Three days diving in Gran Canaria

I haven't shared any images in a while, so I thought I'd put some up from a great trip to Gran Canaria. I stayed and dived with Wetpixel member David Barrio (davichin) and some of the talented underwater photography community out there. We also had a chance for a beer with Mark Thorpe (CamDiver).

There are many excellent photographers on the islands, it is a pity that we don't get to see more of their work on English language forums. I guess I am going to have to learn spanish!

Despite only having a few days I saw some great stuff. It was great to see a John Dory in better viz than we have in England:

And also to see the larger numifer froggies they have there:

Although it wasn't the right time of year, I was happy to see a couple angel sharks, which have recently been added to the Red List of endangered animals:

I took 3 lenses with me: 10-17mm, 60mm and 150mm. The trip also gave me a chance to shoot my new Inon Z240s, which I have bought for green water diving. They worked well, although I missed the blues my Subtronics give me (one of my Subtronics is currently holidaying in Stuttgart).

The 30 image gallery is here:

http://www.amustard.com/?page=grancan_gal_07

Alex

WOW

great pics Alex, you did it again

You know they have frequent splash-in contest on each Canarian Island (being the most known the El Hierro Open once a year on October) and they have the oportunity to improve their skill troughtout competition.

Of course they also have excelent sea conditions...

Alex,

Some brilliant images and critters, especially love the cuttlefish and moray eels. Did you manage to get any close-up shots of the angelsharks?

Regards

Nigel

Yep, I also shot the angelsharks with the 60mm. But the photos are a bit "There's an angelshark!" "No, that's just sand!" "Its an angelshark, honest."

I am hoping to head back an do a more dedicated angleshark shoot. So I didn't want to post too many average angelsharks shots, when I hope to have better ones in the future.

Alex

Alex,

I know how difficult the angel sharks are to shoot. I used to encounter the Australian angel shark irregularly off southern New South Wales, only once or twice a year (once spend a month searching for them, and out of some 30 dives only found 6 angels).

Very hard to photograph at times, they are either covered with sand or swimming away from you if you disturb them, very rarely do they sit in a nice position for images. Haven't photographed them for years, since film days, but dying to get back to shoot some digital images when I get the time to travel back to southern New South Wales.

What is the species you are photographing at Gran Canaria? and how common are they?

Regards

Nigel

Hi Alex,

loved the angel shark...Nice

I loved my stay in El-Hierro although it was a bit of a trek getting there it was well worth it..I am definately going back..If anyone cares to join me..

Dive safe

DeanB

Good shots Alex.

You have good luck with David. He is a good guide.

You should visit my island. Here the dive is more deeper that Gran Canaria.

I loved the cuttlefish duo shot.

When is the angle shark seasson?

AFAIK, the angel sharks are resident and can be seen around the islands all year, but aggregate in higher densities at some sites at some times of the year. I asked the local photographers when was the best time to see this - some said spring others mid-summer (and these were both views from guys who have lived all their lives on the islands)!

The best way, I guess, is to keep an eye on Spanish UW photo forums - which are dominated by people from the Canaries - and look out for when angelote pictures start showing up.

Carlos, are you going to El Hierro next week? Good luck in the Fotosub, if you are. Everyone on Gran Canaria spoke very highly of the diving quality on Lanzarote (although maybe this was just to avoid giving any praise to Tenerife!).

I hope to come back for a much longer shoot next year - and take in diving on as many islands as I can.

Alex

I love the John Dory and the reflection in his eye (of course I've never seen a John Dory so it is especially interesting to me).

Plus you did a good job with the angel shark - very cool.

Thanks, I love to see creatures from places that are a little "different"! And beautiful photographs at that.

Best, Carol

Great pictures Alex!

it has even more merit when someone goes to a (like Seagrant says ) "different" place for only a couple of days and manages to get this kind of pics

I hope you come back soon!!

Hola David,

How's everything there mate? having a blast here in Washington at the moment and will be looking to head back to the UK tomorrow night. Landing in London around 10am.

How's the weather? Maybe back to the island before heading out to Africa, have to check the schedule.

Cheers,

Mark.

HI Alex,

great images, I go to Fuerteventura most Christmas times of the year

& always see Angel Sharks & Eagle Rays. These may be residents or I may

be just lucky.

Andy

great images, with a very fine John Dory (San Pietro in italian ) B)

Nice shots Alex, David is one of the best guides you could ever have in Las Canarias. He knows the best places to dive perfectly.

Congrats again

oops, not me

Alex, I really like your angel shark. The sand has a prehistoric texture, and complements the shark IMHO.