Alabama Reefers underwater photo links

[gflat65]

Been thinking about something like this, anyway, so figured I'd get it going. I'm linking threads of photography in the Alabama Reefers forum (others certainly welcome, too). I'm going to try to stick to underwater shots, so post a thread if you have them. Let's see how much of the world we can illustrate.

One of mine-St. Maarten. This is the only one where I've taken any underwater...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1203502

stormscall's thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1570558

I'll hunt for more when the site slows down a little. Post em if you got em.

 

[stormscall]

 

[scubalauren]

Here are 3 of my favorite pics. We really need a strobe for our camera to see better color.

Charleston SC

Lion Fish have made their way up the coast to Charleston and they are eating everything!!!

Boca Raton, FL Great Mariner

 

[scapes]

did you "accidentally" kill the lionfish

nice pics!

 

[gflat65]

Nice shots. Keep them coming.

I've not seen any lions yet, but have read the articles. I hear clownfish are being spotted throughout the Caribbean, too(?).

 

[scubalauren]

No, I hate that Lion's are eating everything, but I can't even step on a bug with out feeling bad. Crazy, I know! Maybe they will let diver's spearfish for them soon. Or maybe you already can, but it seems I heard you're not suppose to kill them.

 

[stormscall]

No, I believe Scapes is correct. Because the Lion Fish is a non-native spieces and considered a nuisance, they are considered "open season" at all times. I could be wrong so don't quote me, but I think thats right.

On another note, I don't think spearfishers would bother with them though. They are not good to eat or any kind of challenge to shoot, so at that point killing them becomes a liability to the spearfisherman. Liability = blood in the water = Sharks.

 

[H@rry]

Seems like somebody else said they were delicious!

 

[scubalauren]

Boney, I would imagine. Maybe like a Barricoda with lots of spikes. I bet you would die if you ate one. Ha!

 

[gflat65]

Here are a few more links from vol_reefer up in ETRC (he's not Alabama, but I'm jones'n for a dive, but pic swill have to suffice for now...). I figured if I get permission from those posting underwater shots, we'l end up with a broad array of scenes.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1460849

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1325943&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[RUGDOG]

Hi, gflat or anyone else looking at this. I have been diving several times over the years. Aruba, bermuda, Maui. got to take my son on a dive the last time we went to Aruba. My question is I have been thinking about taking advantage of one of these cheap quick cruises out of New Orleans or Mobile and do a resort dive somewhere as well as a snorkel. Anybody done this and where? It seems to me that most of these go to Mexico?

 

[gflat65]

Depending on where you leave from, I've seen cruises from Mexico to St. Maarten (further on out). Leaving from the Gulf coast, you'd likely only be able to hit Mexico or closely surrounding areas. We've not taken any cruises yet, but when we went to Bonaire for our honeymoon, my wife did the resort course so she could get in the water (other than snorkeling). Fairly hefty price tag ($300-400 for the class). With only a resort course, most will charge you an additional fee per dive to have a dive master with you (or sometimes just a master diver). I think they limited her to 40 feet until she was certified. The extra cost per dive was ~$40. Worth it to us, though. You can apply the training from the resort course to full certification later on.

So far, St. Maarten is the best place we've been. Cozumel had a really nice dive (Palancar) that I'd love to do again. Towering rock structures 50-80 feet high, covered in coral and sitting on the sand bed just before the edge of the shelf. St. Maarten seemed to have more corals than any other place we've been (less species diversification, but more coral and seemingly a lot less algae).

Good luck with it. Let us know if you do one. We are looking for cheap options right now, too, just so we can get in the water.

 

[RUGDOG]

Yes they are all very different. Bermuda was extremely clear and very beautiful. The best time I have had was on my first trip to Aruba, We hired a local guy and dove 3 times one day and never got on a boat just walked out in the surf and out to the reef wall drops. Very awesome but the visibility wasnt so great that day. Maui was cool because of all the yellow tangs see turtles etc and visibility was pretty good there too. Cozumel sounds like one you might could hit on a cheap 3-4 night cruise out of gulf coast. Thanks for the tip

 

[stormscall]

Just thought I would let anyone that was interested know if your thinking about getting certified the dive shop in Decatur is having a heck of a deal if you register before April 30, 2009. You can take the class anytime, but you have to register before the end of April.

http://www.divesports.com/Open-Water-Diver-a/162.htm


Shawn

 

[DracoFalcon]

I just booked an 8 day vacation in Cancun including airfare from ATL for $871 for my wife and me. right now it's cheaper to fly than take a cruise.

 

[RUGDOG]

WOW! thanks for the info

 

[scubalauren]

FOR BOTH!!!!!!!??????

 

[H@rry]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14549509#post14549509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DracoFalcon
I just booked an 8 day vacation in Cancun including airfare from ATL for $871 for my wife and me. right now it's cheaper to fly than take a cruise.

You'd prolly spend that much going to the Gaylord Opryland in Nashvegas. My wife wanted to go for New Year's eve. I checked the price. Whew!! (We didn't go). One additional thing that discouraged me was the midnight riverboat cruise. Let me tell ya folks, one of the last places I want to be at midnight on Jan 1 is on a boat in the middle of the river!

 

[sculdermut]

Here are some shots from my trip to Ningaloo Reef on the western coast of Australia a year ago. We kayaked a mile out and then jumped out to snorkel. It was pretty incredible. These shots were taken by our Aussie tour guide. I also snorkeled on the great barrier reef, but I only had a junky disposable camera on that trip. I'll have to scan those.

 

[gflat65]

Nice shots.