Return To Tiger Beach, Bahamas.

During November 2013, I traveled to Freeport, Bahamas to dive and photograph Tiger Sharks. There were also a great number Lemon and Caribbean Reef Sharks. We were diving with the highly recommended shark dive charter, Epic Diving (www.epicdiving.com).

Here are a few of my favorite images from this trip. 

Happy New Year 2014!

Happy Christmas!

From Another World.

“... and in her starry shade, of dim and solitary loveliness, I learn’d the language of another world.” ~ Lord Byron.

A Motion To Save Sharks!

I just signed the petition "Government of Canada: Re-open Bill C-380 and vote to ban the import of shark fins into Canada." on Change.org.

It's important. Will you sign it too? Link to sign petition here!

Emma TigerShark & Jett Britnell At Tiger Beach, Bahamas.

I've been slow to post some of my images from my recent dive trip to photograph Tiger Sharks in the Bahamas. I will get to it. In the meantime, here is a very special portrait of me with Emma TigerShark. Emma is a 14-footer and perhaps the most photographed shark in the world and even has her own fan page on FaceBook.

The image was taken by my friend, Michael Maes, an extremely talented underwater cinematographer/photographer. You can see some of his work at: http://vimeo.com/michaelmaes.

Artifacts From The Princess Sophia Shipwreck May Recieve Some Protection!

 

Well, it appears people actually do read our underwater stories.

I received an email earlier today from the Explorations Director at the Underwater Archaeological Society of BC (UASBC). They are working with a group in Alaska with a view to establishing an UASBC like group to survey and protect their shipwreck resources. Apparently, a friend in Juneau contacted them after reading my article about diving Alaska’s S.S. Princess Sophia Shipwreck. 

http://harborsmagazine.com/diving-in-alaska-waters

In this article, I made mention that one of the divers in our group came across a rotting trunk containing some glass photographic plates with images of people. The Alaskan friend happens to be a member of the Alaska Maritime History Society and involved with the Alaska State Museum. They are concerned that given the degree of diving that occurs on the Sophia the glass negatives could be at risk. The Alaska State Museum is excited about the find and feels that the plates could be very important artifacts to the history of Alaska.

I have put them in touch with a fellow diver who actually discovered the trunk as they want to learn more about the glass negatives and their condition. Hopefully, something good comes from this.

Top 10 Reasons for marrying an Underwater Photographer!

TeaGala's Creme Earl Grey Tea Blend Rocks!

A few years ago while we were in Chicago to present some seminars at the Our World Underwater Dive Show, we were delighted to discover a tea blend called Crème Earl Grey at a trendy downtown tea emporium. I was immediately hooked! However, I've since learned that while they may carry the same name, not all tea blends are exactly the same. In fact, some Crème Earl Grey tea blends we’ve tried were vastly inferior to the memorable taste experience I enjoyed in Chicago. After sampling five or six Crème Earl Grey blends from different tea merchants over the past year, we finally found THE ONE! Well, that's what being married to a Tea Empress will get ya.  Savoring a cuppa now...

My Morning Smile.

November 4, 2013: "You have visited some amazing places, captured amazing images and scared the hell out of small creatures."

Rob Burr

Reporter, National Rum Examiner

Publisher, Rob's Rum Guide

Editor, Great Gables Guide

This was Rob Burr's comment on my Facebook Timeline this morning. I have known Rob Burr and his wife, Robin, for about 25 years. When they were the owners, publishers, and editors for Fisheye View Magazine, they sent me on my first overseas editorial assignment to Vanuatu. So nice that we have kept in touch all these years...

I'm A Lucky Fella, And I Just Gotta Tell Her That I Love Her Endlessly!

Happy Halloween Form Stately Britnell Manor!

My lovely door greeter wife, Kathryn. "Been riding broomsticks since she was fifteen. Blown out all the other witches on the scene."

Happy Halloween!

The Plague Doctor is in! Have a Happy Halloween!

John Cleese In Vancouver October 25th!

Kathryn hates sitting in row one when comedians are performing. Hey, she lives with one. A woman can only take so much humor in her life. I had to settle for row five. Mr Cleese, brought the house down! Incredible one man show! 

Diving WIth Tiger Sharks, Soon Come!

Day dreaming lately about tiger sharks!

Tattoo Me: October 2013 Issue Diver Magazine.

