Paddling Palau

Urchins Gone Wild Predators like Titan Trigger Fish and Helmet Snails can easily control their sea urchin prey. Palau’s limestone habitats however, harbor isolated environments which predators cannot access. The results are stupendous. These “unnatural” urchin populations create habitat and hiding places for rare species such as the Banded Pipefish. Where else on earth can you find these stupendous biological freak shows! Photos by Ron Leidich #paddlingpalau #palau #micronesia #seaurchins #seaurchin #islandlife #island #islandvibes #underwater #underwaterphotography #snorkel #snorkeling #photooftheday #photogram #photo #photoeveryday #photodaily #photography (at Palau Micronesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmFlpswBQoQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Urchins Gone Wild Predators like Titan Trigger Fish and Helmet Snails can easily control their sea urchin prey. Palau’s limestone habitats however, harbor isolated environments which predators cannot access. The results are stupendous. These “unnatural” urchin populations create habitat and hiding places for rare species such as the Banded Pipefish. Where else on earth can you find these stupendous biological freak shows! Photo by Ron Leidich #paddlingpalau #palau #micronesia #islandlife #island #islandvibes #snorkeling #seaurchin #seaurchins #underwater #underwaterphotography #snorkel #photooftheday #photogram #photo #photoeveryday #photodaily (at Palau Micronesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmFlHe9hEGC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Time flies when you’re spending time with friends. You’ve got to make the most out of every day. #paddlingpalau #palau #micronesia #kayak #kayaking #kayakingadventures #kayakinglife #island #islandlife #islandvibes #photo #photography #photooftheday #photoeveryday #photogram #photodaily #photographer (at Palau Micronesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmAZG-5hTYp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Stupid in Love With the new moon upon us, it’s spawning time for three species of grouper (Ksau, Meteungerel ‘temekai, & Tiau). Distracted with romantic dreams, these amorous groupers can now be approached within touching distance. Fortuitously, both the Koror State & National Governments have designated these spawning sites as no fishing zones. Thank you Palau for giving these new moon lovers a little helping hand! Photos by Ron Leidich (at Palau Micronesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeM3wf_h-N6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Camping in Paradise With the total collapse of mass tourism, Palau’s formerly crowded beaches have been transformed into tranquil retreats. Ngermeaus Beach is now an eco-paradise, where Megapodes roam and sharks rule. Our 2022 safari season delivered action packed days and star filled nights. What will the future hold for this pristine tropical gem? Photos by Ron Leidich #palau #paddlingpalau #kororpalau #micronesia #micronesian #safari #camping #campingsafari #campinglife #campingtrip #kayakadventures #kayaklife #kayaks #kayaking #kayakingadventures #kayak #photooftheday #photogram #photodaily #photoeveryday #photography #photos (at Palau Micronesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeCnuCshAWv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Nutmeg Road is a fascinating archaeological site, located on the limestone island of Ngeruktabel. A recently discovered piece of Yapese Stone Money adds an important clue to occupancy of this site. However, there is evidence of longer term habitation, to include the presence of a taro patch. A series of deep pits remains one of the intriguing and unexplained mysteries of the valley. The site was named after a grove of endemic Palauan Nutmeg Trees, Myristica insularis (sorry, there’s no recorded Palauan name). Westerners never knew of this cryptic species in Palau, which was probably a blessing in disguise. Wars were fought and human populations were decimated over the sister species Myristica fragrans from Indonesia’s Moluccas Islands. That’s a longer story, so we’ll save that for a future post. Photos by Ron Leidich #palau #paddlingpalau #nutmeg #forest #forestphotography #forestlovers #islandlife #islandpeople #micronesia #islandliving #islandvibes #island #photooftheday #photos #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photoday #photo #photograph #photogram #photography #photoshoot #canon #canon7d #canon7dmarkii #paradise #plant #plants #plantsofinstagram (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ4m4ObhXR9/?utm_medium=tumblr

