A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Guide and Photographer… Why This Name Finally Feels Right.

Over the years, I’ve named and renamed this blog more times than I can count.

Each time, I was trying to capture what we do, the energy of the work, the magic of the wildlife, the grit of the journey. But nothing ever quite felt right. It just didn’t fully reflect who I am or what this life is actually like.

Until now.

I’ve finally landed on a name that feels good:
A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Guide and Photographer.

It fits, because that's truly what this blog and my YouTube channel have become, a window into what we do out there. Not just the epic moments with polar bears, orcas on the hunt, or dancing with sharks... but the full reality of our days in the field.

The early mornings.
The gear failures.
The missed sightings.
The quiet days where the ocean feels empty.
The magic we chase anyway.

If you’ve watched my YouTube videos, you already know they’re far from polished.

They’re raw, in-the-moment, and definitely flawed, but I love them that way. They’re honest. They share the heart and soul of what we experience out there.

Until now, I’ve mostly shared highlights, those big, cinematic moments when nature delivers something unforgettable. And don’t get me wrong, I’ll keep sharing those.

But I’ve been thinking…

Maybe it’s time to start sharing the lows, as well.

The days when nothing shows up.
The long waits.
The breakdowns.
The hours of effort that go into those brief flashes of beauty.

It might bore some people. But I think others might find it refreshing. Real. Even inspiring. Because that’s what these trips are actually like.

Wild places don’t follow scripts. And neither do we.

So, this name, “A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Guide and Photographer” is more than just a title. It’s a direction. For this blog. For our channel. For how I want to tell these stories.

Thanks for being here, and for following along on this wild ride.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.

Travel Day. Goodbye Baja… Sort of.

May 24 – Travel Day
I'm headed home! It’s wild how fast these past four weeks have flown by, packed with magic, incredible wildlife, wild weather, and unforgettable moments shared with amazing people. I feel so lucky and humbled that this is my job. That I get to introduce people to wildlife, help them along their photography journey, and tell stories through it all.

Now I’m sitting here thinking: what are they seeing out in Baja’s waters today?

Actually, never mind. I probably don’t want to know… FOMO is real.

I already miss Baja, but thankfully I’ll be back in just two weeks. This is a short break. Originally, I was supposed to head to Africa to swim with Nile crocodiles, but that trip has been postponed until later. More on that another time.

For now, I’m going to recharge with some much-needed family time, do laundry, get some fresh merchandise made (I’m out of ball caps and my SDM t-shirts are worn to death), and then head back to Baja, because I’ve got unfinished business.

Top of the list? Orcas hunting mobula rays. That’s the moment we’re after.

We did witness them kill and eat a mola mola, which was incredible to see. Felt bad for the mola—but that’s the circle of life.

In the ocean, something is always eating something else. Molas have to eat, and so do orcas.

I woke up at 5 a.m. today to drive two hours to the airport and drop off our trusty van, Beluga. She was good to us—reliable, sturdy, and part of the team.

I always feel a little guilty peeling off the Tibby sticker from her nose before returning her to the rental company. I know it sounds strange to get sentimental about a van, but I really believe things carry meaning. Maybe not a heartbeat like ours, but they have a kind of spirit, especially when they’ve carried you through an adventure.

During this short break, I’ll be editing a few YouTube videos, writing daily blogs, and sharing behind-the-lens stories from our time in Baja, including what it took to get specific shots.

Right now, I’m sitting in the Houston airport, waiting for one last flight home… and still wondering what they saw out there today in Baja.

Damn it. I really don’t want to know... but yeah, I do.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.

The Shot You’ll Never Get... And Why It Still Matters.

In wildlife photography, we’re taught to chase the shot, to anticipate, to prepare, to capture the moment when everything aligns.

But every once in a while, the moment comes… and the shot doesn’t.

And that’s okay.

Image by Ines Goovaerts

I’ve missed more shots than I’ve taken. I’ve been in the perfect position to take the picture when the animal moves into perfect light, while I was still fumbling with my settings, and I didn’t get the shot.

