Exploring Jardines de la Reina with Ocean Geographic

Recently I wrote an article on my amazing experience diving with Ocean Geographic in Gardens of the Queen and it was published at Uwpmag.com (Underwater Photography Magazine). Check it out! (click each section to enlarge text):

Step Aside Modesty

A recent shot of mine from Gardens of the Queen in Cuba was awarded "Image of Edition" in the latest edition of Ocean Geographic.  It is really a huge honour to have won this award and even more so that it was presented by Ocean Geographic (which in case I hadn't mentioned is my favorite magazine)! Silky Sharks are classified as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN and as their numbers are diminishing worldwide, it was such a privilege to be able to dive with dozens of these brown sweeties.  It was definitely the highlight of my time in Cuba and having this image selected feels really great.  Thank you, OG!  

Chasing Crocodiles

Up until recently I’ll admit photographing saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat was not high on my list of shots to get. At least not face to face in the water. But that’s exactly what I set out to do with five other crazy divers one calm February morning in Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen). Our adrenaline was already pumping as we had just finished up our first dive of the trip with two dozen Caribbean reef sharks. It was an incredible way to start off the trip so our spirits were high as we were heading back to the main boat for some coffee. Through the noise of the boat engine and water breaking we heard our expedition leader, Michael Aw, shout Niño (pronounced neen-yo) in a suggestive tone to our guide Noel Lopez. Unless you have been to Jardines, the word Niño means nothing to you but for me Nino had meant a few restless nights alone in the dark with my wild imagination. I knew we would meet some saltwater crocodiles on our trip, I knew I would be getting in the water and photographing them, but I hadn’t realized just how quickly it would happen. The fact that the time had finally arrived was a bit unsettling.