Posts Tagged ‘underwater photography’
See them now before they are gone
A Publisher’s by Stephen Frink in Alert Diver Magazine put in writing some feelings I have had for a long time (sorry no reprint of the editorial that I can find). The article was about his feelings and observations of urgency among divers and photographers to see large critters, reefs, and the like. He related a few examples where he squandered chances to see and photograph reefs and corals which are now gone.
I too feel this urgency and not always for reasons of environmental or habitat destruction. I too mourn a favorite staghorn coral garden now deceased, but I also fear our opportunities to experience manatees, whales, sharks will be regulated away while rhinos, gorillas, and sailfish will be poached out of existence.
I will continue to offer trips to see these natural wonders and be frustrated when I have empty slots unfilled – don’t people release that every year could be the last chance to see these wonderful sites?
Edited: March 11th, 2012
The Strange and Mysterious Greenland Shark
Dr Chris Harvey-Clark was a guest on our January 2012 Tiger Shark Expedition and was kind enough to tell everyone the tale of his discovery of the Greenland Shark.
Read about his discovery and the efforts to conduct further study on this slow and cold member of the shark species.
Edited: February 18th, 2012
Announcing Dates for 2013 Tiger Shark Adventure
get face to face with a tiger shark March 2013
March 8 – 14 2013 $2,700
Join us for an exciting week of diving in the clear warm waters of the Bahamas and Tiger Beach. This is all about sharks and a great opportunity for underwater photography
This comfortable and professional liveaboard has been in the business for years and has been on Shark Week many times. Experience your own Shark Week - book now or miss out
This could be you in March 2013
” The best dive trip I have ever been on” – comment from 2012 guest See my trip log here
All the details are on my website www.TigerSharkDive.com
See my other trips: South Africa Wild Safari, manatee photography workshop, Sailfish and Whale sharks in Mexico
Edited: February 7th, 2012
2013 Sailfish Trip Dates Announced
The Sailfish Trip for 2013 is set and I am now taking bookings for the 5 spaces. This trip is limited to just 5 people per boat for comfort and maximum opportunity to get great shots and encounters during the hunt.
1 space remains for these dates.
Price will be $3,500 which includes shared hotel room , airport transfers, and some meals.
Some openings are available on these other dates. Please enquire about securing a spot.
Dec 29th (arrive) – Jan 4 (depart)
Jan 3 – Jan 9
Jan 9 – Jan 15
Jan 20 – Jan 26
Jan 25 – Jan 31
Jan 30 – Feb 7 ( 7 days on Boat) *inquire for price
See details on my website or contact me
Edited: February 2nd, 2012
Tiger Shark Expedition Report on Website
All the guests signed the TIger Shark Flag after our first encounter
The 2012 Tiger Shark Dive Expedition was fantastic! The weather was great and so was the company. All of the photographers came back with great photos and some said it was the best dive trip they had ever been on.
Read my Expedition Report on my Website
Still have spaces for my April Safari in South Africa - inquire now!
Edited: February 2nd, 2012
Tiger Shark Dive Expedition was filled with great encounters
Everyone disembarked the boat a bit tired but exhilarated by the 5 wonderful days of diving and sharks. The weather could not have been more beautiful and the tiger sharks were abundant. The photographers in the group returned with excellent photographs and the non photographers in the group had some exciting memories.
I really enjoyed meeting all of the wonderful people on this trip and seeing again the excellent crew on the Dolphin Dream.
I am still trying to secure dates for a Feb or March 2013 expedition on this popular boat and I have booked March 1 – 7th for 2014. See my photo tours website for details on this and my other trips or visit www.TigerSharkDive.com
Edited: January 15th, 2012
Florida Expands Shark Protection
On Nov. 16, 2011 discussions chaired by the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were held on the topic of adding four of the ocean’s larger species of sharks (Greater Hammerhead, Scalloped Hammerhead, Smooth Hammerhead and Tiger) to the State’s listing of prohibited species to both commercial and recreational harvest.
FWC has already taken a proactive stance in protecting large coastal species, demonstrated last February when they put into law Lemon Sharks as a prohibited species making it illegal kill one in state waters.
This last meeting ended with the FWC voting another ground-breaking shark protection measure that will in effect make it illegal for anglers fishing state waters to keep tiger sharks or any of the three mentioned species of hammerhead sharks.
A Tiger Shark
The measure will thereby hopefully reverses the species downward spiral, which has shown population decline of more than fifty percent in recent years, by providing a safe haven in the states coastal waters.
Environmentalists praised the move and hope it will be adopted for federal waters by the National Marine Fisheries Services. “The federal government should make today’s new rule a consistent policy in all U.S. waters,” said Rebecca Greenberg, a marine scientist for Oceana.
The FWC is also working on an educational campaign highlighting fishing and handling techniques that increase the survival rate of sharks that are caught and released while ensuring the safety of the anglers targeting them.
The new rule, which will take effect Jan. 1, prohibits the possession, sale and exchange of tiger sharks and great, scalloped and smooth hammerhead sharks harvested from state waters. Another 22 species share similar protections.
Edited: November 19th, 2011
My Image Appears as the Cover Shot on Save the Manatee Club Calendar
I am honored to have my image selected to appear on the cover of the 2012 Save the Manatee Club Calendar.
