Sweet memories of Doodles
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Turtle mania!
I guess each of us has a soft spot, something that gets him going, pumps the adrenaline, makes one feel good. That experience for me (as most my friends know well) is seeing and spending time with a turtle, underwater . Turtles are graceful, lovable, beautiful creatures that make great photo subjects. Over the years I can truly say they have been my number one target, difficult to find, unpredictable but always fun, if they will let you come close. Sadly turtle meat is still on the menu in some countries and many, many of them get stranded in shark and fish nets worldwide. They get killed of indiscriminately and for mo good reason. Man has become their mortal enemy.
There are about 5 main types of turtle (hawksbill, loggerhead, green, leatherback, Ridley) and they can (hopefully) still be found on coral reefs near you. Turtles have a very long live span (sixty plus) if they manage to survive the modern mantraps. They continue to make a positive contribution to the ecosystem and we need them to feel good about ourselves. Most turtles start life from a deserted beach where their mother nested and was also born. A typical nesting will hatch around two hundred eggs. The mother arrived there x weeks before and laid the eggs on the beach about 500mm below the surface in a hole above the high water mark which the mother made and after laying the eggs covered up the nest to protect against scavengers. A few weeks later the eggs hatch and the small turtles make their way to the surface to start their lives. Many will not make it but hopefully most will. They have to face many predators along the way. On land they face crabs and birds and in the water sharks and others are only to eager to grab this tasty morsel. The mother probably made several nests, laid lots of eggs to ensure survival of the species. Worldwide such secluded beaches are getting fewer. A few weeks ago I was privileged to spend the weekend on Bird Island, Seychelles, home of the brown Noddy and many other terns and tropical birds.
It was nesting season for the hawksbill and green turtles. When we were there a total of 250 hawksbill and 30 green turtles and had nested already. Clearly it was a concern that there was such a low number of green turtles, equally was 250 enough for the small hawksbill? We were fortunate to witness the nesting of one hawksbill during day time. The local conservationists collected the eggs after a few weeks and allow the turtles to hatch in a protected environment to avoid some hungry lucky land crab along the way. It was therefore a regular nightly occurrence to release a batch of hatchlings under “controlled conditions” to ensure the maximum number reach the relative safety of the ocean. We wished them a very good voyage.
The nesting we witnessed was quite dramatic. Although Bird Island is very remote with limited humans there always is some activity during on the beach. This activity may deter a nesting from happening despite nature’s call. A female turtle ready to nest will check out the beach for a clear patch and start his crawl up the beach. If disturbed before digging the hole, she will dart back for safety. We were called and found the tracks of such an attempt but ware told to hang around as she would return in the vicinity. Within 30 minutes we were called and within 300 metres she was digging a hole! We kept a safe distance but as soon as she started laying we were allowed closer and even the nest was opened up where we witnessed the actual laying. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes where after she safely returned to the nest and we made sure the nest was as well protected as possible.
This wonderful event made me realize how fortunate I am when I encounter one of the fully grown specimen of any of the species. Please help all to take turtle off the menu!
Turtles to me remain a wonderful experience as seen below.
There are about 5 main types of turtle (hawksbill, loggerhead, green, leatherback, Ridley) and they can (hopefully) still be found on coral reefs near you. Turtles have a very long live span (sixty plus) if they manage to survive the modern mantraps. They continue to make a positive contribution to the ecosystem and we need them to feel good about ourselves. Most turtles start life from a deserted beach where their mother nested and was also born. A typical nesting will hatch around two hundred eggs. The mother arrived there x weeks before and laid the eggs on the beach about 500mm below the surface in a hole above the high water mark which the mother made and after laying the eggs covered up the nest to protect against scavengers. A few weeks later the eggs hatch and the small turtles make their way to the surface to start their lives. Many will not make it but hopefully most will. They have to face many predators along the way. On land they face crabs and birds and in the water sharks and others are only to eager to grab this tasty morsel. The mother probably made several nests, laid lots of eggs to ensure survival of the species. Worldwide such secluded beaches are getting fewer. A few weeks ago I was privileged to spend the weekend on Bird Island, Seychelles, home of the brown Noddy and many other terns and tropical birds.
It was nesting season for the hawksbill and green turtles. When we were there a total of 250 hawksbill and 30 green turtles and had nested already. Clearly it was a concern that there was such a low number of green turtles, equally was 250 enough for the small hawksbill? We were fortunate to witness the nesting of one hawksbill during day time. The local conservationists collected the eggs after a few weeks and allow the turtles to hatch in a protected environment to avoid some hungry lucky land crab along the way. It was therefore a regular nightly occurrence to release a batch of hatchlings under “controlled conditions” to ensure the maximum number reach the relative safety of the ocean. We wished them a very good voyage.
The nesting we witnessed was quite dramatic. Although Bird Island is very remote with limited humans there always is some activity during on the beach. This activity may deter a nesting from happening despite nature’s call. A female turtle ready to nest will check out the beach for a clear patch and start his crawl up the beach. If disturbed before digging the hole, she will dart back for safety. We were called and found the tracks of such an attempt but ware told to hang around as she would return in the vicinity. Within 30 minutes we were called and within 300 metres she was digging a hole! We kept a safe distance but as soon as she started laying we were allowed closer and even the nest was opened up where we witnessed the actual laying. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes where after she safely returned to the nest and we made sure the nest was as well protected as possible.
