Philippines (Visayas)

A small boy shows the toy boat he has constructed from flotsam. Madridejos, Bantayan Island, Cebu Province.

The “wet market” in Bantayan town, Bantayan Island, always has a selection of volutes and pectens for sale.

Simon with American ‘legend’ Phil Clover, at Phil’s house on Mactan Island. Photo by Roxitte Lims.

Famed Philippine shell collector Victor Dan (left), with Simon and Teresita Datulayta. This is the house of Chris Polong in Punta Engaño – can you see Chris in the picture?

Simon approaches Calituban Island for the first time. Calituban is such a low-lying island that it seems below the horizon until you get close.

Simon walks the main street of Calituban Island at low tide, tailed by a crowd of children who may never have seen a Westerner.

The main street of Calituban Island is always under water at high tide.

The children of Calituban Island are always happy to pose for a group photograph.

Calituban Island has a "town square" with tables set up for games.

Children sit mesmerised by a television in what is effectively the Calituban Island 'cinema'.

A hookah diver from Calituban Island prepares for another dive.

Hookah divers collecting Pinnidae in the Camotes Sea. The equipment is basic; notice that the closest diver has only one home-made fin.

Simon at dusk in the Camotes Sea, on a boat out of Nocnocan Island. Photo by Johan Cabilao.

Nocnocan Island is tiny and is overflowing with houses.

Very few Westerners visit Nocnocan Island, and the children will always want you to take their picture.

Two of the so-called “valentia divers” from Nocnocan sit with Simon on their boat in the Camotes Sea, after their successful night dive. The two Leporicypraea valentia were collected at 70m, using only hookah. Most of the Nocnocan men who have attempted these dives have been lost. Photo by Johan Cabilao.

When you leave Nocnocan Island it seems that the whole population turns out to wave you off.

Arsing (2nd-left) and his children show Simon their tangle nets at Momo Beach, Panglao Island. Photo by Teresita Datulayta.

Tangle net fishermen examine Gorgonia which have just come up in their net. Off Momo Beach, Panglao Island.

Living Lambis lambis and L. millepeda are for sale on a street stall in Doljo Beach, Panglao Island. Edible Lambis are ‘saang’ in Cebuano.

Simon approaches Balicasag Island, a 9km trip from Panglao Island.

Simon examines deep-water shells on Balicasag Island. All transactions are handled by the island women, while the men observe from a short distance.

Balicasag Island (right), with Siquijor beyond. Both islands have produced some of the most exciting Philippine shells.

A low tide at dusk exposes the reef at Larena, Siquijor Island. Negros is in the background, and the southern tip of Cebu can be seen on the right.

Simon collects landsnails in the forest near San Antonio, Siquijor. This is a good locality for Anixa siquijorensis. Photo by Boy Hora.

Praying mantis (Hierodula sp.), Candagsao, Olango Island. Family Mantidae.

Grasshawk (Neurothemis terminata), San Antonio, Siquijor, Philippines. Family Libellulidae.

Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), near Candagsao, Olango Island. Family Formicidae.

Wasp moth (Amata sp.), Candagsao, Olango Island. Family Erebidae.

Larva of an unidentified butterfly (Lepidoptera sp.), near Talima, Olango Island.

Planthopper (Dictyophara sp.), near Himensulan, Pacijan Island (Camotes Islands). Family Dictyopharidae.