Moluccas Collection (#4)

Black-axil Chromis (Chromis atripectoralis) adult, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) adult female, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Randalls Anthias (Pseudanthias randalli) adult, swimming, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Black-backed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) adult, swimming, Tanjung Muara, Sermata Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Shortsnout Boxfish (Ostracion rhinorhynchos) adult, swimming, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Two-spot Red Snapper (Lutjanus bohar) adult, swimming, Reong West, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Three-lined Blenny (Ecsenius trilineatus) adult, resting beside sea-squirts, Tanjung Tutunuuake, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Bicolour Fangblenny (Plagiotremus laudandus) adult, sheltering in coral, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Threadfin Anthias (Pseudanthias huchtii) adult female, swimming, Tanjung Muara, Sermata Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Coral reef habitat with fish shoal and hill above surface of water, Crucifixion Point, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Sleepy Sponge Crab (Dromia dormia) adult, with sponge on back for camouflage at night, Alor Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Soft coral in sea cave habitat, Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Soft Coral (Siphonogorgia godeffroyi) Nyata Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Bulb Tentacle Sea Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) colony in habitat, Valley of the Clowns, Pura Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, November

Long-rayed Sand-diver (Trichonotus elegans) adult, swimming, Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, October

Indonesia, Ambon Island (Moluccas), Parade ground by Dumont d Urville from Voyage of discovery of Astrolabe, engraving
History of Exploration, 19th century, Indonesia. Ambon Island (Moluccas), parade ground. Engraving taken from the Voyage of discovery of the Astrolabe, by Dumont d Urville (1826-1829)

Fishing in Banda Islands, 17th century C017 / 8055
Fishing in Banda Islands, 17th-century artwork. This scene is from a Dutch voyage to the East Indies (Indonesia). The Banda Islands (part of the Spice Islands or Moluccas)

Dobbo in the Trading Season
Plate opposite page 472 from The Malay Archipelago by Alfred Russel Wallace, London 1874

Native Houses, Wokan, Arru Islands, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Native child, Moluccas, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Dobbo, Arru Island, Moluccas, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876), funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Village at Dobbo, Moluccas, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876), funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Ternate from Challenger, Ternate Moluccas, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Volcano with straw roofed house in foreground, Moluccas, Ind
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Native Houses, Ki Dulan, Moluccas

Causeway and Houses, Ki Dulan, Moluccas, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876), funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Banyan tree, Ki Dulan, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Natives of Dobbo, Arru Island, Moluccus, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Native house in Aru
From My Life - A record of events and opinions by Alfred Russel Wallace, London 1908

Native Houses, Dobbo, Aru Islands
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876), funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Native Chief and Son, Dobbo, Moluccas
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Village at Dobbo, Arru Islands, Moluccas, Indonesia
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876), funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Nutmeg - on the tree - Spice Islands - Indonesia
BMD-303 Nutmeg - on the tree Spice Islands - Indonesia Myristica fragrans Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Nutmeg - fruit Nutmeg and Mace in hand after picking
BMD-302 Nutmeg - fruit Nutmeg and Mace in hand after picking Spice Islands - Indonesia Myristica fragrans Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Nutmeg and Mace - close-up Spice Islands - Indonesia
BMD-300 Nutmeg and Mace - close-up Spice Islands - Indonesia Myristica fragrans Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Nutmeg and mace - close-up in hand
BMD-301 Nutmeg and mace - close-up in hand Spice Islands - Indonesia Myristica fragrans Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Nutmeg and Mace
BMD-299 Nutmeg and Mace Spice island, Indonesia Myristica fragrans Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Cloves - drying in the streets - Spice Islands - Indonesia
BMD-289 Cloves - drying in the streets Spice Islands - Indonesia island Syzygium aromaticum Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Cloves - just after picking -Ternate Indonesia
BMD-287 Cloves - just after picking Ternate Indonesia Syzygium aromaticum Brian McDairmant contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Staghorn Coral (Acropora sp. ) on reef habitat, Bingkudu Island, Penyu Islands, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia
Staghorn Coral (Acropora sp.) on reef habitat, Bingkudu Island, Penyu Islands, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Red Soft Glomerate Tree Coral (Dendronephthya sp. ) on reef, diver with light and camera, Kadola Island, Penyu Islands
Red Soft Glomerate Tree Coral (Dendronephthya sp.) on reef, diver with light and camera, Kadola Island, Penyu Islands, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Feather-star (Crinoidea sp. ) on Staghorn Coral (Acropora sp. ) in reef habitat, Bingkudu Island, Penyu Islands
Feather-star (Crinoidea sp.) on Staghorn Coral (Acropora sp.) in reef habitat, Bingkudu Island, Penyu Islands, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Broadclub Cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) adult pair, mating, Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Reticulated Moray Eel (Gymnothorax richardsoni) adult, swimming in reef, Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Dead and decaying fish from fishing boats and rubbish on seabed, Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) juvenile, swimming in reef, Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Blue Starfish (Linckia laevigata) two adults, on bommie with sponge and fish, Ameth Point, Nusa Laut, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Coleman's Shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) adult, on Fire Urchin (Asthenosoma varium), Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

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The Moluccas, also known as the Spice Islands, have a rich history intertwined with sailing ships and exotic spices. These islands were once the center of the global spice trade, particularly for mace and nutmeg from the Myristica fragrans tree. In this captivating image, we are transported to Ki Dulan, a Mahometan Mosque located in the heart of Moluccas, Indonesia. The mosque stands tall amidst lush greenery and vibrant flowers that surround it. Traveling back in time to 1646, we witness Indonesian locals gathering pepper - another prized spice found abundantly in these islands. Their diligent work reflects their deep connection to their land's bountiful resources. Nature enthusiasts would be thrilled by an endemic Salmon-crested cockatoo perched gracefully on a branch. This magnificent bird is native to Seram Island within the Moluccas archipelago; its striking appearance adds color and life to this tropical paradise. A composite image showcases Wallacea's giant bee alongside a European honey bee. These fascinating creatures highlight both the diversity and interconnectedness of our natural world. Delving into underwater wonders, we encounter a veined octopus nestled between clam shell halves off Ambon Island in Maluku Archipelago. Its intricate camouflage skills leave us mesmerized by nature's ingenuity. The people who call these islands home are diverse too; Bugis Islanders from Makassar coexist harmoniously with other inhabitants (Indonesia). Their cultural exchange enriches this region even further. As we explore further across Asia, our journey takes us through Rhun Island - one of many jewels within Maluku's Spice Islands. Here lies evidence of a wrecked ship that serves as a reminder of past maritime adventures undertaken by brave explorers seeking new horizons. Finally, let us meet two individuals from Cochin China (Vietnam) captured beautifully in 1818.