it. Grand Cayman (1990)

Grand Cayman (1990) — Roughtail Stingray
Grand Cayman (1990)

Dominica. (1999) — Roughtail Stingray
Dominica. (1999)

In almost twenty years of diving, spotting an eagle ray was a rarity. In every case, they were always swimming away, and we were not chasing them! Little Cayman (1994) — Spotted Eagle Ray
In almost twenty years of diving, spotting an eagle ray was a rarity. In every case, they were always swimming away, and we were not chasing them! Little Cayman (1994)

The coolest rays of all. Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999) — Manta Ray
The coolest rays of all. Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999)

Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 1999 — Manta Ray
Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 1999

Yap Island, FSM (1996) — Manta Rays
Yap Island, FSM (1996)

Chuuck Lagoon, FSM (1996) — Anemonefish (Clownfish)
Chuuck Lagoon, FSM (1996)

Chuuck Lagoon, FSM (1996) — Anemonefish (Clownfish)
Chuuck Lagoon, FSM (1996)

Yap Island, FSM (1996) — Anemonefish (Clownfish)
Yap Island, FSM (1996)

Belize (1998) — Queen Angelfish
Belize (1998)

Grand Cayman (1990) — French Angelfish
Grand Cayman (1990)

Grand Cayman (1990) — French Angelfish out with a Damselfish
Grand Cayman (1990)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Barberfish
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999) — Checkerboard Wrasse
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999)

Grand Cayman (1990) — Butterflyfish
Grand Cayman (1990)

Turks & Caicos (2001) — Cowfish
Turks & Caicos (2001)

Bonaire Island (1992) — Trunkfish
Bonaire Island (1992)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Damselfish
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Yellowtail Surgeonfish
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Eels usually hide in the coral during the day, but at night they come out to search for food. Belize (1998) — Green Moray Eel on a Night Dive
Eels usually hide in the coral during the day, but at night they come out to search for food. Belize (1998)

Belize (1998) — Green Moray Eel
Belize (1998)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Zebra Moray Eel
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999) — Moray Eel next to a Sea Urchin
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999)

Sandy likes eels! Cozumel, Mexico (1997) — Spotted Moray Eel
Sandy likes eels! Cozumel, Mexico (1997)

Being scaleless and unprotected, camouflage is an important defense against predators. Bonaire Island (1990) — Frogfish
Being scaleless and unprotected, camouflage is an important defense against predators. Bonaire Island (1990)

Bonaire Island (1990) — Frogfish
Bonaire Island (1990)

Cozumel, Mexico (1997) — Grouper
Cozumel, Mexico (1997)

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Nassau Grouper
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Red Hind (Grouper)
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Cozumel, Mexico (1987) — School of Grunts
Cozumel, Mexico (1987)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Grunt Fish
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Belize (1993) — Indigo Hamlet
Belize (1993)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Surgeonfish
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Parrotfish are the "sand-making" fish. They gnaw on coral for food, and, well . . . what's left over is expelled as sand. Turks and Caicos (2001) — Blue Parrotfish
Parrotfish are the "sand-making" fish. They gnaw on coral for food, and, well . . . what's left over is expelled as sand. Turks and Caicos (2001)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Parrotfish
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Parrotfish
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Cozumel, Mexico (1988). I left the "backscatter" (circular artifacts on an image, due to the camera's strobe being reflected from unfocused particulate matter in the water). Backscatter is easy, although tedious, to remove using post-processing software. — Rockfish (?)
Cozumel, Mexico (1988). I left the "backscatter" (circular artifacts on an image, due to the camera's strobe being reflected from unfocused particulate matter in the water). Backscatter is easy, although tedious, to remove using post-processing software.

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Blue Tang
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Bonaire (1990) — Sharpnose Puffer
Bonaire (1990)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999) — Pufferfish
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999)

Belize (1993) — Inflated Pufferfish
Belize (1993)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Seahorse
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Grand Cayman. (1990) — A Cloud of Silverside Fishes
Grand Cayman. (1990)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999) — Silversides
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999)

Channel Islands, California (1992) — Garabaldi in the Kelp Forest
Channel Islands, California (1992)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Snappers
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Dominica (1999) — Soldierfish
Dominica (1999)

Barracudas look threatening with a mouth full of sharp teeth, but they have always kept their distance. You move a little closer for a photo, and they back up a little bit. Barracudas are challenging to photograph with a strobe because they are highly reflective. Belize (1998) — Barracuda Carefully Watching Sandy
Barracudas look threatening with a mouth full of sharp teeth, but they have always kept their distance. You move a little closer for a photo, and they back up a little bit. Barracudas are challenging to photograph with a strobe because they are highly reflective. Belize (1998)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000) — Moorish idol
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2000)

Lionfish can be dangerous to humans due to their venomous spines, which can deliver painful stings. While stings are usually not fatal, they can cause severe pain, swelling, and other unpleasant symptoms. Like many potentially dangerous animals, they are not aggressive, and would prefer to mind their own business. Palau (1996) — Lionfish
Lionfish can be dangerous to humans due to their venomous spines, which can deliver painful stings. While stings are usually not fatal, they can cause severe pain, swelling, and other unpleasant symptoms. Like many potentially dangerous animals, they are not aggressive, and would prefer to mind their own business. Palau (1996)

One of the first underwater photos I took of a very photogenic fish. Akumal, Mexico (1983). — Queen Triggerfish
One of the first underwater photos I took of a very photogenic fish. Akumal, Mexico (1983).

Another Triggerfish, this photo is one of the last underwater shots I took, about eighteen years later than the first. Turks and Caicos (2001). — Black Triggerfish, or Black Durgon
Another Triggerfish, this photo is one of the last underwater shots I took, about eighteen years later than the first. Turks and Caicos (2001).

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Jack Fish
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Grand Cayman (1990) — Snappers
Grand Cayman (1990)

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999) — Porkfish School
Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999)

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Blue Chromis
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Squirrel Fish
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Trumpetfish Hiding in the Coral
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Dominica (1999) — Trumpetfish
Dominica (1999)

Turks and Caicos (2001) — Filefish
Turks and Caicos (2001)

Scorpion fish are members of the same "family" as lionfish. These fish have excellent camouflage, and usually go unnoticed . The fins of these prickly fish carry toxic venom. While stings can be fatal to humans, the fish are not aggressive and only sting when threatened or injured. Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999) — Scorpionfish
Scorpion fish are members of the same "family" as lionfish. These fish have excellent camouflage, and usually go unnoticed . The fins of these prickly fish carry toxic venom. While stings can be fatal to humans, the fish are not aggressive and only sting when threatened or injured. Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico (1999)

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