Aquatica's newest dealer in British Columbia!

...though he says he will ship anywhere. 

My good friend, Stewart Sy, is not only a talented underwater photographer, but is also now one of AQAUTICA's newest dealers in British Columbia.  

AQUATICA manufactures an extensive line of underwater housings for today’s finest digital cameras. The company also manufactures the world renowned Technical Lighting Control (TLC) strobe arms, trays and accessories. AQUATICA and TLC are the brands preferred by some of the top professional underwater photographers and are well known for their optical quality and superior level of craftsmanship. David Doubilet, of National Geographic fame, used their products as far back as 1982.

I purchased my first AQUATICA underwater housing in 1985 and took it around the world on diving assignments. Today, I am housing my NIKON D700 in an AQUATICA AD700.

As honest as the day is long, Stu knows underwater camera gear, how to use it. and provides "exemplary customer service!"  For more information, contact:

SLS Photography Ltd
11-8291 General Currie Road
Richmond, BC V6Y 1L9 CANADA
(604) 618-3421
cameras@stewartsy.com

Candy Stripe Shrimp

Usually found hiding near the base of crimson anemones, the candy stripe shrimp (aka Clown Shrimp) are one of the most striking marine invertebrates in British Columbia's Emerald Sea.  With their neon veins and translucent bodies, these tiny shrimp are a much sought after macro subject for underwater photographers.

“When angels visit us..."

“When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts...”

On numerous occasions I have been speaking to my wife on the phone while she's in her car when she says, “Just a second, hon.” I can hear her roll down her window to give her bag lunch, piece of fruit, or bottled water to a homeless person. While she has many virtues, words can't express how blessed I feel to be married to one who does such charitable acts for those less fortunate without any fanfare or expectation...

"JTZ GRL" ~ When I say I'm in love, you best believe I'm in love L-U-V!

My amazing wife, Kathryn, just received customized license plates for her new BMW.  While she shows me every day in so many ways how much she truly loves me... she clearly is taking no prisoners in proclaiming to the world she's "Jett's Girl!"

Decorated Warbonnet ~ (Chirolophis decoratus)

Skittish by nature, Decorated Warbonnets are an eel-like fish named after the prominent cirri crowning their skull, which resembles the feathers of a Plains Indian chief's warbonnet.  Measuring about one foot in length, many believe these bizarre-looking fish from the Pacific Northwest rival any to be found at many of the World's tropical diving hot spots. 

Spiny Dogfish - Long Distance Travelers

Spiny dogfish inhabit colder waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from shallows to nearly 700 metres deep. Found in all the world’s temperate oceans, the spiny dogfish is a small schooling shark that forms groups of hundreds, or thousands, of individuals of the same sex and size.  The average length is between 75 and 105 cm (30 to 40 inches), however, individuals have been known to grow to 130 cm (50 inches) weighing 9 kg (20lbs).

Spiny dogfish sharks are long-distance travelers. One spiny dogfish tagged and released from Washington State showed up off the coast of Japan ~ a 5,000 mile journey!

Truth In Advertising ~ One Early Explorer Got It Right

This is a newspaper clip of the actual “Help Wanted” ad that famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton ran when assembling his Antarctica expedition crew.  Surprisingly, it generated over 5,000 responses from adventure seekers.

This legendary explorer's ill-fated 1914-1916 Endurance expedition is considered to be one of the greatest survival stories of all time where 28 men were stranded in the Antarctic for nearly two years. Well, the ad did say..."safe return doubtful".

Andy Lamb - Coastal Fishes Of The Pacific Northwest

Kathryn and I attended a talk in Vancouver by Andy Lamb tonight.  Andy along with underwater photographer, Phil Edgell, have recently released a newly revamped 2nd edition of Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest. The book costs about $30 and is a “must have” if you dive in the Pacific Northwest.

With great wit and humour, Andy entertained us with his views on marine conservation, what changes have ocuured since his first edition of Coastal Fishes was published in 1986. Very entertaining and refreshingly enlightening views from a man who has been diving in British Columbia's Emerald Sea since 1967.

Andy and his wife wife, Virginia, operate a B&B on Thetis Island, BC, called the Cedar Beach Ocean Lodge www.cedar-beach.com.

You can order his latest book from Amazon Books  Link

Depth Magzaine ~ Published My Story About Diving In Maui

Depth Magazine, an online internet scuba publication, has published my story, "Maui - Hawaii's Waterworld" in their September/October 2010 issue. The cover shot is also my image of dolphins swimming on the bow of the dive boat.

Coming Next Month... Northwest Dive News October 2010

 Editor, Rick Stratton had this to say about the next issue...

Vanuatu: Bali Ha'i in the South Pacific

Have you ever danced with a Fire gobie in the pale moon light? Jett has, and he wants to tell you about diving in one of the most beautiful places this planet has to offer. Tell anyone that you've been diving in Vanuatu and their vague response is likely to be something along the lines "Sounds fantastic! Ahhh...where in the world is Van-a-what-tu?" Even experienced travel agents are sometimes stymied when it comes to pinpointing Vanuatu's geographic whereabouts. Find out about corals, cuttlefish, and what else this mythical place of diving has to offer! (By the way, it's located east of Australia and west of Fiji - for those not near a map.)

Indonesia's Lembeh Strait or British Columbia?: Horned shrimp (paracrangon echinata)

Muck Diving in British Columbia has its rewards. For many years I referred to this critter as being a broken-back shrimp.  However, Marine Biologist extraordinaire, Andy Lamb of Cedar Beach Dive Resort, helped me to identify it as being a Horned shrimp (paracrangon echinata).