Moving Forward

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Apologies for any inconvenience!

Joanna

An Adoption Story: African Penguins

The idea to adopt an African penguin came to me after visiting two wild penguin colonies in South Africa - the first at Boulder's Beach (False Bay) and the other at Stony Point (Betty's Bay). It was my first time witnessing penguins in their natural habitat and I loved every second of it. After learning that their population has gone from a staggering four million in the early 1900's to just 21,000 breeding pairs left in the wild today (South Africa & Namibia) I felt compelled to help.

  

African penguins are interesting little creatures to watch and photograph, each with their own distinct personality. But I noticed a common theme amongst the colonies. Nervousness. These are astutely aware creatures. Perhaps, they are even cognisant of their declining population and endangered status.  

So in lieu of chocolates, and a romantic dinner for two, this year my partner and I opted for a rather unorthodox Valentine's Day gift to one another. As I wrote about in my last post, African penguins are a monogamous species. Usually, male and female penguins mate for life and for this reason (among others) I thought adopting a pair would be a much more appropriate way to celebrate the day. 

If you feel the same and are interested in doing something for a great cause please check out more details in my post just below. For $42 USD we contributed in the smallest way we could, to help in the rehabilitation of an abandoned chick and an injured adult penguin.

The people over at SANCCOB (South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) are working very hard to give these birds a fighting chance. If you have a moment please make your way over to their page to see how you can get involved.

Adopt an Endangered African Penguin for your Valentine!

To commemorate Valentine's Day this year, I thought it would be appropriate to post about the endangered African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), or as I like to call them: lovebirds! These flightless birds, are as you may know, monogamous; with a startling 80-90% of couples remaining together for their entire lives! Can you imagine? That percentage is far higher than us homo sapiens!

South African Penguins "Lovebirds"

A FEW FACTS ABOUT AFRICAN PENGUINS

The breeding season is mostly between the months of March and May, however, it seems you can find a few couples in some stage of the breeding cycle throughout the year. Apparently this is quite different from most other bird species.

These lovebirds begin mating around the age of four and usually results in the creation of two eggs, one for each parent (the perfect size family).  During the incubation period, which usually lasts about 40 days, the pair takes equal turns caring for the eggs.

  

Their habitat ranges from Port Elizabeth, South Africa up the western coast of the country and into Namibia. However, due to habitat destruction, declining food sources, domestic pets/animals, and global warming their numbers are quickly dwindling. At the moment there are just a mere 18,683 breeding pairs left in the wild in South Africa, just a fraction of what it used to be.

Located very close to Simons Town, South Africa this particular colony of African penguins is situated on Boulders Beach and as a result they have been given the name: Boulders Penguin Colony

HOW YOU CAN HELP

While I was in South Africa, I came across an amazing organisation, SANCCOB, working very hard to protect African penguins and other seabirds in the region. At the moment, and in honour of Valentine's Day, they are offering a very special way to help an endangered species while at the same time providing one of the most unique gifts to your special someone. 

For 500 Rand (South African Currency) or $42.27 USD, you can adopt two African penguins for the price you would normally pay for just one. 

Better yet, you will get to name the penguins (perhaps, after your partner and yourself ;o) and you'll receive a photograph of the penguins that have been meticulously cared for before they release them back into the wild South African landscape.

Here are two links for more information. The first is their home page and the second will take you directly to the adoption page:

1)  http://www.sanccob.co.za/?view=featured

2) Valentine's 2 for 1 Special - Adopt an African Penguin:

http://www.sanccob.co.za/you-can-help/adopt-a-penguin/adopt-a-penguin-detail

DID YOU KNOW?

Americans spend roughly 20 billion dollars on Valentine's Day each year?! Why not spend on something charitable this year?

Juvenile Male Penguins at Betty's Bay, South Africa

To learn more about how to visit the African penguins for your next trip to South Africa,        check out:

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/tourism/attractions.php

And of course, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL THE LOVEBIRDS OUT THERE!

J-

Cape Fur Seals | Seal Island, South Africa

If you ever have the opportunity to visit South Africa, I'd strongly encourage you to make your way to Seal Island in False Bay. Less than an hour from Cape Town and only eight nautical miles out to sea you will find yourself immersed in a raw and foreign environment where survival of the fittest can be witnessed daily. The waters around this island are patrolled by dozens, if not hundreds of Great White Sharks, making life extremely precarious for the boisterous group of seabirds and seals which call the island home.