EliLai Sugiyama: War of the Whales by Joshua Horwitz: A particularly well written account of another grievous threats to our precious cetacean. . Calvin Idek Leidich: A Fish Caught in Time by Samantha Weinberg: The discovery of a living fossil in 1938 led to a eureka moment in science as well as a reflection of our deep ancestry. . Isaiah Madlutk: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Vern: Published as science fiction in 1871, the novel is now a classic adventure tale. . Cobi Jones: The House on the Cliff by Franklin W. Dixon. A Youth adventure story from the Hardy Boys series. . Ron Leidich Spying on Whales by Nick Pyenson: The story of Cetaceans past and present written through the lens of an exceptionally talented Paleontologist. . Kendra Miluu Leidich: Shells by Geerat J. Vermeij: A detailed analysis discussing the natural history of the snails which create the shells we all love to photograph and admire. . Macstyl Sasao: Citizens of the Sea by Nancy Knowlton: This book is packed with amazing photos and neat facts about various organisms that live in the sea. . #palau #paddlingpalau #books #pasifikareadathonchallenge #bookstagram #booklover #bookphotography #booklove #bookcommunity #bookreview #micronesia #booksofinstagram #booklife #bookish #bookstoread #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography #photooftheday #photo #photograph #photography #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photoday #photogram #photoeveryday #islandlife #island #islandliving (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQw86djBCOb/?utm_medium=tumblr

A pair of picturesque islands can be found, just to the North of the Ollei dock, in Palau’s Northern state of Ngarchelong. Ngerkeklau and Ngerechur are blessed with stunning white beaches, old growth forests, and exceptional marine life. Photo and Aerials by Ron Leidich #palau #paddlingpalau #kororpalau #micronesia #island #islandlife #islandliving #islandvibes #islandpeople #aerialphotography #aerialview #aerial #dronevideo #droneoftheday #dronephotography #dronestagram #drone #dronepilot #dronelife #photooftheday #photos #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photoday #photo #photograph #photogram #photoeveryday #photography (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQrwH4ChFz2/?utm_medium=tumblr

A short boat ride from the Northern state of Ngarchelong leads to a precious island habitat known as Ngerechur. Surrounded by white sand flats, this isolated volcanic island is home to endangered Megapodes, flocks of fruit bats, and lush tropical vegetation. The inundated sand flats attract baby sharks, stingrays, mantas, green turtles, and even dugong. A group of entrepreneurs and visionaries are now creating a small scale eco-lodge which will make this island paradise accessible to adventurous groups of visitors. Thank you Naomi, and the Seid family for sharing this exquisite habitat with the Paddling Palau family. This is a memory we’ll forever cherish. . Photo by Ron Leidich . #palau #kororpalau #paddlingpalau #aerialphotography #aerialview #aerial #dronevideo #droneoftheday #dronephotography #dronestagram #drone #dronepilot #dronelife #islandlife #islandliving #islandvibes #island #micronesia #photooftheday #photos #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photoday #photo #photograph #photogram #photoeveryday #photography #photoshoot (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQpL9bBhtUa/?utm_medium=tumblr

The Palau National Marine Sanctuary delivers AGAIN!!! Dwarf Sperm Whales are one of the least understood Cetacean species on earth. They avoid boats and people (wisely) and reside in especially deep waters. Though they frequent Palau’s waters, they are very rarely encountered due to their habit of sinking when approached. They’ll float at the surface between deep dives (logging) with only their head and dorsal fin sticking out of the water. They rarely breach and won’t bow ride like their dolphin cousins. When frightened they’ll emit a purple dye into the water to disguise their escape, in a similar fashion to squid ink. Thus we found ourselves exceptionally fortunate to have finally captured them from the quad copter on Thursday, June 24. The footage shows a pair of adults, one youngster, and a playful newborn calf. The Dwarf Sperm Whales are so elusive, that we’d failed in a dozen previous attempts to capture these enigmatic oceanic ghosts. The ocean hides her secrets well, and we’re absolutely blessed to capture a window into the world of these mysterious beings. . Photo & Video by Ron Leidich & Calvin Idek Leidich Video edit by @kathquintela . #palau #paddlingpalau #paddling #whale #whales #spermwhale #spermwhalewatching #dwarfspermwhale #micronesia #kororpalau #dronevideo #droneoftheday #dronephotography #dronestagram #drone #dronepilot #dronefly #sketch #sketching #draw #drawing #drawings #whaledrawing #illustration #illustrationartists #canon #canon7d #canon7dmarkii #canonphotography #photooftheday (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQmn0MjqyOo/?utm_medium=tumblr