Save the Manatee Club works to protect ample healthy habitat to sustain and grow the manatee population and works to reduce harassments, injuries, and deaths from human activity.
You can buy the calendar from Save the Manatee Club at the link below
http://www.savethemanatee.org/shop/
Greg will be holding a manatee photography workshop this January 22 – 28 Join us if you would like to get some really good manatee photos and learn from a practiced professional. details on Greg’s Photo Tour Website http://www.gregorysweeney.com
Edited: September 4th, 2011
Another beautiful day with the Whale Sharks
For our second day we had to move a few miles further out as the crib patch and the whale sharks had moved over night. Once we were on the site we could see that there were even more in one spot than the day before, maybe 150 – 200.
The sharks seemed to be swimming and feeding a little deeper under the surface than they had been on the previous day. Yesterday they skimmed right at the surface with the sound of water rushing into their mouths. Today some were just below the surface. This made it easier for them to sneak up on you from behind.
We had so much fun following an individual getting many great photos then shortly after you stop it would turn and loop back to you.
I had a few goals to my photography today: to get a silhouette against the surface taken from below and some close shots into the mouth and other anatomical features.
Edited: August 7th, 2011
First Day of our Whale Shark Adventure
We had a smooth travel day to Cancun and transfer to Isla Mujeres. We arrived in the late afternoon which afforded us the chance to wander leisurely down the streets and have long and relaxing dinner.
Today was our first day in the water. Our boat left the dock this morning and traveled calm waters under a sunny sky. We had no problem locating a large aggregation of whale sharks. The rest of the day would be spent in the water with them.
All around us the whale sharks swim at the surface with open mouths. They swim toward the boat and veer off at the last second. Accompanying them is a swooshing sound of the water rushing into wide open mouth and swirling around the exposed dorsal fin.
In the water is is possible to keep pace with an individual. When they make a turn you are well positioned to get a head on shot. As they continue by I have to be careful to avoid the large sideways arc of the tail . I look around and another is approaching not far behind me. When there is a pause in encounters it is not long before one or more are on their way.
I am smiling to myself enjoying this very special adventure. I have plenty of time to study and note all of the features of an individual’s anatomy: the spots, the shape of the fin built for maximum speed, the large gills to allow water to pass through. They seem so unfazed by our presence.
I am looking forward to getting more shots tomorrow in the continuing clear visibility, blue water, sunny skies , and flat seas.
What a Treat. Now it is Taco time!
Edited: August 6th, 2011
Preparing to Photograph Whale Sharks
Soon I will be leaving for Isla Mujeres to swim with and photograph whale sharks. The whale sharks skim the surface of the water feeding on bonito eggs. They come in large aggregations to the waters off of these Mexican islands in the southern Gulf of Mexico.
Many people have started traveling to see these aggregations and it seems that good ecotourism standards have been set up from the very beginning when this aggregation was first discovered.
I will see first hand and if I feel that this tourism benefits the protection of the whale sharks and sharks in general, I will arrange a special trip for a small number of guests and photographers for next summer.
Meanwhile I am practicing my free diving and getting my legs in shape for lots of swimming with fins on. I will post photos from my adventure.
Whale Shark Tracking Tags
Edited: July 27th, 2011
Florida may ban Tiger and Hammerhead capture
The state may ban the catch of tiger sharks and hammerheads in Florida waters, in the latest of a series of rules aimed at protecting the ocean’s top predators.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans a series of public workshops around the state to gather comments on a proposal to add these species to the prohibited list.
Sharks have undergone a severe worldwide decline over the past 20 years to serve the demand in China and other East Asian countries for shark fin soup. South Florida has emerged as a center of the shark-protection movement, particularly around the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
The commission is also considering a limit on chumming when fishing for sharks from shore. And it is considering a proposal to require circle hooks rather than j-hooks for catch-and-release fishing to cause less harm to the shark.
The photos illustrate the damage to tiger sharks and other species that I see on a regular basis on my shark diving charter in the Bahamas.
I still have spaces on my Tiger Shark Dive Expedition to the Bahamas January 2012 for those who are interested in cageless shark diving. Tiger Shark Dive.com
Edited: July 10th, 2011
Bahama Sharks book by Dave Skinner
We are happy to announce that one of the members of our shark trip 2011, Dave Skinner has published a book. His book Bahama Sharks , features many beautiful images and chronicles his adventures. His book can be previewed and purchased at:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/1539370/f7c0ae389885e2ce77abb2e9d7af987b
Edited: March 12th, 2011
Sailfish on the Hunt
Sailfish hunting during the sardine run this January
I have completed an article about my recent trip to Mexico to swim in the sardine run and photograph the hunting packs of the sailfish. I will be taking some guests with me in January 2012 – read the article and contact me if you would like to be one of the lucky ones who will experience this fantastic spectacle
Link to Sailfish Trip Article on my Website
Edited: March 4th, 2011
Raccoon in the Freshwater Springs
Sometimes when I am photographing underwater near a shoreline, I see some interesting things on the shore. This raccoon was looking breakfast along the edge of the freshwater spring. He was pretty curious about the big glass dome and attached creature (me) approaching from the water.
Edited: March 1st, 2011