Some of those missed shots still sting… probably always will.

But others have become the ones I cherish most.

Because being there, fully there, was more powerful than any photo I could have taken.

There’s a kind of magic in the moment that doesn’t let itself be captured.

You experience it with your whole body: the light, the movement, the presence of something wild that is also curious about you. And when you lift your camera and miss the focus, or the animal moves away, or the settings are wrong, it doesn’t erase the magic.

It just reminds you… you’re not in control.

That’s the truth of this work. We can train, study behavior, know our gear, scout the light—but in the end, nature decides.

And that’s what makes the shot, when it comes, so meaningful.

Because the ones you don’t get?
They shape you.
They sharpen your eye.
They teach you what the camera can’t.

Sometimes, those moments, the ones no one else sees, the ones only you were present for, become the ones that stay with you the longest.

And maybe that’s the real image you came for.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.

Where the Magic Lives

Tonight, I was in Baja having dinner with my guests. We were walking into the restaurant when I overheard Mike, one of our guests, talking about how he hurt his knee while falling at an active volcano.

What made me laugh wasn’t the story… it was how normal the conversation sounded.

In our world, talking about photographing an active volcano, diving with crocodiles, or photographing polar bears is just part of life.

These aren’t once-in-a-lifetime experiences, they’re Tuesday night conversation over dinner.

The people in this little circle we move through... they’re all the same, yet so incredibly different.

We come from completely different walks of life, different countries, careers, cultures, but here, in this space we share, we’re all kindred spirits.

And it shows.

We talk about the animals we want to see next, the places we’ve been, and the ones still calling to us. We laugh about cold-water dives, close passes, gear failures, and surprise encounters with wild things.

It doesn’t sound exotic. It doesn’t sound special. It just sounds like us, going through the motions of being who we are... or maybe who we were born to be.

It’s in those little moments—over beers, under stars, or walking into a Baja restaurant, that I realize just how rare this tribe is.

We don’t all look the same.

We don’t all talk the same.

But we all know where the magic is.

 And we all want to stay there as long as we possibly can.

📸 Gloria – A Love Letter to My Underwater Housing

Image by Brad Roaman

I’ve never written about a camera system before—but Gloria deserves her moment.

For nearly 10 years, Gloria, my Aquatica housing for the Canon 5D Mark IV, has been right by my side.

From the Arctic seas to the warm rivers of Brazil, she has traveled the world with me. She's been the one constant in my journey as an underwater photographer.

*I’m not sponsored by Aquatica. This isn’t a sales pitch or a review—it’s just a thank you.

It’s a love letter to a piece of gear that has never let me down.

Image by Brad Roaman

Gloria has been dropped, dragged through the sand, banged around in pangas, and tossed into rinse buckets more times than I can count. But no matter where I’ve taken her, she’s held up.

She’s compact, tough, and reliable, and she’s done everything I’ve ever asked of her. From zero-visibility dives in the Amazon to crystal-clear encounters with orcas in Baja—Gloria has delivered.

Thanks to this housing, I’ve been able to grow and evolve as a photographer. Every shark pass, every dolphin glide, every rare wildlife moment captured underwater—Gloria helped make it happen.

That One Time She “Failed” Me (And Saved Me)

There’s only been one moment when Gloria didn’t respond.

I was at 150 feet—far deeper than I should have been. A couple dolphins had been hovering in front of me at 90 feet and were sinking slowly. I sank with them, caught in the moment. I think they did that on purpose.

Suddenly, my camera stopped working. I quickly tried to troubleshoot it, checking buttons and switches, but nothing was responding. In that moment of confusion, I looked at my depth gauge—and realized just how deep we had gone.

That brief equipment failure snapped me out of the moment. I ascended and regrouped. Looking back, I think Gloria was trying to tell me, “We’re not supposed to be here.”

So nope… she didn’t fail me. She helped keep me safe.