Seal Island - Home to 60,000 Cape Fur Seals 

Playing in the shallow pools close to the island is quite safe as the sharks prefer deeper depths

 However, once the seals leave the safety of the shallow pools to find food they become vulnerable

A Cape Fur Seal swimming for its life from a Great White Shark - not sure he made it home

Finding myself in the midst of a clamorous Cape Fur Seal Colony off of South Africa’s southern coast was really icing on the cake after a spectacular great white cage diving experience. I love wildlife (in case that isn’t obvious) and can never seem to get enough of it. To come face to face with a colony of seals 60,000 strong shortly after looking into the eyes of one of the oceans greatest predators was an wholly satisfying experience that I cannot recommend enough. If cage diving with great whites isn't your cup of tea, no worries! The topside action is worth the trip on its own. You can learn more about cage diving in South Africa and the best times visit here.

Simon's Town, South Africa - Departures to Seal Island leave from this beautiful seaside town

Have you ever seen so many seals in one place? 

If so, I would love to hear about it!

An Odd Encounter

After an early morning cage diving adventure in Simon's Town, South Africa the next logical thing to consider is a journey to the rugged Cape of Good Hope. Simon's Town is a great jumping off point for seeing this beautiful terrain and I was quite excited about the day ahead.

However, after the amazing shark encounter I must admit tackling the day covered from head to toe in salt and fish chum was not ideal. Not such a pleasant thought, right? Unfortunately for me it was the reality of the day. It's odd that this only occurred to me the morning of (and so I was as prepared as I could be with wet wipes, deodorant, body spray and of course a change of clothes) but I do suppose that if you are going to spend a day reeking of dead fish there is no better place to do that than the great outdoors.

Cape of Good Hope - The most south-western part of the African continent 

Although I would have preferred a shower, the breath-taking scenery all along the coastal Cape was well-worth the hygienic compromise. The mountainous landscape was littered with a wide array of colourful flora. We were told there was a possibility of sighting anything from mountain zebra and wildebeest to ostrich and baboons. With eyes glued to the landscape in hopes of sighting any of the indigenous wildlife that call the Cape their home, I was not disappointed; both wildebeest and ostrich made an appearance.   

Nearing our destination, we stumbled upon what I think qualifies as an truly extraordinary sight. Sure, we have all seen ostriches before, whether in a zoo or on television, but how often do you see images of an ostrich by the sea? Odd, right? Would love to hear your thoughts on this strange sight! 

    

Shooting Southern Right Whales: South Africa

Walker Bay, South Africa 

A severe storm was approaching the small, seaside town of Hermanus, South Africa as I hopped onto a boat in the picturesque harbor of Walker Bay.  Knowing the best chance of seeing a Southern Right Whale up-close would be by boat I really did not have much choice in the matter (despite my apprehension).  And besides with the weather quickly deteriorating, I was rather certain there wouldn't be any more whale watching for the remainder of my trip. Considering this was the reason I made my way to Hermanus from Cape Town (2 hrs), I mustered the courage and braced myself for a rocky ride as we headed out into the bay. 

Fortunately, the ocean was kind to us for a good chunk of the time and I was lucky to see two males trying to win the heart of this beautiful female (below). This was by far the closest I came to any of the whales as she intentionally collided with the boat directly in front of me. With a thin metal bar as the only barrier separating me from the sea, the impact startled me! Everyone on board scrambled for a moment while we were reassured by the crew that this is quite common behavior for the females. It seems as though they enjoy using the boat as a form of protection from their relentless admirers. 

Southern Right Whale

These whales are very slow moving and friendly creatures.  As a result, they became known to fisherman as the "right whale" to hunt. Even though whale hunting has been banned for the past two decades, illegal hunting still continues making the southern right whale population of 3,000 an endangered species. Hermanus is a unique location in that females prefer the warmth and shelter of the bay for their newborns. And between the months of May and December with a little patience you will have no problem spotting them from shore. Despite the land-based possibilities, I wanted to get a little closer. And if you find yourself in a similar situation definitely check out: Southern Right Charters for a proper outing. 

