Born Free: Churchill, Manitoba's Beluga Whales.

Truly, where these Canaries of the Sea belong. Having now experienced Beluga's in their arctic domain, you cannot form any other conclusion about these sentient sea mammals.

Matador Ambassadors - Jett & Kathryn Britnell.

Our Matador Ambassador profile is now online at Matador Network. Check it out: http://matadornetwork.com/ambassadors/jett-kathryn-britnell/

Some Say Fish Tail Shots Don't Work. What Would Picasso Say?

  

“Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.” – Pablo Picasso.

Professional Photographers Of Canada (PPOC) Press Releases: Jett Britnell.

"I read the news today, oh boy. About a lucky man who made the grade." - The Beatles.

Two Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC )Association Press Releases with my name on it. Professional Photographers must have an Accreditation in at least one specific genre of photography to advertise themselves as a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC)Association. My submission in the underwater category was singled out as being Excellent Overall and the panel of judges commented, "a great example for this category."

That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for... for... mankind? Naw, that one has been used already. Sounds too moon-landish. How about... We're just happy to have passed the audition. 

Have Sharks, Will Travel: Our Shark Diving Gang!

(Ken Kiefer, Kimber Keating Kiefer, Amanda Cotton, Michael Maes, Ellen Cuylearts, Jett Britnell, Kathryn Britnell, Alex Delong and the incomparable, Miss Margaux Maes)

Over the past year we have dived or snorkeled Tiger Beach, Cat Island, and Isla Mujeres with this family of friends. Some of the nicest peeps you'll ever find living on the 3rd stone from the sun. ;)

“Well, Come See A Fat Old Man Sometime.” – Rooster Cogburn (from the movie, True Grit).

Alex Delong and I made the steep climb up to the toppermost of the highest pyramid in Mexico's Maya world today! At more than 130 feet in height, Nohuch Mul, which means “large mound” in the Mayan language, is located deep inside the jungle and also happens to be the tallest pyramid at Cobá archaeological site in the Yucatán Peninsula. What better place to take a selfie than from the top?

Whale Shark Adventures At Isla Mujeres.

Kathryn and I are spending a few extra days on the Mayan Riviera visiting several Mayan ruins. In the meantime, here are some images from our 4 days of snorkeling approximately 14 to 16 miles offshore at Mexico's, Isla Mujeres. Difficult to describe the emotions of being within touching distance out in the big blue with these magnificent animals.

Ocean Artist Society Members Out For Dinner In Isla Mujeres.

Kathryn and I have spent the past week snorkeling with whale sharks offshore from Isla Mujeres with numerous friends. Last night we enjoyed an intimate dinner for 19 with some major talents who do much good work for the ocean realm.

If a man is known by the company he keeps and how well he keeps it. All these woman pictured here are all such immense talents with brave hearts, passion, drive and determination. We all happen to be members of the Ocean Artists Society. proud to be a fellow member with these remarkable woman. Prouder still to simply be able to call them friends. Pictured here: (Amanda Cotton, Courteny Mattison, Jett Britnell, Ellen Cuylaerts)

Yup, I Shot That! - Scuba & H2O Adventure Magazine's July 2014 Cover Shot.

One of our shark images was selected for the cover of this months issue of Scuba & H2O Adventures Magazine, along with our story about “Sunshine, Lollipops & Tiger Beach!” About our adventure last November on Daniel Botelho's trip with Epic Diving. That's, Nat Geo UW Photographer, Daniel in the background.

Descending Into God’s Back Pocket: Queen Charlotte Strait’s 10 Best Dive Sites

Kathryn and I have a Northwest Dive Feature in the forthcoming July issue of Scuba & H2O Adventures Magazine. The story is “Descending Into God’s Back Pocket: Queen Charlotte Strait’s 10 Best Dive Sites.” 

The online copy has been posted at:
http://www.divenewsnetwork.com/index.php/scuba/scuba/scuba-dive-sites-trips/163-canadadivesites/nwcanada/2520-descending-into-god-s-back-pocket-queen-charlotte-strait-s-10-best-dive-sites

A Nice Shout Out From Scuba Diving Magazine!

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.