Regards from Emma and Babycakes

Just got back from a Jim Abernathy trip to Tiger Beach and surrounding areas. What a blast!

Just a couple of quick pics till I get all of my pics spotted and sorted out. Those who have done this trip will know sweet Emma and Babycakes who I got to meet up close, to say the least. BTW do not ask Jim to help you fix your rig.

It’s always a pleasure to see a pro in action

Good to see Jimmy still has that deft touch when trying to "fix" something in the field LOL......

Seriously, he has saved many photographer's trips since he IS one and understands the passion people have for getting good shots.

dhaas

He even works on his own gear -- with a hacksaw!!

Emma and Babycakes who I got to meet up close,

How long a telephoto lens was that? I mean you weren't actually that close, right? They got TEETH

Nice shots, it actually looks like the attempted repair was scarier than the sharks...

Yes, the sharks were all over us, swimmimg through us, and I was bowled over by Babycakes ( I think) during 'Monster Chaos'. At this time there were 9 Tigers around us, and of course who knows how many Lemons. Those two shots are uncropped with a 17-55 (+2 diopter) at 17, the subjects right on my dome. For my next trip back with Jim and David Haas in August, I'll use a fixed 16mm which I've ordered. That's all Jim uses (Canon 15mm) and his shots are amazing. I tried my 12-24 and my sharpness could not compare to his 15mm or my 17-55 at 17mm

I was bowled over by Babycakes ( I think) during 'Monster Chaos'.

I was bumped by reef sharks in the Bahamas, not sure how I would deal with a Tiger Shark bowling me over - saw the video of the dive in the other thread, every one was right in there with the sharks.

I do not remember being too intimidated last time I did something like that, but they have just been reef sharks - I recall being more intent on watching the sharks and taking photos as oppossed to being worried (Was a bit more worried on a dive before that when I was coming up and on a safety stop was being circled by some sharks, no one mentioned they were going to be baiting the water at that point in the same area )

For some reason Tigers, Bulls and Lemons just give me a bit more pause - I was actually going to ask Nick in the other thread what it was like getting out of the water when he mentioned the recommendations including do not swim away from them - you have to get out of the water somehow

TheRealDrew (and others interested),

The Tiger Sharks while bigger and having teeth designed to take out large chunks in a single bite are usually a bit more wary. Not that you don't watch the "business end" closely during Tiger Beach dives.

Over the last 3-4 years on many Shearwater trips the most heart stopping moment I've had was actually at El Dorado, when a group of Caribbean Reef sharks somehow broke a crate open and all hell broke loose. One smallish 4' Reef shark grabbed a huge hunk of fish, with both ends sticking out of his mouth. He zoomed past in the fading 5:30 p.m. light with several others giving chase. These guys have a "pack dog" mentality and one who was at the back, and obviously not going to get a scrap turned suddenly and "raked" the back of our buddy's tank! All the diver felt was a "nudge", but when we reviewd a video one guy was shooting there it was.....

As Jimmy preaches on these trips, sharks are smarter than we give them credit for....With caution and paying attention you can get you some great photo ops, though..

YMMV

dhaas

David is correct. This weekend I plan to organize my pics and post a trip report of sorts. I'll make a point to talk a bit about the different types of shark encounters, how Jim briefs you for these etc.

As Jimmy preaches on these trips, sharks are smarter than we give them credit for....With caution and paying attention you can get you some great photo ops, though..

Thanks for the info, the jailbreak sounded intense. Have heard that the tigers are normally more wary and slower moving in general - at some point soon I will get a chance to find out (I hope )