And now for something completely different.

My tattoo is published in this month’s issue of Canada’s Diver Magazine. It is part of larger feature story about divers who have tattoos. This photo request was by far one of the strangest requests I have ever received from a dive magazine editor.

Getting a tattoo was the furthest thing from my mind when I stepped off the plane on the Cook Islands in April 2003. The original tribal body art design that adorns my right bicep depicts stylized whale tails breaking the ocean's surface. While the tattoo was being applied, the tattoo artist and I discussed where I was from. Upon learning I lived in British Columbia he asked, “You have Orcas there, right?” He added an Orca's fin to the final design. My tattoo artist was "T" (Tetini Pekopo) of T's Tattoos on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. He is native and does mainly traditional Cook Island tattoo designs but also creates some interesting contemporary patterns using traditional Polynesian motifs. His studio is extremely busy so one must book an appointment. “T” is known throughout Polynesia as a traditional artist and tattooist who is extremely talented, possessing incredible knowledge and skill.
 

Overall, a rather spontaneous decision on my part that I have never regretted.

Bon Jovi In Concert At Rogers Arena Tonight!

Bon Jovi concert tonight with Katie and a good friend who scored us some primo floor seats!

 

Adam Ant & The Good, The Mad & The Lovely Posse Tour!

Kathryn and I went to see Adam Ant perform last night at the Vogue Theater. First, I gotta say, I was never a fan during his 80's heyday. I just never really listened to his music. After last night's performance, I'm a fan! A great performance and highly entertaining! His band is rock solid! From all I've read about Adam, he's a stand up fella and nice guy who has worked hard to overcome bouts of depression. Simply love his new song, Vince Taylor. I'd go see him again in a heartbeat. Pure fun!

Vince Taylor Video

Jett Britnell Starred In, "You're Dead, I'm Not."

Circa, October 1980: And then, there was that time I was in the navy and ran afoul with a couple of hookers and their shady Asian pimp while on shore leave in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Actually, a friend and I decided on a whim to make a movie for his upcoming Halloween party. We both wrote, directed, filmed and starred in this little Indie film blockbuster shot on Super 8 video. It was called, “You’re Dead, I’m Not.” A story about a mysterious murder in a shower and how two rogue undercover detectives went about solving the plot twisting crime. The story embraced elements of Psycho, Mission Impossible, Columbo and Hollywood Private Detective films from the 50s. Here are some of us in costume after filming a critical scene. The applause & laughter at the film’s premiere was deafening! Sadly, we were just child actors who could not avoid the curse of early fame.

Some Images From Our Roman Holiday!

An Italian Spritz Cocktail!

Spritz is a refreshing drink that is commonly served in the northern part of Italy, especially in Venice. Many Venetian towns have their own specific version of this drink. Over the past decade, the Aperol Spritz with Prosecco has become the most popular drink served in Italy while it remains still relatively unknown in North America.

 

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Aperol Spritz Recipe

While there are several variations, this is the basic recipe.

Ingredients

• 2.5 oz Aperol  liqueur
• 3 oz Prosecco
• Club Soda  or Perrier water
• Orange Slice for garnish

Preparation

Place ice cubes in a low ball glass. Add Aperol, then Prosecco, and top with soda. Gently mix and garnish with an orange slice. Ahhhhhh!

Pirates Of Venezia - Johnny Depp Lives Well.

In 2010, Johnny Depp paid £8.58 million for this palazzo in Venice after falling in love with the city when he starred in the move "The Tourist" with Angelina Jolie. Appears it is now up for sale.

Our Last Night In Venice!

On our last night in Venice, Kathryn and I enjoyed our hotel bar's 2 seat patio to have some tea and a nightcap. This is overlooking the Grand Canal. Very peaceful in the evening. 

Say Hello To "The Plague Doctor!

Many people buy t-shirts or other tourist kitch when on vacation. In Venice, I did something completely different and purchased this outfit and had it shipped home. Say hello to "The Plague Doctor! Halloween will never be the same, nor are door to door salesmen likely ever to come back. 

St Marks Square In Venice.

At 6AM this morning there were only about 20 people in St. Marks Square vs the thousands that cram the square during the day. Just some other photographers, some joggers, and workers sweeping up the mess from the night before. Here are just a few images.

Venezia By Lightroom.

Sometimes HDR adds an interesting effect to an image.