This spring has been filled with some fantastic diving. Besides diving and shooting video I have been busy with a north shore conservation group, working to help stop illegal fishing at sharks cove and continuing to work on the 3D map projects with the company in Canada. So in the meantime untill I get off my but and post again, here is a little video of some of the sights I am fortunate enough to get to see everyday!
As anyone who has tried underwater photography or videography can tell you, the best thing to do is the hardest thing to do...GET CLOSE to your subject! Easier said than done! Most fish will scoot when I get too close, this Amber Jack (Kahala) is one of those fish. Probably has something to do with the fact that they usually get shot with a spear.
This Kahala on this day was much more interested in whatever was hiding in the coral head than he was scared of me. The result is an unusual close up of one of the more elusive reef hunters in the water. I never did find out what it was after in that coral head, but it went right back after we swam off.
I cant tell you how long I have waited for the day to see and film a Humpback whale in the water. Today my wish came true.
We just disconnected from the mooring at the LCU when Capt Randy again spotted a whale about 200 yrds off the bow. With engines cut off, we drifted as the juvenile humpback whale just lingered at the surface. As if curious, the whale then slowly approached the boat. Lucky for me, we had drifted around so the stern was facing the whale. I quickly grabbed my camera and got on the swim step. Christie (Capt Bruce instructor) and I must have looked funny with our heads in the water but we were given a show of a lifetime. The whale made about 7 passes almost directly under the boat, like it was checking us out.
This video is just a portion of the 5-10 minutes total footage.
Please enjoy it and remember to respect all laws regarding protected species, as much as I wanted to, no body entered the water.
We guess, 20 -25 ft long and sex is unknown.
Special thanks to Capt Bruce's Scuba Charters, thats twice in a row for me and whales from "The Beach" Way to go Randy, you rock!
Aloha All,
3D dive site maps/slates for Hawaii are coming soon!!!
Some of you have heard me talk about these already, well now I have something to show!
These new logbook sized slates will be great for training, briefings, or just as a keepsake for your log book. (also will be available other sizes TBD)
The price is still being calculated, but it will be in the $15 ballpark range for the waterproof slates.
The final corrections are in process for the Corsair, San Pedro & YO-257. The Sea Tiger and Mahi are still in development (as seen in photo album)
Pupukea MLCD (Sharks cove), and sites on other islands are in the works too!
Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Mahalo
Drew Wheeler
click on image to view larger 
This Sunday, after 2 great dives on the west side, we were cruzin back the harbor when the Capt quickly cut the engines and announced "Breaching whale ahead!"
I was quick with the camera to catch a baby Humpback whale breach and fin slap about 75 yrds off the bow.
Just when we thought the show was over, the baby surfaced and swam right up to the boat and splashed a bit.
At that time the "Momma Humpback" must have decided that Jr. was too close to the boat for her comfort and proceeded to swim up from below and nose the baby away, and with a splash of the tail, the baby and mom were gone!
I got most of it on tape although some spots are shaky. You can see the shadow of the mom as she lifts up the baby right next to the boat.
The whale song was added to the music for your enjoyment
One of the great things about this job is, getting the opportunity to dive in the same area repeatedly over a period of years. As a videographer, and a marine life fanatic, I pay very close attention to the animals I see and the behavior they display. Through this I have learned a lot about marine life behavior such as butterfly fish stay with the same mate and live in the same area year after year. I have also learned that some green sea turtles are not as nice as we might think. The males seem to be more aggressive than the females, and the larger males will defend their sleeping spot from anything
One such turtle I have come to call "Grumpy" because he seems to bite anything he can get his mouth on. He lives around the area of the YO/San Pedro and Turtle Canyon although I have seen him on the Sea Tiger once before. I have witnessed him bite at other turtles, fish, divers, and now a video camera!
Here is a video from last week shot at Turtle Canyon.
For those of you who have never experienced a Kahuku New Year celebration, lets just say it's kinda nuts around here.
Here just a quick little movie from the moment the clock strikes twelve!
This was shot from our driveway and by the way, it was pouring rain at the time!!!
Here is a local big wave surfer, Garrett McNamara, in one of the toughest paddle outs I have ever seen at Waimea Bay. The waves were 35ft + and ugly.
Jan 13 2008
On a recent dive, I had wrangled a small octopus to show a client and wouldn't ya know it but the little guy crawled up my arm and on to my face. Now I have had larger octopus on my head and face before with no issue (see photo section). However on this particular day, this octopus was unable to find amusement by this and proceeded to let me know that he wanted no part of it and YES THEY CAN BITE!
Don't worry Nate, your Uncle Drew is fine and I blame myself more than the octopus! At least the Conger eel didn't have teeth. This guy has a sharp beak like a bird! OUCH!
I know I will probably hear an earful from the PETA extremist's, but I was doing no harm and was well aware of the risk, and as I like to say: Octopus = 1 ScubaDrew = 0
Make sure you turn up the volume.
Recent Comments