Matador Network's Newest Ambassadors: Jett & Kathryn Britnell.

“Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.” ~ L. Frank Baum.

Kathryn and I are thrilled to announce we have been accepted as Matador Ambassadors for Matador Network. At present, there are only 50 Matador Ambassadors globally.

Matador Ambassadors are leading photographers, journalists, musicians, artists, educators and writers with a passion for storytelling, travel, and conservation and whose work intersects place and travel culture. Matador Network is an independent media company and nexus of travel culture worldwide. It was the world’s first interactive travel magazine that has taken the best of professional journalism and online community and blended the two to create something much more compelling than either by itself. It is now one of the largest independent travel publishers online, reaching over 2 million unique monthly visitors.

According to SkiftIQ, a company who tracks social media metrics that covers the social media activity of over two thousand travel brands, “Matador Network is the most successful media brand on social media. Although its numbers in any of the four categories that we track do not rise to the level of first place, its mix of activity and heightened level of interaction with users through conversations, retweets, and shares, gives it the edge over its peers.”

We’re excited at the opportunity for our travel writing and images to reach a larger worldwide audience. Seems our status has also been elevated to "filmmaker"??? LOL, who knew? Anyway, we have several travel stories currently being developed.

http://matadornetwork.com/ambassadors/jett-kathryn-britnell/

Conversations With Old Friends On Facebook.

Red-eye Medusa Jellyfish - British Columbia.

Always fascinated by these red-eye jellyfish. Photographed in open water at Eagle Rock, Browning Passage. Diving with Browning Pass Hideaway Dive Resort: http://www.vancouverislanddive.com/

 

Lunch On A Saturday Afternoon In Vancouver.

Saturday afternoon's alright for dining! Kathryn and I were able to meet up for lunch today at Havanas on Commercial Drive with the lovely Jody Greaves and her very talented photographer / tadpole worshiping boyfriend Eddie...? ...Easel!? ...ahhhh yes, Eiko Jones! Such a nice time. Safe journey home. Next time, more time! 

A Writer Needs The Occasional Distraction.

A writer needs the occasional distraction when their nose is literally buried in Microsoft Word. Four Black-tailed Deer just showed up in the yard next door so I grabbed the Nikon and photographed them over the fence. We were literally three feet apart with only a high fence between us. Well, I've got so much more to think about. Deadlines and commitments. What to leave in, what to leave out. I'm older now but still runnin' against the wind. Hmmm. I wonder if Hemingway ever spent sunny afternoons writing on the back deck quoting prose from Bob Seger? Ughhh... back at her.

Today Is World Oceans Day 2014!

World Oceans Day, June 8, is a time to remember we are all connected to the oceans no matter where we live — inland or on the coast. The Government of Canada proposed the concept of World Ocean Day in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the day has been celebrated internationally ever since. As of 2009, June 8 has been officially declared by the United Nations as "World Oceans Day." (source: Fisheries & Oceans Canada)
 

Simply try and do something positive each day for the Oceans of the World. For more information about things you can do, go to: http://worldoceansday.org/

Martin Short - River Rock Casino!

Front row center at a Martin Short performance. You cannot sit any closer to a comedic genius. Still laughing the day after. Nuff said!

Pleased To Meet You, Mrs Shark.

Our friend, Ken Kiefer, http://www.kenkiefer.com, captured me at play last month with this Oceanic Whitetip Shark off Cat Island in the Bahamas. He has made this image into digital art with some post image processing voodoo.

R.I.P. Braun Coffee Bean Grinder.

R.I.P. Braun Coffee Bean Grinder. Why you chose to suddenly die in mid grind this morning after 20 years of faithful service... we will never truly know? That's the new kid standing in your shadow. B&D will likely only last 10 days the way it is built. But, it will just have to do until we can find another quality grinder. Sayanora!

Some People Call Sharks Monsters. Some, But Not All.

Our friend, Ken Kiefer (http://www.kenkiefer.com), shares his lifelong sentiments about sharks. Thoughts and feelings that so many of us share. 

Kathryn Britnell Knows How To Make A Picture!

So proud of my wife, Kathryn! At the B.C. Association of Travel Writers Symposium today they held an on the spot food photo contest wherein attendees who wished could photograph their lunch and enter. Kathryn's entry was one of 3 winners chosen. She won for "Best Plate" presentation. A friend Kathryn had invited won "Best Platter" shot and someone else won for "Best Shot from The Prop Table."

"By The Time I Get To Bellingham" - An Evening With Jimmy Webb.

Still feeling completely gobsmacked to have met famed songwriter, Jimmy Webb, following his performance at Bellingham's Mount Baker Theater last night. Built in 1927 and recently restored to its original splendor, this 1500 seat venue provided a rather intimate atmosphere for this legendary performer.

Songwriting has always held an interest for me. If it could be said there is such a thing as a songwriting super hero, then Mr Webb has always been that to me. In person, he truly comes across as being a kind, warm-hearted and gracious man. After he autographed his book, Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting (Yes, I brought my copy to the show. I can't explain it, but I just felt I should take it with me), I asked if he would be so kind as to pose for a picture? He immediately said, "Of course!", and swung his arm around me as if we were old friends. Like, I said, feeling gobsmacked to have met such a legendary songwriter whose work I have admired since I was 10 years old.

A Walk About Paris.

"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life." 

 ~ Thomas Jefferson

Happy Mothers Day 2014!

My two dates for Mothers Day in Bellingham today. A round of golf at Avalon followed by a sumptuous dinner at Giuseppe's Al-Porto Italian Restaurant. Feeling grateful to have both in my life!

