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Sardine Run, Wetpixel Trip, Updates! |
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Jun 25 2006, 04:37 AM
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The Devil

Admin
Posts: 4,664
San Francisco, CA

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Hey, guys! The Wetpixel Sardine Run group has been having great luck so far. We haven't had any big bait balls yet, but both days we've been able to go out (2 of 4, so far), we've had small bait balls and tons of dolphin, whale, and ganet activity. This is extreme diving at its finest.  The Wetpixel group:  We're bumping into Drew every once in awhile. He maintains that he is staying in "civilization" down the coast for us, but you don't see him logging on and posting photos. hehehe. Giles is having many "firsts" here. "That's my first whale!" "That's my first dolphin!" "That's my first sandwich!" etc. etc. He hasn't been in cold water since he was certified, so it's funny to listen to him complain about being in a 5mm suit. We tried to get out early this morning (7am), but the conditions were too rough for a launch and probably too bad to be worth being out there. It's an off day today, so I thought I'd post a few images from the last two days. The Mbotyi River Lodge, from the air:  More photos from two days of water time:    
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Jun 25 2006, 04:49 AM
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Humpback Whale

Senior Moderator
Posts: 3,353
Australia some place.

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Hi Eric You guys look like something out of Team America Aquatic Version..... but where are the all the babes Great pics.....
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Jun 25 2006, 09:19 AM
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Wolf Eel
 
Industry
Posts: 197
Lakeland, Florida

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Eric:
Great shots as always! I love the last one. Keep 'em coming!
Doug
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www.debersole.com
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Jun 25 2006, 01:51 PM
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The Engineer

Admin
Posts: 9,571
Houston TX

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Have fun and be safe Eric. Great pix.
Oh, and tell Giles that I think he looks super-sexy in that wetsuit!
Cheers James
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Canon 1DsMkIII - Seacam Housing Dual Ikelite Strobes Photo site - www.reefpix.org
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Jun 25 2006, 05:27 PM
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Wolf Eel
 
Member
Posts: 167
Glendale, CA

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Great stuff! What kind of birds are those torpedoing from the surface?
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--------- Jeff Laity -- Underwater GalleryCanon 5DmkII, Ikelite Housing, Inon Z-220 strobes
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Jun 25 2006, 11:46 PM
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The Devil

Admin
Posts: 4,664
San Francisco, CA

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The water has been really warm here, so a 5mm would be totally fine at the surface (20 deg C). However, when (if?) we get some action and get in on scuba, it will be much more comfortable in a 7mm.  By the way, the Wetpixel group is: Eric Cheng Ken Howard Matt Moreno Giles Shaxted Flann Horgan Jurg Vonwil Lucien Schmidlin Son Ly Also, Michael Aw and Franco Banfi are here. There are multiple film crews around, too, including an IMAX team with a helicopter. Bad weather prevented us from going out again today, so it's been 2 of 5 days out on the water! 3 more days in the water with SEAL, and then Giles, Ken and I will be out 7 days with Drew.
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Jun 29 2006, 11:37 PM
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The Devil

Admin
Posts: 4,664
San Francisco, CA

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We've just finished our 10 days with SEAL Expeditions. Of our 8 possible days, we were actually out on the water for 5, and even though we saw (small) bait balls around, it was unusual for everything to come together in such a way that even warranted getting into the water. At least 9-10 boats out on the water rushing to get in on big action didn't make anything easier, and sometimes it seemed that the incoming zodiacs themselves would break up the action (when skippers decided to just zoom in instead of skirting around the edge). But the entire experience was altogether enjoyable, and we've all had a great time here. Ken, Giles and I are now at the Outspan Inn in Port St. Johns, and will be here with Drew for 6-7 more days out on the water. I hope we get a proper bait ball so we can have the opportunity to attempt to get some good images! More photos: Matt, Giles, Son, and Cain (our guide) on horses. Gallopy horses, that made our bums sore.  The most beautiful double rainbow I've ever seen, right from the Mbotyi River Lodge:  Magwa Falls: 
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Jul 2 2006, 03:03 AM
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Wolf Eel
 
Member
Posts: 101
Switzerland

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yes was good fun but also tough and as already posted the big show was not (yet?) there...maybe next week for Eric, Ken and Giles or next year for me (maybe). In addition I got sick in between and have not many good underwater shots... but another highlight was the return trip since Lucien did not want to take the 5 hours bus ride and hence ordered a private chopper! And from up there we got some humpbacks mother-baby and breaching action! unfortunate not as tack sharp as I wished albeit shot with the 70-200 VR (plus 2x teleconverter) at ISO 200 and between 1/750 and 1/1500 sec! Would you believe that? Obviously shooting out of a fast moving helicopter with a tele lens requires something like ISO 800 and 1/8000 sec max shutter speed...another new experience!
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Juerg Vonwil www.jvpictures.comNikon D2X, Nikon 12-24, 17-55, 70-180, 10.5, Subal ND2 housing and ports, 2 Subtronic Nova
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