Ocean Safari 2008 gallery

Since quite a few of you were bitching about finding the pics in the trip report, I thought I'd start a gallery where most of the pics from the boat team can be seen. Trip report is here: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24944

I'll start off with my underwater crap. Please note I hadn't shot WA action with a DSLR since 2004. before last year, and I usually don't like to show pics online. But since this is my most favorite event of the year, I made an exception for this time:

Canon 1DIIN Sigma 12-24 1/200 f13 ISO400

Dolphins just coming out of the baitball. Note the gannets in the background.

Canon 1DIIN Sigma 12-24 1/125 f4.5 ISO400

A lone C. Limbatus hunting in the baitball.

Canon 1D2N Sigma 12-24 f4.5 1/160 ISO400

The mad rush to eat!

Canon 1D2N Sigma 12-24 f4.5 1/160 ISO400

If you look closely, you'll see the 4th dolphin from the top has 2 fish in its mouth. Yes you ask why I didn't have the 16-35 at 35 with strobes?!? Because I'm stupid!

Canon 1D2N Sigma 12-24 f5.6 1/160 ISO400

Scatter! yes another dolphin eating yet another herring.

Canon 1D2 Sigma 12-24 f11 1/250 ISO400

A more arty farty moment.

Diving birds actually cause the visibility to drop as the bubbles from their dive dissipates in the clean water. When over 100 birds dive at the same time, the cloud just blurs out any good shots.

The Common dolphins tend to hit the outside of the baitball to keep the ball intact. But with herring, which pack looser, they hit the prey in group attacks closer to the center of the baitball.

Different predator species get involved. In the left of this pic you can just barely see a blurry outline that is a cape fur seal mixing in with the common dolphins. And no there was no clean shot since it swam the other way and took off.

Another mix of predators with C. Limbatus and Brachyurus in feeding mode while the gannets find their prey have gone a little too deep after their dive. While they can head down to 30m even, they need to gain height and have a clear line of sight. That day it was cloudy and the sea was choppy, so the gannets couldn't judge too well. They missed a lot as the baitball stayed between 8-12m.

More than 60 gannets dive down to hunt.

Most shots were ambient light with no filters. Color was done in post in batch via PS action so I think there are a few misfires but I'm too lazy to do them one at a time.

Very nice, Drew. I really like the atmosphere in the last one.

Alex

Its hard to have a favourite out of them Drew, they are all very good. You guys certainly had some action last year. I am saving my pennies up for 2012. The legend Sir David A's new series that is on BBC at the moment had some amazing footage from just along the coast from Waterfall Bluff. I would say it is on every divers " things to do before I die " list and seeing photos like yours makes me want to witness the action even more. Thanks for sharing.

Stew

Sorry Alex. I was editing because the pics didn't show. Now they are all there. I don't think the real last one is worth anything but informational purposes only.

The other peeps should be posting their pics soon.

I'll start off with my underwater crap.

I find it very far from crap! Some great dolphin pictures, and the birds add some action to the pictures. Where did you shoot those?

/Bent

I always enjoy your photos from this event.

The photos are amazing but it must have been surreal watching all this happening in front of you

Pics from Alex Safanov:

Pics from Colin Robson:

Thanks Craig, I mean Drew ; I'll quit bugging you at least for now.

What a great collection of images, the action is non-stop, almost out of breath just going through them.

My favorite of yours is #9, third from the end.

More from Colin:

Yes that shark was that BIG... photo is to scale Yes that's Drew!

Bryde's whale back. Back was all everyone else saw.

Here is one from Andrej Belic of Alex Safonov:

Guess who didn't see the bryde's whale make a pass?

Btw, that is a D3 with a FE and Seaflash 250s. That's how big this whale was.

Here is one from Andrej Belic of Alex Safanov:

Guess who didn't see the bryde's whale make a pass?

I think I can guess name of that person - SafOnov (Alex)

Thank you for compiling such great gallery. I love your pictures Drew, very sharp and action is caught perfectly. I will add few more of my favorites:

Thank you again for organizing this trip last year - it was fantastic experience. I hope to make it to SA this season again - even if conditions are not as good as last year there is still a lot of things to enjoy.

Cheers, Alex

Wow!

Sorry Alex, how else was I going to force you to post pics?

The only response I can come up with is HOLY %*(#*)%#$@#$@!~!!!!!!

Does anyone have any video of this stuff posted anywhere?

This place is also on my list of things to do before I croak.

Cheers

Richard

absolutely awesome- are you gonna put hard print copies up for sale?

What a fantastic display of images

This one made my chin hit the floor

Beautiful capture.

Thankyou for sharing.

Nige Wade

Wow!