Unlike my previous whale watching trip in Sydney, Australia; there were many close encounters and photographic opportunities of the whales in Walker Bay. Prior to my arrival, I had heard consistently from several people to go with the widest lens I had available. Thanks to this sound advice, I had my16-35mm in place for this shot. This photograph was shot at the widest end, 16mm and would not have been possible with my longer lenses. Although, there were many shots missed (and frustrations) as a result of my lens' limitations I am content with the decision. 

Storm clouds rolling in to Hermanus, South Africa

Outdoor Photog of the Year Competition

Having had seven images (below) shortlisted for the Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2014 Competition was a lovely honour. Each of the selected images were submitted to the UnderExposed category which happens to be new to the competition this year and strictly for underwater images. There were some beautiful images across all categories. But the winner for the UnderExposed category was a stunning over-under image of a humpback whale by Chris Parry.  Well done, Mr. Parry! Having the chance to dive with these magnificent creatures must have been a great privilege.

Beneath the Waves | the Year Ahead

For the first time, I have put together a calendar with some of my underwater images. With twenty-fifteen around the corner I thought now is as good a time as ever to share this. The images included in the calendar were taken in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean and consist of wide variety of marine life. The calendar is available for purchase at RedBubble.com 

May the year ahead be full of health and happiness!

  

Holiday Blues

A couple of years back I had the opportunity to join a group of divers from Singapore on an adventure to Thailand. It was the week of Christmas 2012 when we set sail for the Similan Islands, via liveaboard. Let me just say, sinking beneath the waves on Christmas day was certainly one of the coolest gifts this diver could conjure up.

But generally, not a whole lot of diving takes place at this time of year if you happen to be one of the many who live in a landlocked location. Traveling at this time of year (for whatever reason) isn't practical. The cost of flights become ridiculous, the airport congestion is a nightmare, and of course, there are those festive holiday parties you don't want to miss. For those that do have a chance to get in the water and dive in December, I envy your persistence.

While in recent years we have remained at home for the holidays, I have tried to come up with ways to keep the ocean nearby. If you are like me and going through diving withdrawal here are a few ideas to lift your spirits.  

Marine Inspired Christmas Ornaments:

Inspiring Preservation of the Arctic with Arts & Science

Expedition - August 2015

ELYSIUM ARTISTS FOR THE ARCTIC is a project that combines the expertise of some of the world’s top scientists, artists, and explorers to create a multi-faceted interpretation of the Arctic. Artists for the Arctic hopes to inspire greater appreciation, understanding, and love for this critically important part of our planet, while drawing attention to the impacts of climate change. This icy ecosystem is regarded as one of the most enchanting wilderness regions of our planet, yet volatile and under severe threat from the warming of the world’s climate. This expedition promises to deliver the most awe-inspiring and stunning visual representation ever seen of the Arctic. The sights, sounds, and science captured by the Elysium Team will inspire ways to preserve and protect life at the top of the world through art, education, and outreach. 

THE MISSION: The Explorer Team’s mission is to encapsulate the splendor of the Arctic through the sights and sounds of this enthralling region, into one exquisite volume, a film and exhibitions around the world in eight major cities in 2016-2017. Elysium's science team will record and study the impacts of disappearing sea ice in the Arctic, inspiring, educating, and engaging the public about the wonders of the Arctic and its importance to our global climate. Through cross-cultural dialogue and educational outreach programs, Artists for the Arctic aims to exchange knowledge with Inuit groups and Elders about their home and the animals that live there. These first-hand accounts will be broadcast through a series of exhibitions worldwide, global social networks, and media channels, inspiring conservation for the diverse life of the Arctic as well as drawing attention to the impacts of climate change, ocean change, and disappearing sea ice. Only with your support will we be able to spread this critical message around the globe. You can have a direct impact on the way the world sees and understands the Arctic, and consequently on how we protect this precious polar region in the near future.

Elysium Artists for the Arctic is a carbon neutral expedition funded by Ocean Geographic Society.

WHAT WE NEED:  We need to maximize our time in the Arctic, and what we can accomplish will directly depend on how much money is raised in the next 2 months. Our goal for this campaign is to raise $350,000.  

