A horse under water
ArticleOne of the most exciting animals under water is a real expert in hiding.
Searching for the hiding seahorses is one of my favorite underwater activity. And for a favorite game I have a favorite place in the Croatian Adriatic. I found seahorse in different places but there is only one which gives me the real freedom. I've been to Pag island many times, sometimes my friends invited me to the local dive centers in Stara Novalja village. The bay's opposite walls fall steeply into the sea, most of the guests prefer wall dives there. I let them go by the boat and when they left I simply walk into the Adriatic just before the dive center. I descend only to 3-4 meters and start browsing the seagrass. I swim very slowly and carefully until I recognize a familiar shape. If I'm lucky it's a seahorse. Sometimes I don't find any so I need to spend my time with octopus, pipefish or weever. But I remember dives when I found 3-4 seahorses. They don't move fast so a photographer can shoot dozens of pictures. They try to hide behind plants or slowly turns away, which helps the photographer only if he wants to make photos of a seahorse's back. (Most of them don't...)
Some dishonest guys simply pick up the seahorse and put it to a clean area or make a portrait while holding. In my opinion no photo worth touching and harassing animals. It gives me much pleasure those who really talented can make creative and exclusive photos without harming seahorses. I wish they had a fair play award as well! Until the majority of the divers are careful, I'll have the chance to see my little friends. The searching for them is much more fun if I'm successful in the end...