drsteve

We went late in the season on the Nautilus Explorer.  The advantages of going late in the year is that the big female white sharks show up, but you risk encountering poor weather.  We were very fortunate to hit perfectly flat conditions, clear water, and perfect visibility.  It was epic.  Here are a few photos from the trip.


White Nose eying the cage by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Three in one by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Agressive by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Big Smile by - drsteve -, on Flickr

There are more at Isla Guadalupe 2011 - a set on Flickr.  I am still working on the photos so check back periodically for more.

Enjoy!

One highlight of my recent Alaska trip aboard the Nautilus Swell was diving in the "smudges" of Patterson bay.  These are incredible blooms of moon jellies with tens out thousands of them pulsing hypnotically.  It is a surreal experience.  The biggest difference (although I have never been to Palau) is that they are in cold water.
The moon jellies are non-stinging, but frankly with a drysuit on it hardly makes a difference.  Here are a couple of my favorites.  The rest of the set can be found at: Alaska 2011 - a set on Flickr


Genn and the smudges by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Better than the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  :-) by - drsteve -, on Flickr

I recently returned from a 10 day dive trip through SE Alaska aboard the Nautilus Swell.  We had a great time and the diving was wonderful.  In this thread I want to recount an encounter with an unruly mob of Steller Sea Lions.

Alaska is home to a large population of Stellers.  Like California Sea Lions they are very curious and playful.  The big difference is that Stellers are MUCH bigger and MUCH more aggressive.  We were diving near Inian Island when a group of Stellers decided to play with us.  I was the only one in the group with a big camera and they were really interested in it.  They liked the strobes on the arms and their reflections in the dome port.  Like puppy dogs, everything goes in the mouth.  The only problem is that these playful sea dogs were 1000-2500lbs and have really big teeth!   Think of a Grizzly Bear with flippers!

First they started to nibble at my strobes, then the strobe cords, and drysuit.  After a while we had 20 animals whirling around us.  They started bashing me in the face with their flippers, repeatedly flooding my mask.  I was pressed against the bottom, wedging my camera in a crack and trying to cover my head.  Then they decided to nibble on my head.  Believe me when a 1000+lb animal puts your head entirely in its mouth and bites down, it is more than a little intimidating!  I was really glad that a few years ago I invested in a super-thick hood that has 1/2" of stiff neoprene.  The Stellers were just playing, but they play rough!   You can see how they bite each other and most of them are covered with cuts and gouges.  Fortunately his teeth didn't get through the 1" of rubber on my head (1/2" x 2 sides) and make it to flesh and bone.  I didn't get too many photos because I was having a problem with my strobe and I spent much of the dive just covering my head.  They kept coming back and ended up biting me in the head about 6 or 7 times.  Even when I decided to hide in the kelp, you could just see the look on their face.  "Oh boy, we LOVE playing in the kelp, Chomp..."  

The first three photos are mine, and the last one is a photo of me taken by my dive buddy, Ed Southworth.  You can see more Alaska photos at Alaska 2011 - a set on Flickr.  It is an amazing place to dive.


Steller dreams by - drsteve -, on Flickr


What do you think?  Is he looking at me? by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Juvenile Delinquent by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Me and the Steller by - drsteve -, on Flickr

Here are a couple more from my recent trip to the Revillagigedos aboard the Nautilus Explorer.  This was taken at Roca Partida, near the thermocline where the big sharks hang out. The first photo is up close and personal with a 10ft Galapagos shark.  The second image needs a little explanation.  Roca Partida is mostly barren rock with a few barnacles.  On this side of the island there was a ripping current so you need to hold onto the rock to avoid getting blown into the blue.  My dive buddy, who looks like he is mountain climbing, was actually looking for a new spot on the rock to hold on, when the same big Galapagos shark decided to head straight at his ass.  Don't turn your back on the big shark!


Galapagos Shark.... up close and personal by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Don't worry, I've got your back. by - drsteve -, on Flickr

Hi All,  

Last month I visited the Revillagigedos (Soccoro) Islands aboard the Nautilus Explorer.  On a great dive at Roca Partida, after a great encounter with a 10ft Galapagos Shark, I started ascending towards my safety stop.  Way above me, near the surface I noticed a shape that looked like a shark.  As I got closer it got bigger, and bigger.  OMG, it was a whale shark, the first I have ever seen.  She was a juvenile and absolutely spectacular.  It was one of the best safety stops of my life.  Not only did she let us come close, she stayed with us for about 20 minutes.  Unlike most whale shark encounters, the water was crystal clear.  When I surfaced and waited for the pickup boat, she swam about 15 ft below me as if to say goodbye.  Here are a few photos.  Click on them for more info.  Enjoy!


Whale Shark in the Blue by - drsteve -, on Flickr


Lil' baby whaleshark by - drsteve -, on Flickr


There be Whale (Shark) by - drsteve -, on Flickr