Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Duck, shark, what have you


With all the rain, and another typhoon on the way, someone told me we were all turning into ducks. Waddle waddle. Not quite my choice of semi-amphibious mutation. Were we given the choice of an animal to change into during the rainy season, I'd go for the sharks, just like my favorite underwater photo that I use for my IM avatar.

Of all the sharks I've had the honor of seeing in real life, my favorite remains the thresher shark, with it's elegant tail and undulating silver figure. An elegant master of its domain. Sinuous.

During the last Tubbataha trip, we had a very close encounter with a large toothy shark, which our dive instructor initially thought to be a bull shark. But the other DI said no bull sharks live out this far in the Pacific, so after some debate, we agreed it was a sizeable silver tip. It took some interest in our meanderings along the wall, but it decided that we weren't it's type of prey. However, it was definitely more curious than the poor grey tip reef sharks that kept swimming away when we came close. They must feel put upon by all the divers bothering them in their repose. Very stressful for them.

From watergirl to Sharkgirl!

5 comments:

Watergirl said...

My dive instructor and underwater photographer extraordinaire, Mel Segarra, took it during a dive I had in Anilao. It was perfect timing, there were 4 of us on the dive, and we chanced upon the shark resting from its cares. Mel had a whole set of photos and if you want to see them let me know, there are some amazing shots of corals, fish, etc. I can share the folder of photos with you.

Would love to say I took it but I can't even take decent photos on land, much less struggle with the equipment under water.

christine said...

I agree, beautiful picture which could give gutsy tuason a run for his money. :) This post is making me want the lessons more and more!

Watergirl said...

Yes, go Christine, take your lessons and we'll join you on your checkout dive for support (underwater pompoms and all)!

wysgal said...

mila: That is a great photo, excellent visibility.

christine: Do let me know when you do your checkout --- I'll join as well. =)

christine said...

If it's just to see you both there with underwater pompoms, I'll do it! hehe I promise it'll be soon, I can't wait any longer. :)

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