We projected $80, 000 to bring in specialized scientific equipment: Open source ROVs with HD cameras, temperature and salinity instruments, mobile aquarium and scientist to bring in the video plankton recorder, laboratory and plankton sampling equipment. We'll need $85,000 to create and produce the Elysium limited edition book and movie, $25,000 for the Elysium Arctic Report,  $20,000 to produce the full soundtrack, and $150,000 to transport and curate exhibition for eight cities. 

Please consider donating to this one of a kind project.  Click on the Polar Bear below and you'll be redirected to the Indiegogo Campaign Site to learn more about the interesting rewards for getting involved:

Cage Diving with Great Whites (False Bay & Shark Alley)

For easier reading, click on the first section to enlarge text.  

Prepping for Elysium Arctic Expedition

In late August, early September my husband and I took a short flight from Wroclaw, Poland (where we currently live) to the Tri-City up along the Baltic Sea.  We had always heard great things about the region however after living in Poland for a year and a half we somehow hadn't made it up there.  With Santi as one of the equipment sponsors for an upcoming expedition to the Arctic, and with their headquarters so close by in Gdynia, we decided to make our way north to personally place our dry suit orders.  Flying in on Saturday afternoon and leaving Monday evening we had roughly 48 hours to see the highlights of the three cities (Sopot, Gdansk, & Gdynia) and get fitted for our first drysuits. It was a hectic but exciting trip!

We had a hotel booked in Sopot since it is situated between Gdansk and Gdynia, however quickly realised it is the heart and soul of the Tri-City.  The salty air, long expanse of the sandy shore and wide array of seaside restaurants was a nice break from landlocked Wroclaw.  With Europe's longest boardwalk just outside of our hotel, I must admit it felt as if I was back at home along the Eastern Seaboard.  The three cities were definitely worth the visit and from what we learned there are some really cool wreck dives along the coast.  Since the Baltic isn't known for its warm temperatures we would first need some drysuits before getting involved in that.

Monday morning, once inside Santi's headquarters we were immediately impressed with both the hospitality and layout of the office/workshop.  The atmosphere was very welcoming and also visually intriguing.  Highly saturated diving images and graffiti art were splashed across the white walls while a large assortment of dive gear seemed to be calling out to us.  

                                                       The first order of business was the measurements and there were many.  This was our first time ordering dry suits and we were probably a bit too particular but they are really too expensive to have mistakes made.  It was an interesting and rather warm experience as we layered ourselves in to thermals, heated vests, under suits and then the outer shells.  Surely I would be warm in the Arctic but once everything was on I struggled to understand how exactly I was supposed to move; let alone dive and photograph in such an alien environment.  If you'd like to learn more about the upcoming expedition, Artists for the Arctic; click here:  http://www.elysiumepic.underwaterartists.com  

Where it all Happens ~ The Dry Suit Factory (above)

Recap of the Digital Shootout in Little Cayman

Recently I wrote an article on an incredible week diving in Little Cayman with Backscatter   Underwater Video & Photo for their annual Digital Shootout Workshop & Competition which was published at Uwpmag.com.  If you have ever thought of attending one of these events read on! (To enlarge text click each section):

Little Snippets from Little Cayman

With a trip to the States and Cayman Islands back to back, June has been quite a whirlwind.  Eight flights later, I am trying to recover from a bout of severe jet lag and a cold I caught somewhere over the Atlantic.  Hence the reason my writing has been seriously lacking.  Although, now that I've clarified my silence I feel comfortable moving forward and talking about the awesome week of diving I had in Little Cayman.

Completely the opposite of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman is a quiet, undeveloped retreat with much more of a relaxing vibe to it.  A short thirty minute flight and you have made it to your own deserted island.  Ten miles long, one mile wide, and a population of under two hundred one can understand why.  Before you read any further, I should mention if you've got a thing or two about small planes this might not be the place to plan your next trip; as the cockpit is wide open, the tires could use some air and well the weight of each piece of luggage is taken very seriously.  But if small planes are more your speed, likely you'll find the person sitting next to you is making the hop over to LC simply for some scuba diving.  Seriously though, with fifty dive sites around the island and a regulator bag on everyones lap this isn't too difficult to figure out.

So all the hooplah about Bloody Bay Wall is definitely right on and really the sheer size of it isn't understood until one has the courage to swim off the wall, and out into the blue.  Confirming your regulator is snug in your mouth, stop finning and pull a 180.  Let your eyes adjust for a moment and hold that regulator tightly.  Quite likely your jaw will have the urge to drop.  Ignore it.  Take a photo, make sure you got it and swim back to the safety of the wall.  Of course you can't see it but that wall descends to about 6000 feet.  Pretty amazing, huh? One last thing, do me a favour and email me that shot?!

