He's getting good with that camera of his. He wants a better one, but they are so expensive that right now the cost is prohibitive. Maybe after tax time. Although I don't think ol' Uncle Sam is going to be kind to either of us this year. OUCH!
Heavenly Light
Please sign my Guest Book, I like to know who's been here and what you think.
Angel Fish (click to enlarge picture)
This little guy wasn't so little. We were at Belcher Barge when this was taken.
Sting Ray
This was the second ray I have seen while diving. The other was so small I could have easily held it in my hands. This guy had a wingspan that reached from one side to the other of my outstretched arms. Not a real big ray from what I have been told, but he was a nice size. He wasn't very happy with divers invading his territory and took off as soon as we were within a few meters of him.
I noticed there are few things in this world that a person can enjoy while still being humbled by what is around them. Diving is one of those things.
I have a great respect and admiration for those who used to go down into the water when diving was in its infancy. They were either totally out of their minds, or so enthralled with the adventure and mystery and sights that they couldn't help themselves. They pushed the limits, and a lot of them died for it, but the things they learned and passed on have made this a much safer and interesting sport.
For me, I know my limits. I reached one of them on this last dive. Although I would have loved to have taken the second dive that day, I would not have put Dan in jeopardy. He's my partner and it is not something you do to a partner and friend. In a way I am very glad I didn't. He said the current picked up and even he had to struggle to get back to the boat. I would never have made it and would have ended up floating along waiting for the boat to come and get me.
Tuna in the Blue
Dan gave this picture an appropriate name. These two came out of nowhere in a group of pilchard. Thank goodness I am not fond of tuna fish or these guys may have been lunch. I was getting really hungry by this time. ;-) Too bad we didn't get a lobster or two. MMMMMM. Yummy!
My biggest problem is that when I get under that water I get mesmerized. Dan was warned to keep an eye on me because on land, I have a habit of just seeing something I want to look at and walking away from the group. (OOOO, A Shiny! You'll have to read about Kiki the ferret at www.sluggy.com to know what I mean.) And down there I see so much that I want to stop and study. I am a student of the arts, I pay attention to the little things around me, things that most people don't normally see. I usually keep my observations to myself, because most people would have no idea what I was talking about, or just wouldn't get it.
Underwater, I am humbled by the complexity of that world, so I pay attention to the little things. One day it will probably get me bitten by Mr. Jaws for not paying attention to the big picture, but it is a hard habit to break. Being an only child, I had to entertain myself a lot when I was a kid. So I played games in my head by looking for things most people would not notice. Some are funny, some sad, some interesting. But, down there I know it is a habit I will have to incorporate with the bigger scheme of things or I will end up hurt or hurting my partner. I am learning, and I AM careful, but I like to take my time and explore, which I guess is what this is all about in the first place.
