Tiger Sharks and Great Hammerhead Expedition
January 27 - February 3, 2019 ( Trip # 2 )
We finished up our final tiger / hammerhead trip of the early winter season. This trip was plagued with windy days and swelly oceans. Like our previous week, we lost the first day to weather. Thankfully despite these windy days, we did manage to dive the rest of the week. At least in the mornings we did. Low tide was in the afternoons and the vis would drop to nothing, and because of the winds kicking up the sand, instead of our typical 4 dives a day, we averaged three dives a day. We made the most out of every dive and so did our tigers and our resident great hammerhead, Patches, she showed up everyday for us. Having a great hammerhead hanging around the rest of these sharks always makes for an insanely fun week. Here are a few images from this trip, we hope you enjoy.
The schooling jacks that hang around at Fish Tales is getting bigger and bigger each season and makes for amazing photo opportunities with the sharks and these fish. What is cool about this schooling behavior is watching these guys and their hierarchy. The larger fish are always in front and the smaller ones, make us the rear, which I am guessing makes them more vulnerable to attack from predators.
Part of what we do when people travel with us to Tiger Beach is teach them how to safely push away tiger sharks. We ask them to put a hand out and if you are approached, how to safely (both for you and the tiger shark), move the tiger away from you. Here Eglys, is making sure the tiger doesnt come towards her, lol, as it swims off. Allen is watching Patches swim by in the next picture.
Part of my job on this trip is working with the sharks. As one of the feeders on this trip, I am always meeting new tiger sharks like this young beauty, named Tiffany. She is extremely fiery and fun to dance with. When you have a new shark like this, it is important for the safety of everyone, including the; guests, feeders and especially the sharks, to get them used to interaction. If not the sharks come in and try to mouth everything they bump into. So we get them used to touch. Here Tiffany is learning how to react to touch. Images by Houston Brown.
FINALLY captured an image of a tiger, great hammerhead and bull shark in one frame. I have been after this shot for a long time. It is still not the shot I have in my mind’s eye, but I am getting closer.
A huge thanks go out to every one who joined us on this adventure. Looking forward to our next adventure my friends!