Ocean Safari 2012: It begins again

The annual Ocean Safari aka "Sardine Run" begins. I'm jumping on a plane to get there earlier because sardines have been seen as far North as Coffee Bay. Not too many predators though. Looks like this season is going to be all over the place. I'll try report from the ground as often as possible on here or @wpoceansafari on Twitter.

Good luck, Drew.

Just out of interest, what cameras will you be taking underwater?

Alex

Finally the gang has arrived. This year the Nikon D800 is en vogue and en force the camera to have... I count 6 rigs and more to come! Did I miss the memo?

Also on call is a custom 3D rig using ionized water in a beam splitter configuration. It's a proprietary design so I'll be posting pics if they allow it.

Action has been sparse so I've oncentrated on topside stuff and testing the cameras.

Quite a few WP members on various boats, I'll try organize a get together for everyone.

Finally the gang has arrived. This year the Nikon D800 is en vogue and en force the camera to have... I count 6 rigs and more to come! Did I miss the memo?

Also on call is a custom 3D rig using ionized water in a beam splitter configuration. It's a proprietary design so I'll be posting pics if they allow it.

Action has been sparse so I've oncentrated on topside stuff and testing the cameras.

Quite a few WP members on various boats, I'll try organize a get together for everyone.

Drew, i am here 3 weeks now, and we got like nothing so far :-(

Saterday is my last day at sea so 3 more days, stil keeping some hope.

Allot of whales thats the only good thing, if you organize a wetpixel drink do it fast sounds fun.

Bruno

Good luck Brumpy, hope those last 3 days produce enough to make it worth your while and expense. Post some shots when you get back.

Steve

Jeff's first day at sea and we run into a superpod delphinus capensis (long beaked common dolphin), some 1000 strong. Almost got in with a baitball but a Bryde's whale spoiled the party by eating it all in a single gulp. Then the 20 knot Wind hit and we followed 5 battling humpback with lobtailing, breaching and fun slaps with the wind. Nice first day, but many around are disappointed due to the lack of understanding of what actually happens.

As for drinks, we are meeting at the monkey at 730pm. Anyone in the area please come by to socialize.

Loftus got in on his first African baitfish activity, fast moving.herring that didn't stay around too long. He likes his D800 resolution.

Loftus had a slight brown patch moment while following some sardines when a humback breached right next to him! My heart stopped but I still took the pic!!

which one was Jeff? Hope he got the shot!

Well, my campaign is over for 2012. Probably the worst year for amount of fish and predators, mostly in bad viz. That didn't stop some operators from jumping in! Will write a report soon.

Thanks Drew; despite the lack of underwater action, still had a great time; plan to be back - it is addictive. I plan to spend more time there hopefully next year. As for the whale breaching above, (I was the one towards the front of the whale) viz was so bad that I really only saw it as it broke the surface. Needless to say I tried bringing my camera up in time to get an over under, but only got one image that shows even part of a whale, and the rest I was covered in water. More fps on my D800 would not have made a lick of difference.

Here's the only one that shows a piece of the whale. Also does not help that my lens was cranked out to 18mm. The rest just show water over my dome.