Solitude Lembeh Resort

iNaturalist Update 🌱

Our community has officially logged 228 species across Lembeh and Anilao! While that is an impressive milestone, we know the count is only going to climb. Looking at the data, can you guess which animal currently holds the title for the most sightings?

The winner is - you guessed it - the Hairy Frogfish! 🏆

Does this mean Lembeh is more "hairy" than any other family of frogfish, or that they outnumber every other critter in the strait? Not necessarily. It more likely means that nobody can keep their fingers off the shutter button when the "Star of the Strait" makes an appearance! 😅

Perhaps, in the end, this study reveals more about the excitement of the photographers than the actual census of the sea - but hey, we aren't scientists, we're just fans!

Tangkoko Tour

our Tarsir family got babies 😍😍😍

Thank you Susanne for this beautiful photo!

By the way, this image was taken with a telephone! You don't need a fancy camera to bring back memories from your encounters 😉

TIPS & TRICKS: Finding Beauty in the Commonplace

The Pteraeolidia semperi, often called the Blue Dragon, might not seem like the most exciting nudibranch at first glance. They are ubiquitous across the sandy bottom, often appearing as long, murky brown shapes crawling through the silt. Because they are so common, many divers swim right past them, but these "boring" nudis are hiding a spectacular secret for those patient enough to look closer.

The challenge with the Blue Dragon is the composition; their length and drab surroundings make a striking photo difficult to capture. However, if you keep your eyes peeled, you can hit the photography jackpot. Look for individuals perched on a small branch or a piece of debris rising from the sand. This elevated position provides the clean background separation you need to make the subject pop. If you are lucky enough to find one tending to its intricate egg coils, you have found a masterpiece. Suddenly, this common animal shines with a complexity that rivals the rarest species in the ocean.

The Lesson: Never skip an animal just because it’s "common" in your eyes. Slow down, observe their behavior, and look for those special moments. The best shot of your dive might be waiting on the very animal you usually swim over!

📸 Anna Ewa Manzel

Our restaurant opens up the view to our roof terrasse and to the Lembeh Strait and on the other side to our pool area with reclining beds.

Don't forget to check our Happy Hour and other offers 🍹

PLAYFULLNESS

Playing around with some new ideas for artificial backgrounds 😁

Not completly there yet, need to practise and try out more to unveil all the oportunities coming from that new idea.

Lighting with MiniGear - Europe MG-35 video torch for the background and 2x MiniGear - Europe Snoot torches for the nudibranch.

f 5.6, 1/250, Iso 320

📸 Patrick Neumann

iNaturalist 🌱

You remember that we are still collecting sightings of underwater animals for our 3 years species study?

We already have 720 observations! Big shoutout for your contribution!

And if you also want to contribute to science we have a small reminder.

Way 1 (if your photos are on your desktop)
Go to following website
https://www.inaturalist.org/
Join our project "Solitude World Species Study in Lembeh & Anilao / in the Coral Triangle"
Upload your observations and contribute to science 😎

Way 2 (if your photos are on a mobile device)
Download the app iNaturalist
Join our project "Solitude World Species Study ... and the rest you already know 😁😁😁

Who can find Scuba? Yes, it's pretty easy but we wanted to have a reason to show you our garden.
But actually we don't need to find a reason to show you how beautiful it is.

Your Name could stand here 😉

Did you already meet Rezza, one of our newest team addition? Actually he is already over a year our Front Office staff but we failed to introduce him.

He is the youngest member of our Solitude Lembeh family and since his job interview, where he really impressed us with his knowledge about the Solitude World Group, he every day brings us joy with his friendly but highly professional manner with a great personal touch.

If you want to meet Rezza or the others from our loveley Front Office Team, Sary and Hana, you will need to visit us 😁

Colour Transformation of a Pinnate Batfish

The dramatic metamorphosis of the pinnate batfish is a strategic survival mechanism known as Batesian mimicry. In its juvenile stage, the fish is nearly unrecognizable compared to its mature form, sporting a jet-black body framed by a vivid, electric-orange border. Its fins are exceptionally long and flowing, allowing it to undulate through the water in a way that perfectly replicates the movement of a toxic polyclad flatworm. Because these flatworms are chemically defended and unpalatable to predators, the defenseless juvenile batfish adopts this "warning" aesthetic to trick larger hunters into leaving it alone. This specific phase is a high-stakes game of visual deception where looking dangerous is the best form of protection.

As the fish grows and moves into deeper reef environments, this mimicry becomes less effective and biologically expensive to maintain. The adult pinnate batfish undergoes a complete aesthetic overhaul, shedding its vibrant orange trim and deep black base in favor of a sophisticated silver and dusky grey palette. Its once-dramatic fins shorten and round out, resulting in a classic spade-shaped profile. This transition represents a shift from Batesian mimicry to crypsis and social safety. The silver coloration helps the fish blend into the dappled light of the reef or disappear within a school of other fish, proving that while the juvenile survives by standing out, the adult thrives by fitting in.

📸 Patrick Neumann

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Real Focus ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It's over! Today the last photos for the shootout were taken and now you have to wait a whole year till you get the chance to shoot your way to the winning circle.

Our guides are quite relieved because one of their trademarks is that they are photography guides and they love to assist you during your struggle to get your image. They now can continue helping you with snooting, directing lights because this too makes their job so interesting.

Don't forget to upload your edited JPGs to our platform till the end of the following month so our judges can choose their favourite captures.

It was a memorable time for us all, and as David already stated: Everyone is already a winner just by participating this first Real Focus Shootout 💙

Underwater Photography Shootout 2026
15 February to 30 April 2026
Locations: Solitude Acacia Resort (Anilao) & Solitude Lembeh Resort (Lembeh)

Read again our rules
https://solitude.world/rules-conditions/

Staff Outing 2026
Part 2

We climbed up to a volcano place with lot of sulfur but the steps were so tireing that we were to weak to take photos 😅