What’s in a name? Beach Cabbage is a littoral zone shrub found across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Palau it’s known as Korai, in Guam it’s called Nanasu, and in Hawaii it goes by the name Naupata. Each Pacific Island culture has learned that the liquid from the fruit is a vasoconstrictor and thus can be used to cure sore eyes (nature’s Visine). The Latin name (Scaevola taccada) is equally interesting: “Scaevus” is Greek and means “left handed.” The five peddle flower certainly looks like an open hand. But there’s more to this story: Gaius Mucius Cordus was a warrior from Rome, sent to assassinate the Clusian King, Lars Porsena. Gaius was instead captured before he could complete his deed. As a testament to the bravery of his nation, Gaius thrust his hand over an open fire without flinching and claimed that the Romans had no fear of death or pain. Porsena was so shocked by the act of bravery that he released Gaius, and quickly sent emissaries to sue for peace with Rome. Gaius was rewarded with land and given the cognomen, Scaevus = Left Handed. It’s hard to look at Korai and not remember Gaius Mucius Cordus’ act of defiant bravery. . Photo by Elilai Sugiyama & Ron Leidich . #palau #paddlingpalau #micronesia #flowers #scaevola #flower #flowerstagram #islandlife #islandliving #islandvibes #island #photooftheday #photoftheday #photos #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photo #photograph #photogram #photoeveryday #photography #photoshoot #photoday #canon7d #canon #canon7dmarkii #canonphotography #canonphoto #canon_photos (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQhgqPFBrac/?utm_medium=tumblr

What’s in a name? Beach Cabbage is a littoral zone shrub found across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Palau it’s known as Korai, in Guam it’s called Nanasu, and in Hawaii it goes by the name Naupata. Each Pacific Island culture has learned that the liquid from the fruit is a vasoconstrictor and thus can be used to cure sore eyes (nature’s Visine). The Latin name (Scaevola taccada) is equally interesting: “Scaevus” is Greek and means “left handed.” The five peddle flower certainly looks like an open hand. But there’s more to this story: Gaius Mucius Cordus was a warrior from Rome, sent to assassinate the Clusian King, Lars Porsena. Gaius was instead captured before he could complete his deed. As a testament to the bravery of his nation, Gaius thrust his hand over an open fire without flinching and claimed that the Romans had no fear of death or pain. Porsena was so shocked by the act of bravery that he released Gaius, and quickly sent emissaries to sue for peace with Rome. Gaius was rewarded with land and given the cognomen, Scaevus = Left Handed. It’s hard to look at Korai and not remember Gaius Mucius Cordus’ act of defiant bravery. . Photo by Elilai Sugiyama & Ron Leidich . #palau #paddlingpalau #micronesia #flowers #scaevola #flower #flowerstagram #islandlife #islandliving #islandvibes #island #photooftheday #photoftheday #photos #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photo #photograph #photogram #photoeveryday #photography #photoshoot #photoday #canon7d #canon #canon7dmarkii #canonphotography #canonphoto #canon_photos (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQhgqPFBrac/?utm_medium=tumblr