Behind Every Good Man, Stands An Even Greater Woman.

 "I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives."  ~ Tracy Chapman.

It’s been said that behind every great man, stands a great woman. However, in my case, I feel I’m the one happily applauding the efforts of a great woman. Apart from her respected career in the insurance industry (trust me, she has the steel trap mind of a seasoned lawyer), Kathryn has a long and enviable history of doing volunteer work.

Kathryn’s volunteerism includes membership of a service club, food banks, international women’s’ education organizations & networking groups, family groups, scholarship committees, fundraising events & committees and representing road safety initiatives for pedestrians and cyclists. There has not been a time where Kathryn hasn’t been involved in helping others. Presently, she devotes some after hour time serving as President for the Families of Abuse Society (FOA). The FOA’s mandate is to assist woman and families of domestic violence and abuse in Metro Vancouver by providing basic necessities to support their transitions to safety.

A “transition” means a change from one situation to another. In the case of families of abuse, transition means fleeing an abusive environment to find a safe environment. Transition homes provide temporary safe shelter for women who may or may not have dependent children. While living in transition, basic necessities are provided, and programs and support are available to aid the family. After a 30-day transition period, the families take their next step towards independent living. The transition homes secure a new, safe home for them. The FOA provides furniture and basic household items to help set up the homes so the families can live comfortably. On an on going basis, the FOA collects and distributes donations of household furnishings, small appliances, household supplies, cleaning and paper products, and toiletries.

It’s both fascinating and heart-warming to witness the good work that goes on. Kathryn is not one who seeks the spotlight. The kick for her is simply knowing she has in some way made a difference for those who may need a helping hand during a difficult time in their lives. When she comes home and says that a corporate sponsor has donated hundreds of pillows, well, you just gotta know that this is making a vitally huge difference in someone’s life.

And so, I’m shining a spotlight tonight on my amazing wife’s noble and selfless efforts. This is not the kind of work where an audience spontaneously rises to their feet and gives a standing ovation. She and her colleagues may never meet the many people they have actually assisted. I don’t think this matters to any of them. They are not seeking fame, or glory. They are in it to win it for those who find themselves in dire need to make a transition in their lives.

Ohhh What A Feeling, What A Rush!

My friend, Ken Kiefer, posted this wonderful photo of his wife, Kimber, and I on his Facebook page today. Here we are in the water with an Oceanic Whitetip Shark off Cat Island in the Bahamas. Guess, if this underwater photography gig doesn't pan out, I could always find work as an underwater model. LOL!

Guardian Of The Reef - The Cayman Island's Newest Undersea Attraction.

Wow!, so much talent resides within so many of our friends. Here is a link to Frans De Backer's stunning short film on the placement of Simon Morris's elegant sculpture "Guardian of the Reef,"  which now rests on the seafloor in Cayman. If you ever have an opportunity to share a bottle of wine with either of these fine men, do it! 

http://vimeo.com/92801730 

Happy Earth Day 2014!

Moonlight Manta Dance - By Michael Maes.

"Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Found my way downstairs and drank a cup." And then this...

Signed on to Facebook to be greeted by some stunning footage of Manta Rays in Kona by one of diving's future legends, Michael Maes. Also, a great guy and a close friend. So from time to time we get to witness a pure genius at work. Take a couple minutes out of your day to enjoy "Moonlight Manta Dance." 

http://vimeo.com/92474489 

The Underwater Photographer, Photographed!

Here are some images my friend, Ken Kiefer, captured of us at work during our recent trip to Cat Island in the Bahamas to photograph Oceanic Whitetip Sharks. I'm the one clutching the camera housing. Such a talented photographer, I love his work. Check it out at; www.kenkiefer.com

In Da Hood!

"What people don't understand is joining a gang ain't bad, it's cool, it's fine. When you in the hood, joining a gang it's cool because all your friends are in the gang, all your family's in the gang. We're not just killing people every night, we're just hanging out, having a good time."  

~ Snoop Dogg.

Yup, here we all are in da hood, just hanging out having a good time. Departure lounge, New Bight International Airport, Cat Island, Bahamas, after a fabulous week photographing Oceanic Whitetip Sharks with Epic Diving.

Pictured above: L to R, Michael Maes, Kimber Kiefer, Jett Britnell, Ken Kiefer, Ellen Cuylaerts, Debra Canabal & Vincent Canabal.

Week Of The Long Hands - Oceanic Whitetip Sharks.

Two weeks ago, I was with friends snorkeling offshore and photographing Oceanic Whitetip Sharks at the remote Cat Island in the Bahamas.

Jacques Cousteau once proclaimed Oceanic Whitetip Sharks were, "the most dangerous of all sharks." He also nicknamed them, "the Long Hands" due to their notably long, white-tipped, rounded fins. While there is no question they could inflict some serious damage on a person, they were actually quite well behaved during our time in the ocean with them offshore at Cat Island, Bahamas. A truly magnificent shark whose numbers around the world are in sharp decline. Like all sharks in the ocean, they need to be protected from shark finning. This shark's particularly large long knives are highly valued as the chief ingredient of shark fin soup. These apex ocean predators belong offshore in the World's oceans, not at the bottom of an Asian soup bowl.

Here are just a few photos that I captured. 

Give ‘Em The Fin.

 

GIVE ‘EM THE FIN
http://seasave.org/what-we-do/give-em-the-fin/
@ Sea Save

Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary Kathryn Britnell!

April 2, 2014: I'm currently on an assignment photographing Oceanic Whitetip sharks in the waters off  Cat Island in the Bahamas. Kathryn was unable to make this trip, so we're celebrating upon my return. Her Facebook post warms my heart!