Philippines (Mindanao)

Approaching Aliguay Island. The crossing from Dipolog is 22km and you can get quite wet. This little girl, Nene, is excited to be returning home.

Rolai fishes for shells off Aliguay Island. The fishing technique is almost a cross between trawling and dredging, which explains the apparent contradictions between some shell data labels.

Irlista and Brudyot work on a brand new fishing boat, on Aliguay Island.

Simon seeks coconuts on Aliguay Island. Photo by Johan Cabilao.

At dawn, Simon leaves Aliguay for Selinog Island and on to Siquijor, a 68km one-way trip. This is the largest boat I’ve ever chartered. Photo by Johan Cabilao.

Simon (sitting on ground) in Malibago, Zamboanga del Norte. The blue sea stars are Linckia laevigata (family Ophidiasteridae). Photo by Dave Aque.

Rice bug (Leptocorisa sp.), outside Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte. Family Alydidae.

An unidentified planthopper (Flatidae sp.), Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte.

Unidentified planthoppers (Fulgoromorpha sp.), outside Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte.

Early morning at Dadatan on Talikud Island, Gulf of Davao. In the distance is Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines at 2954m.

Geoffroy's rousettes (Rousettus amplexicaudatus) in a cave near Dadatan, Talikud Island, Gulf of Davao. Family Pteropodidae.

Jumping spider (Viciria praemandibularis), Kaputian, Samal Island, Gulf of Davao. Family Salticidae.

Fishing spider (Nilus albocinctus), San Remegio, Samal Island, Gulf of Davao. Family Pisauridae.

Ladybirds (Coccinellidae sp.), San Remegio, Samal Island, Gulf of Davao.

Planthopper (Ricaniidae sp.), Kaputian, Samal Island, Mindanao, Gulf of Davao.

A large but unidentified shield bug (Pentatomidae sp.), near Dadatan, Talikud Island, Gulf of Davao.

The ferry to Balut Island from General Santos is not for the faint-of-heart. The boat carries cargo as well as passengers. The 12-hour overnight trip is normally rough, and often wet. The passenger decks are choked with diesel fumes.

In the early morning, these Balut Island fishermen have already hauled up their tangle nets and they return to their village of Tinina.

Fishermen re-load their tangle nets in Tinina, Balut Island. Many of the most desirable Philippine shells are known only from Balut.

A short stretch of the road through Tinina is concrete.

Simon (centre-back) stands with the Parilla family outside their sari-sari store in Mabila, Balut Island. The Parilla family very graciously hosted Simon on his first visit to Balut.

Balut Island is a volcano with relatively steep sides that slope straight down into the sea. Here, Simon stands above the village of Lipol, where some fishermen are based.

From high up on Balut Island it is sometimes possible to see the southernmost islands of Sulawesi (Indonesia). Note that North is DOWN on the map, to match the view looking south from Balut.

Spiny orb-weaver (Gasteracantha janopol), on the Balut Island volcano. Family Araneidae.

Yellow-horned spider (Gasteracantha hecata), on the Balut Island volcano. Family Araneidae.

Two-striped jumper (Telamonia dimidiata), near Mabila, Balut Island. Family Salticidae.

Jewel bug (Scutelleridae sp.), near Mabila, Balut Island.

Leaf-footed bug (Coreidae sp.), Tinina, Balut Island.

Nymph of an unidentified assassin bug (Reduviidae sp.), near Gomtago, Balut Island. The animal covers itself with detritus.

Footman moth (Barsine cuneonotata), Mabila, Balut Island. Family Erebidae.

A large ladybird species (Megalocaria dilatata), at the summit of the Balut Island volcano. Family Coccinellidae.