Hi there, FINALLY an update to my blog.  Been pretty lazy with it but I shall get back to the monthly updates!  

There has been a lot going on during the past year - exhibitions, a trip to Europe, Covid, a road trip to dive Cabo Cabron and a wonderful experience with a Lionfish!  Well, sort of wonderful!

SILENTLY 7

"Silently" is a yearly underwater photo exhibition and contest that takes place in Belgrade Serbia.  They invite photographers and videographers both local and from across the globe, and I have been honored to be invited for the past 3 years.  Unfortunately, due to covid, the exhibition will not be held in 2020.

I was honored to be awarded second place in the category of "Ambiance - Color" for my capture of a small tube worm.  The worm in  the photo on the front page is about 2 inches across the fan and they are extremely shy creatures that retreat into the tube when anything seems to get close.  The approach must be very slow but the results are well worth taking the time.

I also received a fifth place award for my photo of a Goldentail Moray in the category of "Fish - B&W".  This photo was all about strobe positioning to create the effect! 

Best of all - very proud to have been awarded the "Crystal Opus" - second place overall for my portfolio.  

COVID

Well, we all know about this one.  Covid 19 hit the world hard.  Shutdowns, quarantines, curfews and more.  Unable to dive for 3 months due to the restrictions.  Once these were relaxed somewhat, our world has changed in many ways.  Had a couple of dive trips planned but oh well, travel is not so easy anymore!  I feel for all the business that has been affected.  On a good note - we are back in the water diving again.

On a great note - had the chance to walk around Sosua and get photos of the amazing new murals that are decorating our town.  You can check out the photos in the "MORE" tab on my page!  

DIVING

We were lucky to be blessed with 100 foot visibility here during the summer months.  The seas were generally calm and allowed great opportunity for practicing taking photos.  Really started to play around with different strobe positions and lighting techniques.  LONG way to go but it's a lot of fun.  There is a great book by Alex Mustard, "Underwater Photographer Masterclass" that has become my "bible".  For any of my photography friends, check it out.  

Snuck in a quick trip Las Terrenas on the Samana Peninsula here in the Dominican Republic.  Paul Williamson from The Dive Academy invited me up for a weekend with the people from Bonassi Dive Gear to dive the walls of Cabo Cabron, one of the protected National Parks.  Paul has an excellent operation in Las Terrenas and the dive boat, the food, and the hospitality was second to none.  The diving - WOW!  We were lucky enough to have 150 foot visibility or more and  these are among the best, if not the best, wall dives I have ever done.  Corals and sponges everywhere.  Thanks for a very memorable trip and hey - I'll be back!

The diving here in Sosua has really been great.  The team from Divecenter Merlin run an excellent operation and we have had the chance to explore new areas, visit established dive sites and find some very interesting things during our dives.  The best part - the great friends we make with all the clients.  Thanks for your support

LIONFISH - OUCH these guys HURT!

Lionfish are native to coral reefs in the tropical waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. But you don't have to travel halfway around the world to see them. This is an invasive species that threatens the well-being of coral reefs and other marine ecosystems, including the commercially and recreationally important fishes that depend on them. NOAA and its partners are working hard to develop ways to prevent further spread and control existing populations.  Click the link below to read more about these fish.

Impacts of Invasive Lionfish | NOAA Fisheries


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This is the ONLY species of marine life that we spear or disturb.  

The lionfish looks beautiful but has 18 venomous spines that inflict a very painful sting!  A lionfish sting involving multiple spines increases the risk of infection and body-wide symptoms such as changes in heart rate, abdominal pain, sweating, and fainting. Deaths from lionfish stings are rare. Symptoms can last anywhere from 8 hours to 30 days depending on the severity of the sting.

Well, I got stung and yep, it is VERY painful!  4 days later and I can still feel the injury in my finger!  All good though, no worries.  LOL, it will likely happen again!  A very memorable dive number 3500.
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Well, it's time to head to the ocean this morning for a couple of dives.  Just taking a small video camera with me today.  the good camera is soaking for it's weekly clean!