Image by Rodrigo Friscione

MY DOME PORT

Glass dome ports are beautiful—no doubt about it. They are the best way to photograph underwater. But I’ve always used acrylic. And here’s why:

Acrylic is forgiving. We live hard on our gear. From sandy beaches to rough boat rides to fast gear swaps in bad weather, things get banged up. If you scratch a glass dome, it’s game over. But acrylic? It is so forgiving.

I keep a bottle of Novus Fine Scratch Remover in my gear bag at all times. With a little care, I’ve been able to keep my dome port mostly scratch-free—even after all these years. And that’s saying something.

No, it’s not perfect. But it's good enough to keep shooting. And that’s what matters.

Underwater photography is demanding. The moments are fleeting. The conditions are brutal. But Gloria, has never let me down.

She’s helped me tell stories, capture dreams, and build a career I’m proud of.

So here’s to my girl.
To those perfect moments.
The wild places.
The calm water and the chaos.
To the images.
The close calls, and the quiet reliability.

Thank you, Gloria. You’ve been more than just a housing... You’ve been a partner.

What’s in My Bag: Gear I Trust and Recommend

Over the years, I’ve built a kit that works for me in real-world conditions.
Here are the essentials I always carry:

  • Aquatica Housing for Canon 5D Mark IV – My workhorse. Rugged, compact, and reliable.

  • Novus Fine Scratch Remover – Essential for acrylic dome maintenance.

  • Acrylic Dome Port – Not flashy, but field-tested and field-repairable.

  • Portable Handheld Comprerssed Airduster – Discovered thanks to my friend Brad. This thing removes water from buttons and seams so I can change batteries and cards between dives without risking leaks.

  • Lint-Free Cloths & Microfiber Towels – A single piece of lint inside your dome port can ruin a shoot. These help me avoid that nightmare.

*These aren’t “sponsored” items. They’re just the tools I rely on—gear that has helped me get the shot and stay in the water for over a decade.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.

🐘 Noah... The First Conservationist?

Long before the word “conservation” existed, there was a story about a man who received a warning—whether from God, a dream, or something deeper— his very first instinct wasn’t to save gold, or power, or even people.

It was to save animals.

As a kid, that story meant something to me.
In Sunday school, I didn’t care about the rest of the stories, I just wanted to hear about the ark. About the animals. About the idea that someone would do everything they could to make sure no creature was left behind.

It was the only thing I wanted to talk about or learn about.

The story of Noah’s Ark is ancient—older than many of us realize, and echoed across cultures in flood myths from Mesopotamia to Mesoamerica.

But take away the religious framing, and what you’re left with is something even more profound:

a story of one man’s vision to protect life in its most vulnerable and voiceless form.

Imagine being told the world was about to be destroyed.

Noah had a vision so vivid it shook his soul.

Whether you call that divine guidance, a psychedelic experience, or a moment of deep inner knowing… the point is, he believed it.

And what did he do with that belief?

He built an ark.

But not to save a civilization. Not to preserve human culture.
He built it to save wildlife. Every species he could get his hands on. The crawling. The flying. The growling.

Authorities capture and tag polar bears that come too close to the town of Churchill. The bears are safely relocated far away from people.

What hits me most is that Noah’s story, at its core, is about recognizing the value of animal life when everything else is collapsing.

That resonates deeply today. We’re facing our own slow flood—climate change, habitat loss, mass extinction—and still, too often, the animals are last in line. Treated as background. As scenery. As expendable.

Noah didn’t see them that way, and neither do I.

Tracking endangered porbeagle sharks in the Bay of Fundy, Canada.

Whether that story is myth or memory, it tells us something powerful.

That saving the wild isn't just practical. It’s instinctual. It’s moral. It’s deeply human.

And maybe that’s the message.

You don’t need to save everything to make a difference.
You just need to act. To care. To respond to what the world is showing you.

Maybe, in a strange way, every time we choose to protect a species, or defend a habitat, or give a voice to the voiceless, we’re building a small ark of our own.

