My moment with this gentle giant was fleeting, no more than 30 seconds, but wow what a wonderful moment it was.
When finally it swam into the distance, visibility, light and turbidity were not kind to the camera. All colour and definition were gone, but still the grace with which it swam was mesmerising.
This was my last glimpse before it disappeared into the depths below but not before it showed that unmistakable shark profile that evolution has not changed in millions of years.
Tags: BrayHead Cetorhinusmaximus ValentiaIsland ancient baskingshark blackandwhite creatures diving ireland kerry megafauna monochrome scuba sharks
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We were nearing the end of a fabulous dive just off Bray Head on Valentia Island and were hovering around 5m sandwiched between the surface and the kelp bed below.
I turned to locate my dive buddy and instead was greeted by a massive grey form coming up from below and swimming directly for me. It is hard to describe and give justice to the experience which followed.
At first I thought it was the biggest and strangest looking dolphin that ever existed. I was stupefied until it gracefully dived under me and the expanse of this giant shark was revealed.
Basking sharks are the second largest shark or fish after the whale shark and typically will reach 8m in length. This one was on the smaller size, perhaps 4-5m, but still possessed incredible presence.
After swimming beneath me, this beautiful creature performed a graceful turn, revealed its ancient profile, then doubled back for a moment before reaching the edge of the kelp and diving back down into the depths.
This was my first encounter with these gentle giants and left us both basking in the beauty of the encounter.
Tags: BrayHead Cetorhinusmaximus ValentiaIsland ancient baskingshark creatures diving ireland kerry megafauna scuba sharks
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Danger Overhead
Just like looking out for overhead power lines it pays to look up when diving.
We teach new divers that they should never put themselves into a position where they can not make an immediate ascent to the surface if they come into difficulty.
It's all very well to be taught to be a good dive buddy, to be vigilant and always at the ready to assist your dive buddy should a problem arise but how often is that vigilance really put to the test.
More often than not when a manageable crisis arises, divers head straight up regardless of their buddy.
So remember to look up, there may be danger overhead.
Photo: Robert Rath, 'Danger Overhead', 1/160s f/22 ISO320 15mm
... more at wetshutter.com
Tags: greynurse sharks ocean scuba diving broughtonisland northrock easternpomfred carchariastaurus schuettascalaripinnis predator silhouette dangerous nelsonbay portstephens letsgoadventures
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It Came from Outer Space
For many people this may very well be outer space being so removed the comfort of the breathable world.
It's not even the lovely crystal clear underwater landscape of a Cousteau Documentary with only a few meters of visibility.
The place is however a very real and very terrestrial Broughton Island and the pace is anything but deadly as this big and beautiful female Grey Nurse shark cruises every so gently by.
Photo: Robert Rath, 'It Came from Outer Space', 1/160s f/14 ISO400 15mm
... more at wetshutter.com
Tags: greynurse sharks ocean scuba diving broughtonisland northrock easternpomfred carchariastaurus schuettascalaripinnis predator teeth fierce dangerous nelsonbay portstephens letsgoadventures
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Overshadowed
As she cruised over my head the sun was eclipsed and the surrounding water came alive with thousands of mini silhouettes.
For a time she overshadowed them all with grace, girth and length before the sun reappeared and she was gone.
Yet another beautiful moment with a Broughton Island Grey Nurse shark.
Photo: Robert Rath, 'Overshadowed', 1/160s f/22 ISO160 15mm
... more at wetshutter.com
Tags: greynurse sharks ocean scuba diving broughtonisland northrock easternpomfred carchariastaurus schuettascalaripinnis predator silhouette eclipse dangerous nelsonbay portstephens letsgoadventures
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