Thanks for reading this, please help take care of our environment, and stay safe

Bill

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Good morning,

The Mariposa Foundation is a non-profit organization here in the Dominican republic that works with girls here to "Educate, Empower, Employ".  "At Mariposa, we know that to invest in the education, health and empowerment of a girl is to invest in the mother of a future generation. If we provide the tools, she will do the rest-- she will marry later, have fewer, healthier children, earn her own, steady income and then reinvest 90% of her earnings back into her family and community. If you want to end poverty and help the developing world, the best thing you can do is invest time, energy, and funding into adolescent girls."

Currently they are collaborating with UCW providing a "short course" focusing on "Sustainability as Social Justice" here in the Dominican republic.  There are 21 young women from 10 countries across the globe participating.

I was honored to be asked to speak one evening about our eco-sytem and our oceans.  We discussed life in the oceans, the threats and the actions we can take to start to make a change.  It was amazing - these young women were truly engaged, and asked question after question!  GREAT people and a great outlook for the future.

On a side note, the two young ladies representing the Dominican Republic have both received "full-ride" scholorships at major US universites.  One to study International Relations and the other to study Business management.

A few days after the lecture, we were able to organize a group activity with the help of artist Teddy Tejeda.  Teddy is a local artist and considered one of the most influencial contemporary artists in the country.  His works hang in the National Gallery in Santo Domingo.

We organized a beach clean-up on a smalll beach and then created works of art from the refuse.  In the true spirit of conservation, the artworks, now hanging in the Mariposa Center, show that we CAN re-use and re-invent.  What was one persons garbage, became a tool for another to create a work of art that illustrates what we are doing to the planet and at the same time shows how we can change things.

This was an excellent experience not only for the participants but also for me!  There look very positive things for the future thanks to organizations like Mariposa and UWC.

Have a great week!

Bill

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WOW - seeing some great things going on here in Sosua!

There are numerous murals being done around our city to help beautify it, a campaign has started to reduce the garbage and some excellent new changes on our beach!

There is now a properly roped off swimming area, a confined area to be used for swimming or scuba diving lessons and a limited area for the boats to come to shore!  No more "banana boats" screaming past you when you are trying to swim!   GREAT to see the progress.

The diving has been incredible!  This has been one of the best years for visibility since I have started to dive here in Sosua.  Getting some great macro shots of really small stuff!  The little creatures are all between 7 and 15 mm!  Loving the macro lens and the flexibility it gives!   Have to say, the wide angle is great down on the wreck as well!

It's been great to have returning divers to dive with!  People come back year after year and remain good friends!  Thanks for all the wonderful experiences.

Remember to check out the "PRODUCTS" page where you can order prints or merchandise delivered right to your door in N. America!   here in Sosua, Microjet Technologies can print any print you want!  Contact me for details.

Have a great summer, and please help save our oceans and our planet

Bill
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Hello there and thanks for joining me here!

It's been another great month here in Sosua on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic!  The diving has been super, great friends have been back to visit and I've had the opportunity to talk at 2 schools about our ecosystem and the need to take care of it for the future.

The International School was kind enough to let me speak to the Grade Six class!  It was great!  Very intelligent and enthusiastic young minds and wow - they asked great questions!  

Later last month I had an opportunity to speak to an adult group at IIC Spanish School.  It was great to see so many Dominicans concerned about the environment, the ocean, and the future.  We even had a few local divers show up and take in the lecture!   

On a continuing great note, there are lectures scheduled back in the campo and also at the Mariposa Foundation!  Great to see the momentum starting to build!

Lots of hope for the future!

The diving has been very good; visibility remains fine!  Been focusing on the "little things".  Working with a 60mm macro lens and a diopter to bring out the detail in eth really small stuff!  The little blennies in the photos above are about 3/4 of 1 inch long and only about 3/16 of an inch across the head!  These little guys may be my new favorite friend in the ocean!

Have a great summer, enjoy this beautiful country and please tae care of our ecosystem.


Bill

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Semana Santa is over and we're back in the warm waters here in the Dominican Republic.  The "winter" has been exceptional with only a few rough days!  The diving has been fantastic and the visibility on many days is 100 feet plus.

Trying to concentrate on the macro world under the water.  Get the close up pictures of the "little guys"!.. Lots of Blennies and Gobies and Sea Horses and of course little worms and corals.  

Of course, it's always nice to head down to the wreck of the ZINGARA as well!