Dehorning rhinos to save them from poachers.

So here’s to the modern conservationists.

To the ones fighting poachers in Africa, to the ones tracking sharks in the Bahamas, to the photographers reminding everyone that we still have wild places left that are worth protecting.

Thank you for being a soldier in Noah’s army.

Please continue telling stories that might just move someone to act.

Whether your “vision” comes in the form of a dream, a documentary, or a dive—you’re answering the same call… The wild is worth saving.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.

🤖 Meet Our New Chatbot – Your Personal Wildlife Trip Assistant

Couldn’t resist… Giving you guys a visual. lol

We’re always looking for ways to make your experience smoother, faster, and more personal — and we just added a new tool to help with that.

Say hello to our new website chatbot, now live on SDM Adventures.

Whether you're curious about how our trips work, what’s included, or which expeditions still have space, the chatbot is here to help 24/7. It’s not a robot trying to replace human connection — it’s here to make your life easier. Fast answers to common questions. Help navigating the site. A friendly starting point when inspiration strikes at 2 a.m.

What Can It Help You With?

🟢 Trip Info
Get details about our Baja orca trips, Dominica sperm whales, anaconda diving, jaguar safaris, polar bears, and more — instantly.

🟢 Availability & Booking
Ask what’s sold out, what still has room, and how to reserve your spot.

🟢 Getting Started
Not sure where to begin? The chatbot can help point you toward the right adventure based on your interests.

🟢 FAQ Support
From travel logistics to hotel questions, packing tips to cancellation policies — it’s all built into the bot.

Why We Built It

Because not everyone wants to send an email or wait for a reply. Sometimes you just want a quick answer so you can get back to dreaming about swimming with whale sharks or photographing jaguars.

The chatbot doesn’t replace us… it just gives you a fast way to connect.

Of course, if you ever want to talk to someone, we are always just an email or a phone call away.

Sometimes we will also pop onto the Chatbot to chat with you as well.

Give It a Try

You’ll find it floating on the lower right of the website. Ask it anything abiout any of our trips — and let me know what you think.

We’re constantly improving it based on your feedback.

Here’s to making your next wildlife adventure even easier to plan.

See you out there,
Eli

Wetsuit or Rashguard? Choosing the Right Gear for Warm Water Wildlife Adventures

One of the most common questions we get before any of our warm water trips is, “What should I wear in the water?”
Full wetsuit? Shorty? Rashguard and board shorts?

The short answer: It depends on you and your ability to handle the elements.
A longer answer: Let’s break down the real pros and cons.

Rash guard and board shorts with this friendly pod of sperm whales off Dominica.

Rashguard and Board Shorts: The Freedom Option

There’s no denying it—nothing feels better than diving in boardies and a rashguard when the water is warm.

That is my personal choice of diving gear, 80% of my time in the ocean.

You’re free. Unrestricted. No heavy neoprene pinching your neck or squeezing your chest.

You move through the water naturally. You dry off faster. You feel more connected to the ocean.

But it comes with limitations:

“I personally do not like full wetsuits. But I respect the ocean enough to know when it’s smart to cover up.”

  • Exposure: The sun will roast you faster than you realize.

  • Scrapes and Stings: Jellyfish, floating debris, jellyfish, and even incidental contact with wildlife can and does leave a mark. Oh and did I mention jellyfish???

  • No Thermal Buffer: Even in 78°F water, after hours floating or motoring between drops, the chill can creep in—and it gets worse if clouds block out the sun.

Best for:

  • Short sessions and warm water locations.

  • Midday sun.

  • Quick drops (like orca encounters)

Diver with curious blue shark off Cabo.

Full Wetsuit: The Protected Option

A full wetsuit is armor.
It protects against sunburn, jellyfish, reef scrapes, and gives you some insulation on long days out on the water.

But there are trade-offs:

  • Restricted movement: You’re bulkier, stiffer, and less agile.

  • Overheating: Especially while sitting on the boat between dives.

