Tiger and Hammerhead Trip with Jim Abernathy

Just a quick summary of 5 days of incredible diving with crazy Tiger Shark Matador Jim Abernathy, and his crew Jake, Ed, and Mike. Great crew, great trip. The only thing I missed was seeing any Great Hammerheads. Unfortunately our planned dive at The End of the Map where they are most likely to be found was called off due to weather. We more than made up for it though at our alternate spot White Sand Ridge, where we had a breathtaking dolphin encounter with about a dozen - I counted 11 together at one point - Spotted Dolphins. Swimming and playing with us as we snorkelled clumsily amongst them, we tried to keep them entertained for about 2 1/2 hours.

We experienced the legendary Tiger Beach, a sphincter tightening night dive there but only the Lemons showed, daily 'Lemon Snaps' and the grand finale, 'Monster Chaos' with 9 Tigers and I don't know how many Lemons in the water at once. Hope you enjoy.

http://homepage.mac.com/jeffinorlando/Baha...merhead%20Trip/

Hope you enjoy.

I did, really liked the photos - my favorites I think is the third one down on the left with the shark and the boat (and the one to the right of that), and the one right below that also (the split shot and teeth)

Man how I love expeditions with Jim and his sharks!

Just a quick summary of 5 days of incredible diving with crazy Tiger Shark Matador Jim Abernathy, and his crew Jake, Ed, and Mike. Great crew, great trip. The only thing I missed was seeing any Great Hammerheads. Unfortunately our planned dive at The End of the Map where they are most likely to be found was called off due to weather. We more than made up for it though at our alternate spot White Sand Ridge, where we had a breathtaking dolphin encounter with about a dozen - I counted 11 together at one point - Spotted Dolphins. Swimming and playing with us as we snorkelled clumsily amongst them, we tried to keep them entertained for about 2 1/2 hours.

We experienced the legendary Tiger Beach, a sphincter tightening night dive there but only the Lemons showed, daily 'Lemon Snaps' and the grand finale, 'Monster Chaos' with 9 Tigers and I don't know how many Lemons in the water at once. Hope you enjoy.

http://homepage.mac.com/jeffinorlando/Baha...merhead%20Trip/

Great shots, with the low iso I assume you were shooting a flash or two. Were you using the 17-55mm? Did you use manual or ap settings?

I am planning on doing this trip someday, your shots make me want to do it soon!

Tiger Beach is only in 15 feet of water, so it is possible to shoot without flash, and use the magic filter. I prefer to use my strobes, even if it's just for some fill of the underside of the sharks. Mine were turned down to 1/8 power or at most 1/4.

I tried all my lenses, but I was happiest with my 17-55 for sharpness etc. (The last two at least were with this lens. Next time I will try a 16mm, because it's a little more compact, gives a wider view than the 17-55, but not too much like the 10.5, and is more compact. (Don't need extension ring or diopter).

I used manual or shutter priority.

Tiger Beach is only in 15 feet of water, so it is possible to shoot without flash, and use the magic filter. I prefer to use my strobes, even if it's just for some fill of the underside of the sharks. Mine were turned down to 1/8 power or at most 1/4.

I tried all my lenses, but I was happiest with my 17-55 for sharpness etc. (The last two at least were with this lens. Next time I will try a 16mm, because it's a little more compact, gives a wider view than the 17-55, but not too much like the 10.5, and is more compact. (Don't need extension ring or diopter).

I used manual or shutter priority.

your lemon snaps are great shotsthe over/under evening one is incredible

Thank you; definitely an adrenalin rush, or as Jim would say ' You have to have three cups of coffee first in the morning.'

your lemon snaps are great shotsthe over/under evening one is incredible

Enjoyed your gallery. #6 is unique ... very nice!

Thank you, yes #6 is one of my favorites. Those poor Ramoras, do not get enough attention.

Very nice shots! And congrats on getting to spend time with the dolphins!

Great shots! I love 7, brings back vivid memories of that adrenaline squirt as a big tiger swings round to eye you and you try to frame her and hold the camera steady

Jim is certainly a larger than life character and I don't know of anyone who has not immensely enjoyed his company and subsequently highly recommended his trips. Although I was taking video our whole trip, I really enjoyed Jim's photography 'master classes'. His 'lemon-snaps' techniques and Photoshop tips made sure everyone left more skilled than they arrived.

Thanks guys. Yes he's larger than life for sure. I can still hear him yelling in excitement about how there were 8 Tigers in the water and we had to hurry up and get down there with them - the divers getting ready on the boat of course were not so sure.

It looks like I'll be joining you in August. I've signed on to take David's last spot. I'm looking forward to it.

Sounds great. I see from your website that you know all about Lemon and Tiger Snaps.

WOW...Fabulous shots. Love those sharks and dolphins.

Fun shots, thanks for sharing them! I'm very envious. Cheers, Jad

Hello to all here!

Hello loftus!

I have also been on this trip an met loftus there (he made fantastic photos) -

I made a short small video -

- if you want to take a look - click on the link below:

http://76.162.236.103/images/bilder/haivideo_kurz.mov

Welcome to Wetpixel Georg. Hope you have fun on these forums. I look forward to seeing more of your stuff on the video forums.

Outstanding!!!!

#4 is stunning! Also like #10 with sunset background.

Let me want to dive with tiger shark next time!

Thanks for sharing.

Wow!

We had to work really hard in the Sudanese Red Sea to find ONE tiger last month, and it took ten dives to find some friendly hammerheads. I was invited to make up the numbers on one of Jim's trips, but had to work... d***!

I have never seen anything move as fast as the tiger shark when it snapped around when one of my companions tried to shoot its snout. Hanging beneath a deco bag after dropping to 55m for the shoal of scalloped hammerheads, I REALLY hoped that that was one shark that wasn't going to return!

Some results of my Sudanese struggle (including a lot of soul-searching about the morality of travelling to such a troubled country):

Tim

B)