Summer diving
August/13/2008 Filed in: pilot
whales, turtles
Just
finished 19 dives and alas, it’s time to leave as
I need to replenish my
wherewithals. My total dives here in Loreto must be close to the 100 mark,
which coincides with the mid-day temperatures.
Its been a marvellous three weeks despite the poor visibility that ranged
from 30-60 feet, lower than normal for this time of year. The upside is that
the sea was chock full of nutrients that attracted far and sundry animals.
Lots of turtles, mobulas and every species and school of fish imaginable. My
personal highlights of this season was spending a couple of minutes up front
and close within three feet from a lovely sea turtle who wasn’t frightened by
my gentle approach. Swimming completely encircled by a school of barracuda was
an unforgettable experience. And to top it all, had not one, but two swims
with pilot whales directly crossing my path below me. They came within 25 feet
of me while I was bobbing on the surface with just mask and fins. Daniel our
capitan extraordinaire spotted them and brought the boat to within a
respectable distance of the pod. I was perched on the port side ready to slip
into the water when I noticed the pod move away from us. Undaunted, I glided
myself into the water and lo, a mom and her baby reversed direction and swam
under me to get a closer look. I wanted to scream with joy, but thankfully
remembered I was underwater and thought better of it, however the experience
of several minutes of pilot whale encounter is etched indelibly into my brain.
I’ve posted a 100 or so photographs from this trip. My blogging will slowly
disappear like bubbles of air to the surface. There’s enough on this
blogsphere to inform and entertain divers who may wish to connect with this
part of the globe. I’ll return again to Loreto next year and look forward to
reacquainting myself with one of the most beautiful, spectacular, diverse and
special eco-systems on the planet. We are so blessed. Happy bubbles!
wherewithals. My total dives here in Loreto must be close to the 100 mark,
which coincides with the mid-day temperatures.
Its been a marvellous three weeks despite the poor visibility that ranged
from 30-60 feet, lower than normal for this time of year. The upside is that
the sea was chock full of nutrients that attracted far and sundry animals.
Lots of turtles, mobulas and every species and school of fish imaginable. My
personal highlights of this season was spending a couple of minutes up front
and close within three feet from a lovely sea turtle who wasn’t frightened by
my gentle approach. Swimming completely encircled by a school of barracuda was
an unforgettable experience. And to top it all, had not one, but two swims
with pilot whales directly crossing my path below me. They came within 25 feet
of me while I was bobbing on the surface with just mask and fins. Daniel our
capitan extraordinaire spotted them and brought the boat to within a
respectable distance of the pod. I was perched on the port side ready to slip
into the water when I noticed the pod move away from us. Undaunted, I glided
myself into the water and lo, a mom and her baby reversed direction and swam
under me to get a closer look. I wanted to scream with joy, but thankfully
remembered I was underwater and thought better of it, however the experience
of several minutes of pilot whale encounter is etched indelibly into my brain.
I’ve posted a 100 or so photographs from this trip. My blogging will slowly
disappear like bubbles of air to the surface. There’s enough on this
blogsphere to inform and entertain divers who may wish to connect with this
part of the globe. I’ll return again to Loreto next year and look forward to
reacquainting myself with one of the most beautiful, spectacular, diverse and
special eco-systems on the planet. We are so blessed. Happy bubbles!