  • Increased Buoyancy: Neoprene floats—which means you'll work harder to stay down while snorkeling or free diving. So you will need dive weights to help you counteract the wetsuit’s buoyancy—even a thin 3mm suit makes a noticeable difference.

Freezing my ass off between dives. Catalina Island. 2006.


However never forget… the ocean can be unforgiving.

No matter how warm the water feels, the open ocean can chill you quickly—especially when clouds block out the sun.

And whether you’re in a wetsuit or board shorts—always bring a boat jacket. You’ll never regret having it, but you’ll definitely regret not having it when you need it most.

Shark Diving Reality Check

When it comes to shark dives, full coverage isn't just about staying warm—it’s about staying safe.
While I usually wear rashguards and board shorts for dolphin and whale encounters in warm water, when I dive with pelagic sharks, like makos and blue, I always wear a full wetsuit.

Diver and curious blue shark

Here’s why:
 Exposed arms and legs are at greater risk during a shark dive.

Sharks are curious, and an unseen one can glide in closer than you realize.

A full wetsuit protects your skin and reduces the risk of a bump turning into a bite on your soft fleshy parts.

Best for:

  • Extended in-water time (multiple hours)

  • Cooler early mornings, and cloudy days.

  • Sharks and marlin baitball diving.

Shorty Wetsuit are The Middle Ground

Think of a shorty wetsuit as the best of both worlds—some protection, more freedom.

It covers your core and gives your arms and legs more mobility.

You won't overheat as easily, and you will stay a little bit warmer while in the ocean for an extended period.

Downsides:

  • Limited full-body sun protection.

  • Legs and arms exposed for jellyfish or debris bumps.

  • Some added buoyancy, but less than a full suit.

Diver wearing a 1mm dive skin while snapping images of Gambit the crocodile off Banco Chinchorro.

So... What Do I Wear?

If you ask me:

  • Freedom wins when it can. Rashguard and boardies when the action is hot and fast-moving.

  • Protection wins when it must. Wetsuits when you’re logging serious hours or facing unpredictable conditions.

The ocean doesn’t care how comfortable you are—it tests you, humbles you, and rewards those who come prepared.

Prepare for it. Respect it. Adapt to it.

Embrace the unknown… and we’ll see you out in the wild.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.

🦈 What It’s Really Like Swimming with Tiger Sharks

People often imagine that swimming with tiger sharks is a heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled rush, like stepping into a scene from a thriller movie.

But the truth? It’s not about chasing danger or proving bravery, it’s about respect, awareness, and understanding the rules of sharing water with a true apex predator.

If you understand the rules, they are very safe to swim with.

When you're in the water with a big predator like a tiger shark, respect, and awareness, are everything.

Tiger sharks are ambush predators by nature. Curious, confident, and sometimes mischivious, and they always deserve your full attention.

That’s why two golden rules apply:

1. Never Take Your Eyes Off Them

They know when you’re not looking. If you lose focus, they may test you by sneaking up behind you. Your job is to keep calm, stay alert, and they’ll typically swim away once they know you’re watching.

2. Always Maintain a Safety Bubble

A tiger shark should never be allowed to bump into you. That curious nudge can quickly go bad, what starts as exploratory bump can turn into a bite if boundaries aren’t set.

Use your presence, awareness, and, if needed, a gentle redirection to maintain that safe space.

If a shark does get too close, here’s where technique comes in:

How to Safely Push a Tiger Shark Away

If necessary, you never push a tiger shark by grabbing it’s nose or the underside of the head.
Instead, lay your palm flat on top of its head and gently guide it away.

Why should you not grab their face?

Because under their snouts are highly sensitive pores called the Ampullae of Lorenzini, tiny receptors that detect electrical signals.

Touching that area can overstimulate them, causing a shark to reflexively open its mouth wide.

And if you don’t know what you’re doing, things can go wrong fast.

It’s the small details like this that separate a safe, awe-inspiring encounter from a risky one.

