ScubaDrew's Waterblog

Baby whale want's to play

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

Old Grumpy is at it again!

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.

Almost forgot...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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!!!

This guy is crazy

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

Don't try this at home

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.

Some of the bigger things I have seen

To kick off the new year I thought I would show you all some of the larger creatures that we occasionally come across.
Maybe this year I can add some Humpback Whale footage...we'll just have to see!!!