This wonderful event made me realize how fortunate I am when I encounter one of the fully grown specimen of any of the species. Please help all to take turtle off the menu!
Turtles to me remain a wonderful experience as seen below.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Motswari
We recently visited the famed Timbavati region next to the Kruger National Park.Today fences have been been dropped and game migrate seamlessly over an enlarged park.This brings many obvious benefits. We enjoyed our stay in Motswari, in a self catering unit. For me personally Game always came a close second to Ocean but with my enforced timeout due to my recent (successful) hip replacement, plumbing for a bout in the bush in stead of some underwater diving was a "no brainer".
Game viewing varied at Motswari mainly due to very good water resource and there is really something for everyone and we saw everything except cheetah! as is evident from the collage. We say the Big Five, all of the endemic antelope, hippo, croc, hyena, giraffe, warthog and wildebeest. Antelope included kudu, impala, zebra, waterbuck, steenbok, nyala and grysbok. We saw some rare other sitings: porcupine, honey badger, wild dog, the famed white lions of the Timbavati and many interesting birds. We saw many water birds including interesting water birds and raptors. Some of the raptors we saw include, Wahlberg eagle, fish eagle, brown snake eagle, tawny eagle, gynogene, dark chnating goshawk and many more.
The accommodation at Motswari was excellent inclusive of swimming pool. We were five couples and each couple had a catering day,breakfast and dinner. Game drives were long and trackers took us right up close to the animals that made for quality photography. We also enjoyed some great sunsets during our mandatory breaks. The six days breezed bye and as always the peaceful tranquility of the bush was a wonderful stress reliever.
In the meantime I am counting the days till December when I will venture underwater again, hopefully at my beloved Johnnies! Until next time
Eden views
Enjoy this video of the Seychelles!
It captures some of the innate beauty and charm. A picture tells a thousand words.Eat your hearts out.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Wheel Turns.....
How funny life is. So everyone by now knows that I had a blow-out at the Shootout. Fortunately life finds other ways to pat us on the back and keep us going. Guess what. Check this out! And the Winner is.....
http://www.africaphotographicawards.com/picsites/PHP/odac_hs.mp?sth=8
A couple of years ago I had an awesome experience at Doodles. We were at Ponta on a company breakout weekend and I was mostly busy helping new divers. The last day I decided to do some shooting as the conditions were good and everyone was by now cool underwater. We went down to the little Ponta house reef. We had seen a turtle there on previous dives. Now everyone that knows me will tell you, "Clive loves turtles!'. So there I was shooting the large snapper school when this fellow approached and approached, right through the school of blue banded snapper and right onto my lens. I could not miss :"Sit and shoot" "Do not forget press the button Clive!"
I only looked at the shots when I downloaded back home and suddenly I felt quite good, some nice shots were taken, I showed the shots around [ my peers were lukewarm...]and had a mixed results. Dave at College of Digital Photography liked the one shot and it landed on their web site [for a while], so it gave me some confidence with that shot. I liked it and it has in fact featured on my Face Book page. Earlier this year I was desperately looking around for shots that made the Africa Photographic award cut-off. I took "that" shot and a few others and forgot about it. All the other entries made Round One, then failed Round Two, except for "Doodles". "Doodles" kept going through .......and then it went silent. On 10 August I got three emails,,, people at the competition were definitely and desperately looking for me. Then someone phones and told me I am one of the FINALISTS and will I not attend the award function. Of course I will, what a question!.
Quite chuffed I called my friend Chris. (Wife Sue away at the moment..)..Arrange that we meet up and go and see what was up at Monte Casino on the 12th, at the Ball Room nogal. They said it was to be formal, but sadly my tux is a few sizes too old so I settle for a black suit and hope for the best.
Got there and my name is not on the list. "Confidently" I tell Chris that I spoke to them and it must and can only be a mistake. Was that turn in my stomach some butterflies,,,, Some well known and published photographers check in, Their names are on the list, I am now very certain that they only wanted people to pay and come to the ceremony. Chris and I have a second drink and pass on the canapés. I think I am nervous. I gatecrash the briefing ceremony. Fortunately they do not check names again. I go and sit and there is one more finalist sitting next to me in our category. We speak a few hollow words. Our section is before the interval.
The ceremony starts. They have some pretty girls singing, a comedian is master of awards and Kingsley Holgate delivers a great "United against Malaria" speech. Does everyone know he has had malaria more than 50 times! I am definitely going to switch from Jack to Captain. It must the Captain that keeps him alive on his fabulous journeys through Africa. Obviously best to drink safely under a net!
They start handing out prizes. The pictures are fabulous. What the heck am I doing here? Friend Chris must think I am balmy! The last category before the interval: Aquatic Wildlife. They call my name as well as others. I shake hands with one of the other finalists who did not sit with us (I actually know someone!) as I walk sheepishly to the stage. We smile as the funny man (He surely is making another joke) announce: And the Winner is.....I cannot believe it, "They call my name", applause and more photo's. I am by now walking on air as I get showered with good and best wishes.
I have learnt some lessons from this escapade: (On reflection and looking back makes for wiser words)
- Always give yourself a chance;
- Never give up;
- Always come back from disaster (as quickly as possible);
- You do not have to shoot a whale shark to win;
- Trust your gut;
Enjoy, one for the memory bank! I am now planning a trip to Kenya. Eat your heart out! Thank You Doodles!
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