Diving with big sharks like tiger sharks isn’t about being fearless, it’s about respecting the animals, and understanding their behavior.

After 20+ years of diving with tiger sharks, I can tell you this:

If you follow these guideline, you’ll walk away with one of the most humbling, beautiful and unforgettable experiences of your life.

There’s a high you get that comes from swimming with tiger sharks that’s hard to put into words.

It’s not the kind of high that comes from adrenaline, it’s deeper than that. It’s the magic you feel when a 12-foot predator swims past you, just feet away, looking at you when it passes.

It’s the raw, almost spiritual feeling of being accepted, even if just for a moment, into their world.

You don’t forget those encounters. They leave you buzzing for days. They humble you, reshape you.

Leaving you changed forever.

💡 Want to Experience This for Yourself?

Join us on one of our upcoming expeditions to Tiger Beach and Bimini for safe, unforgettable encounters with tiger sharks and great hammerheads.

👉 View Trip Details & Availability Here

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.

Wake Up Before Life Passes You By

A reflection on fear, routine, and choosing the wild road.

A few months ago in Brazil, I met a 60-year-old man who lives along the Amazon River. As we chatted, I showed him a video of me playing with a shark. He watched it wide-eyed, completely transfixed, and then turned to me and asked with genuine curiosity, “What kind of fish is that?”

I told him it was a tiger shark.
He’d never seen one before.

Years ago, a younger version of me might’ve found that sad. How could someone live their entire life and never know the wonders of what’s out there?

But now, I think a little differently.

If that man is happy and content in his snow globe, then maybe there’s nothing tragic about it at all. He’s living his life, on his terms. And there’s a kind of perfect peace in that.

But…

If you're filled with wonderlust—if your soul itches for more—then no, that kind of life won’t do.

It’s funny—or maybe sad—how many people move through life on autopilot.
Wake up. Go to work. Feed the kids. Walk the dog. Eat. Sleep.
Day after day. Over and over.

And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. I do those things too.
But if you’re reading this, I’m guessing that’s not all of you.
That’s just one part.

Because if you’ve found your way here, then something inside you is probably craving more.
More wonder. More adventure.
More moments that leave you changed.

Maybe it’s the ocean that calls you.
Maybe it’s the thrill of being around wildlife.
Or maybe it’s simply being somewhere new—heart pounding, senses wide open.

That’s what I write about.
That’s what I live for.

Bilbo Baggins running through the Shire, yelling out… “I am going on an adventure!” has always given me goosebumps. From the book ‘The Hobbit.’

So here’s the question that’s been sitting with me for years:
How many people live out their lives quietly wishing they were doing something else?

Or wishing they were somewhere else?

I’d bet the number is high.

And it leaves me asking:
Why do we cling to routine like a life raft?
Why are we afraid to step out the door unless we’re certain of the way back?
Why does “safe” always win over “bold”?

Here’s one answer I’ve come to understand:
Our brains are wired to protect us.
It’s an ancient thing—a leftover from the days when our ancestors needed to avoid danger to survive. That wiring is still with us.

It tells us to stay comfortable, to avoid risk, to fear the unknown. And while that instinct might have kept early humans alive, it can also hold us back from the very things that make us feel alive today.

We often have to fight through those negative thoughts just to try something new.

But when we do—when we push past that internal resistance—the reward is powerful.
The clarity. The breath. The feeling in your chest like the world just opened up.

That’s the good stuff… and that’s why I keep chasing it.

Because here’s the truth:
Life won’t wait for your “one day I’m gonna…”

So if you’re reading this and you’ve been wishing and daydreaming your way through the weeks, hoping for the “right time” to do that thing, take that trip, or become who you know you really are…

This is your wake-up call.

There’s a wild world out there. Full of beauty. Full of risk. Full of stories waiting to be lived.

And it’s calling your name.

Thank you for reading our Blog.

*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week. (sometimes more.)
Follow along for fresh stories, trip updates, and raw moments from the wild.