Ee-e-e-Oh-Mum-A-Weh.

"In the ocean, the mighty ocean, the lionfish sleeps tonight."

Happy Valentine's Day To My Wife, Kathryn!!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my uber sweet wife, Kathryn! Last summer when we were in Paris, I took her to the Pont des Arts bridge, otherwise known as, the “lover’s bridge.” It is here several years ago that love-struck sweethearts began locking padlocks onto the chain link fence of the Pont des Arts, which crosses from the left bank to the Louvre museum. The love padlocks, called cadenas d’amour, have since multiplied to the point where there are thousands of these love tokens, each engraved with a message of love, locked to the bridge’s chain link fence. After locking the love padlock to a chain link or another lock, it is customary for the lovers to toss the keys into the Seine River as a sign of their eternal devotion. It is also believed if the lovers kiss each other while on this bridge, they’ll be happy together forever. 

Amber Huppertz Captured A Moment!

Amber Huppertz captured me having a moment with a Steller sea lion at Norris Rocks, British Columbia in January 2014.

Ellen Cuylaerts - 2013 World Champion Underwater Photography!

 

Ellen Cuylaerts has proven once again she has a natural talent for the art of underwater photography. Some might say her talent is God-given. But those who truly know her can appreciate just how hard she has worked to learn the craft in a very short time. Aside from deserving all the recognition & accolades, she is one of the nicest and warmest souls you could ever meet. We feel privileged to both call her our friend, and also to witness this butterfly of the sea come into her own in an arena where the competition is fierce, and the learning curve steep. Check out her work at www.ellencuylaerts.com

Steller Sea Lions - British Columbia.

Spent last Sunday diving with Steller Sea Lions at Norris Rocks, near Hornby Island British Columbia. These sea lions weigh upwards of 900 pounds, with the bulls tipping the scales at 2,000 pounds. An adult male Stellar sea-lion's skull, jaw & teeth are very similar to - as in almost indistinguishable from- those of a large Grizzly bear... BIG strong teeth!

Our Story, "Working With Underwater Models", - Published in Scuba & H2O Magazine.

In the January 2014 issue of Scuba & H2O magazine, Kathryn and I have authored a piece about “Working With Underwater Models - Tips For Improving Your Diver Portraits.” It was a pleasure to be able to include a quote by underwater photo legend, Stephen Frink. Throughout his career, particularly during his early works with Skin Diver Magazine, Stephen defined the art of underwater model photography. He inspired so many underwater photographers to improve their game in this area and he always gave praise and credit to his underwater models for their contribution. Something all underwater photographers should remember to do.

Here's a free link to the story online. You miss the nice layout of the magazine, but the info is there.

http://www.divenewsnetwork.com/index.php/newsevents/divingnews/photos-videos/196-underwater-photography/2207-working-with-underwater-models

It's In The Bag! Vancouver Aquarium's Divers Weekend Seminar.

So appreciative of all who came out for my seminar today at the Vancouver Aquarium's Divers Weekend. Nice to meet Paul Kennel, Eiko Jones, Jody Greaves and ROy Mulder in the flesh. Also great to see Rick Stratton, Selene Muldowney, Lee Newman, Lisa Newman, Kelly Raymond Bracken and that Won Ton Aquatica Digital housing pusher, Stewart Sy. New friends, old friends, it's all good!

My Image Was Selected "Picture of the Day" Today At Sport Diver Magazine Online!

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!