While the wall was mighty impressive I'll admit I get weirded out by deep depths along reef walls.  I've probably read one too many stories about downward currents and have really got to stop reading I think.  This is definitely my problem! But I did dive the bloody wall several times and loved every second of it.  The gi-normous barrel sponges were my favourite and snuggling up inside one may have crossed my mind for a split second ;o)  But really up in the shallows, you've got the ambient light flickering about, the garguntuan loggerhead turtles barrelling across the reef, nurse sharks playing hide and seek with you and giant barracuda's that seem to appear out nowhere.  For me this is where it's at.

With shallow depths your air lasts so much longer, giving you the time to find what you're looking for and hopefully photograph it well.  In the shallows I came across nurse sharks, turtles, octopi, squid, giant barracuda's, stunning sea fans, and the peculiar but pretty trumpetfish.  Unfortunately it wasn't until my very last dive that I had a run in with some fire coral as I was trying to photograph a trumpetfish.  This was my first mishap underwater and hopefully my last.  Fire coral really has a bite to it and at first I wasn't sure what happened.  I just knew my hand was on fire.  Hence, the name fire coral.  In any case, I survived to share a few shots I snapped while diving Little Cayman.          

    

Crete's Underwater Cathedral

I didn't have overly high expectations for Crete, either above or below the surface, which I think was a good thing as the island was full of some exciting surprises.  The terrain is rugged and mountainous with rocky to sandy shores that merge with an azure blue sea and the thought of the scuba diving has me yearning to go back to explore more of the island.  Only in town for four dives we tried to make the best of the short time we had on the north side of the island in Chania.  We explored three different underwater sites, Spotlights, Cathedral and an unnamed site near Stavros Bay where we enjoyed complete solitude on a quiet Sunday afternoon.  The image below is from our favourite site, Cathedral.

As I swam slowly out of the darkness into a massive underwater cathedral, my eyes readjusted and before me lay this spectacular image.  I then made my way closer to the "altar" via the sandy and ascending aisle, where I knelt down (slightly frustrated for not bringing a strobe with me) and prayed I'd be able to properly convey the magnificence of this place to others.  

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):

Drysuit Diving in Malta

One of the first steps in preparing for an underwater expedition next summer in the Arctic is getting acquainted with a type of exposure suit that will keep me warm and dry in one of the most extreme places on the planet.  Having only been scuba diving in warm, tropical destinations I've only ever needed a wetsuit.  So I wasn't sure what to expect when it comes to drysuits.  But I do know that if I want to dive in the Arctic, getting drysuit certified is obligatory.

Arriving in Malta for Easter weekend, I made my way over to the dive shop, Divewise, in St. Julian's Bay.  I spent some time diving with them back in September and felt confident that I'd be in the best hands on the island.  Viv and Jacques (the dog) are quite welcoming and quickly get things sorted for the course.  I'm given a new Otter dry suit to try on and while getting my head through the latex seal was much more difficult than I anticipated, I like the look and feel of the red and black suit.   I slightly feel like an astronaut; especially after I learn that the zipper on the suit traces its roots back to the space program's need for a water/airtight seal.  I've certainly never seen a similar zipper anywhere before.

As I took my first steps into the chilly 16C Mediterranean Sea, I quickly realized the importance of the undergarments I had on below the shell of my dry suit.  Ultimately these undergarments are where the warmth comes from as the shell itself simply keeps the water out.   Adding air to the suit will also provide necessary insulation between your body and the cold water.

*Freeze frame from GoPro Hero3+ with Backscatter Flip 3.1 Filter

Diving with Whale Sharks

This was a bucket list item of mine for a while so when I finally got the chance to jump into the water with this gentle giant in the Maldives, I was beside myself.  Trying ridiculously hard to keep up with this baby whale shark was a beyond my abilities.  However as you can see from this image my fellow diver was certainly keeping pace with him.  I clearly need to hit the gym! The experience was brief but the incredible memory is everlasting.  I definitely need to get back in the water with some whale sharks again soon.

  

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!