Happy Fathers Day!!! We chose the Cardinal Fish (Family Apogonidae) as our symbol of fatherhood for this special day, due to devotion of the male partner. After the female lays her eggs, the male Cardinal Fish will fertilize them before slurping them up into his mouth. He’ll then hold onto the precious eggs (mouth brooding) for up to 20 days until the youngsters are ready to hatch. The males are forced to fast during this period, but their reward will be a safe and healthy clutch of colorful youngsters. We’re celebrating all of the world’s fathers today, above and below. . . Photo by Ron Leidich . . #palau #paddlingpalau #fathersday #happyfathersday #cardinalfish #fish #fishlife #underwaterphoto #underwater #underwaterworld #underwaterphotography #photooftheday #photos #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photo #photograph #photogram #photoeveryday #photography #micronesia #islandlife #island #islandliving #islandvibes #fatherslove #fatherhood #father #malecardinalfish (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQUmldrq-Qv/?utm_medium=tumblr

To the North of Palau there lies a sparsely inhabited paradise which few visitors will ever have the chance to experience. This natural atoll is only accessible by boat when the Eastern trade winds settle down, calming the Pacific Ocean swell. Sprawling beaches, pristine forests, ancient cultural sites, and gorgeous reef can all be found within the protection of the encircling atoll. Lucky are those who live in this outpost of tropical luxury. . . Photo by Ron Leidich . . #palau #paddlingpalau #micronesia #kayangel #kayangelisland #droneoftheday #dronephotography #dronestagram #drone #dronepilot #dronelife #dronelife #paddling #paddleboarding #photooftheday #photos #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #photo #photograph #photoeveryday #islandlife #islandliving #islandvibes #island #islandgirl #photography #photoshoot #photogram (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQM4n35hzmr/?utm_medium=tumblr

OCTOPUS DREAMS by Ron Leidich Possessing three of hearts and legs of eight With cardio like that I’d never be late With brains of plenty and intellect to spare Of games I’d play and chances I’d dare My arms are sticky my blood is blue My head collapses and squeezes right through Skin color can change from red to white I mimic the coral, I’m out of sight To give up air and embrace the sea Trading places with cephalopods I’d happily be . . Photo by Udoud Masaharu, Elilai Sugiyama & Ron Leidich . . #palau #paddlingpalau #octopus #underwaterphoto #underwater #underwaterworld #underwaterphotography #micronesia #poem #poemoftheday #poems #poemsofinstagram #photooftheday #photo #photos #photograph #photographylover #photographer #photodaily #island #islandvibes #islandliving #islandlife #photogram #kayak #kayaklife #kayakingfun #kayakingpalau #photoeveryday #photoshoot (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQKUB1JBCFz/?utm_medium=tumblr

If you spend enough time with Mesekui, they’ll treat you as one of their own. During this solo outing I was filming a beautiful mother with her calf, when a larger male cut in between us. His message was crystal clear: “Back off skinny, this girl’s mine.” . . Photo by Ron Leidich . . #palau #paddlingpalau #dugongs #dugong #underwaterphoto #underwatervideo #underwater #underwaterworld #underwaterphotography #premiere #premierepro #photooftheday #photo #photoftheday #photos #photograph #photogram #photographer #photodaily #kayakingfun #kayaklife #kayakingpalau #kayaking #kayak #kayakingadventures #paddling #paddle #island #islandlife #islandliving (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQHuT_BBTHF/?utm_medium=tumblr

Sitting within paddle distance of the shores of Koror, Nikko Bay hides some of Palau’s oldest and most diverse coral assemblages. Winds, waves, surf, and surge cannot disturb the delicate corals within the protective embrace of Nikko’s spiraling limestone walls. Adorned with caves, tunnels, arches, and mushroom shaped islands, this paddler’s paradise makes for a great escape. . . #palau #paddlingpalau #micronesia #kayakingfun #kayakingpalau #kayaking #kayakingadventures #kayak #paddling #paddle #droneoftheday #dronephotography #dronestagram #drone #dronepilot #dronelife #dronefly #photooftheday #photo #photoftheday #photos #photograph #photogram #photographylover #photoeveryday #photographer #photodaily #photography #photoshoot #islandlife (at Palau) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQFI3gdhSi8/?utm_medium=tumblr