Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins have been known to travel the oceans of the Hawaiian Island Chain in very large groups. A mega pod consists of overwhelming amounts of these highly social beings traveling in numbers nearing 200 individuals. Although this day's particular pod was a bit shy of that (maybe 50+), it was still the type of experience that could force you to question your existence. Or question how amazing it is to share the earth with these godlike creatures.
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Little something (14ft wingspan) we ran into yesterday...... Manta birostris. This was my first free dive with a Manta Ray.
The Banzai Pipeline is at the heart of the "Seven Mile Miracle" on the North Shore of the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The Seven Mile Miracle refers to a seven mile stretch of coastline that includes more world class surf spots (per mile) than any surf destination on the planet. Here a couple shots from the Banzai Pipeline/Ehukai area of Oahu. “In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as Algebra.” (- Frank Lebowitz) Instead, there is the sun, the sky, the earth and the ocean. People of Polynesia have long practiced a different yet profound approach to education. One that uses the physical elements of life as it's classroom, where the lessons can give you sunburns and the tests involve focus and a surfboard. To know whether or not you passed or failed isn’t important. Rather, it is most important that the same connection and reliance to the ocean is built from the foundation a previous generation has paved. It’s developing humility and paying respect to the ocean for reasons beyond its leisure avail. A faith in the role it plays in their lives as a source of food, health and spiritual guidance. This image, shot in the islands of French Polynesia, strives to capture this notion. Where older generations pass on their ways of life that have been so heavily influenced by the water. As their source of physical, mental and spiritual nourishment - it is all they have and will ever need. Spinners dolphins are found in oceans around the world. However, the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin is unique to Hawaiian Island Chain. .
Archipelago: n (ark-i-pel-ə-goh) a chain or cluster of islands. French Polynesia is a series of archipelagos. Located in the southern hemisphere at roughly 15°00′S 140°00′W, this tropical paradise boasts a mixture of rugged high islands and low islands (motu in the tahitian language) with coral reef systems abounding. The crystal clear lagoons of the French Polynesian archipelago are protected by barrier reefs, that often absorb the power the powerful southern seas. In order to exit these lagoons, one must enter the open ocean through a deep channel or gap in the barrier reef, known as a reef pass. Generally speaking, each tahitian reef pass has a surfable wave breaking on each side of it's channel. There are literally hundreds of these reef passes in the French Polynesian archipelago.....hundreds. This month showed a lot of promise. More visible is the big winter wave season on the North Shore of Oahu....amongst other things. The Hawaiian Island chain is located in the North Pacific Ocean, a few degrees south of the Tropic of Cancer. The state of Hawaii is approximately 2,500 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Califorina and about 4,000 miles southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Hawaii is the most isolated island chain in the world. In addition, the island's position in the north pacific combined with favorable ocean water temperatures creates the perfect stage for one of the greatest migrations of our planet. The Pacific Humpback Whale makes its annual journey from it's feeding ground near the Aleutian Islands in the north Pacific Ocean. The Northern Pacific Humpback Whales come to the Hawaiian Island chain during the months of November to March each year to give birth to their calves and also to mate for the next season. In Hawaii we are blessed with the presence of these amazing marine mammals during our (Northern Hemisphere) winter months. I have had the privilege to connect with the species on and in their element. Sadly enough, we only have this opportunity during six months of each year.....in Hawaii. Fortunately, the Humpback Whale has populations in various oceans around the globe. While traveling in the French Polynesian Islands, I was able to interact with some of the very large cousins of the North Pacific Humpback Whales. With the help of my local family in Tahiti and great timing, my first interaction with a Southern Pacific Humpback was achieved. A close colleague and fellow underwater free-diver/videographer and myself spent the better part of an absolutely beautiful Tahitian winter day (air/water temp = 80 degrees) completely submerged under the waters' surface with one of the biggest living creatures on earth. Wednesday, August 31, 2011 was "Hump Day" indeed. |
Welcome to the Island Images Photography Blog. Here we showcase a selection of our images from the past twelve years. Click the links on the right side of this page to read and view our company blog posts. Short narrative excerpts give the viewer an idea of what it was like to be in and/or around the water that day..... Categories
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