One of the  great things is the people that come back year after year to dive.  They become good friends and along with diving  they get exposed to some of the Dominican culture.  I never get tired of showing people our wonderful country.

NEW PRODUCTS

Had lots of inquiries about prints and other items!  On the new PRODUCTS page on my website, you can now order prints directly online.  They will be printed in Canada and shipped anywhere in Canada or the U.S.  pricing and sizes are all available right from the link.

Locally in Sosua,  I have partnered with Microjet to offer 19 x 13 prints on top quality photo paper, mounted and framed for 2995 RD.  Stop by Microjet to have a look.  Any of my photos can be done!

Also, custom photo mouse pads, coffee mugs, coasters and tote bags available for online purchase.  These will be shipped directly to your door in Canada and the U.S.  All products can be printed with any photo on my webpage here.

Calendars will also be available online later in the year.

Have a great day and save our oceans

Bill
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March is slowly drawing to a close and it has been a great month diving here in the warm waters in Sosua.

One year ago, we had a HUGE storm that not only created a new beach in only 2 days but also drastically changed the underwater topography on our reefs.  Nature is amazing and extremely powerful.  Despite the shifting sand, the reefs are healthy, the life is flourishing, and the calm winter we have had has been great for visibility.

Having a great time learning the ins and outs of my new camera system; especially strobe positions and macro photography.  Starting to see some results.  Trying to think like a photographer that dives rather than a diver that take photos!  

Have a special project on the go with details to be announced shortly!  Stay tuned for information!

Thanks for visiting my site, glad you enjoy my photos and please reduce the use of plastics and help save our reefs and our oceans.

Bill
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Good morning and welcome to March!  Well, it's actually almost 1/2 over already!

The diving has been really great, especially for this time of year.  Getting used to the new camera set-up and enjoying the time underwater with all my diving friends.  Soon, too soon, it will be "low season" and although we will not have as many people here, the waters get clearer in summer.  You have to love that!

Added a new page to my website - Above The Water -

This will feature some of the sights that we have here, that you can enjoy during those surface intervals and "apres dive".  To start it off, I added photos of some of the faces of the wonderful people here on the island.  Later it will also have photos of the countryside, the ocean, and all the other activities you can enjoy here in our little part of paradise.

Have a look, "share", leave a comment if you wish!

Have a great week, and please, Save Our Oceans

Bill
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One of the greatest things about diving is the people you meet - the friends you make.  We all have a common ground; a love of the ocean and an appreciation for the amazing undersea world.  

From the earliest of your experiences, the people who taught you how to dive (Lou, Mad Dog), your first dive buddies (Ron, Rick), your students who have gone on to greater things (Linda), friends from around the globe that you dive with (Reinhold, Robert, Tracy, Micki, Johnny B., Mickey, Jay and Susan., Alex), people you work with (Jeffrey, Christian, Kai, David, Steve, Gil, Jose, Adrian), friends who have never met (Ron, Ron, Daryl), the people who you share your photos with and have helped you along the way (Andres, Adolfo, Leo, Carol) - all of you have had a lasting impression on me, and all of you are amazing people.  I know I missed hundreds of people on here but hey, you get the idea.

The great thing is, it's not only about the diving.  It's the dinners, the drinks, the fun, the conversation!  

It's really cool to have the same people come back year after year to dive and it's like they never went away.  We just pick up where we left off.  On that note, social media is great!  Being able to stay in touch with people over the ages who live miles away is truly incredible.  

I recently had the opportunity to meet Jean-Michel Cousteau - INCREDIBLE.  Super nice and down to earth gut.  Thanks Pablo for the intro!

Thanks for reading this, and thanks for viewing my photos.  I hope in some small way, it makes your world a better place.

Save our reefs, dive safely, smile!

Bill
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You have to love living in the DR in winter.  Beautiful cool morning, +21C or so, and sunny hot afternoons!  Yeah, I don't miss scraping the windshield.

Our winter here has been incredible.  The ocean has been unusually calm and we have had some excellent visibility!  Today was easy 40 meters!  Simply stunning.  Wide angle lens tomorrow!

Spent the last couple weeks trying to figure out a new camera.  LONG - SLOW learning process, but making some progress.  The "macro" lens looks like it will be to "go to" lens.  Thanks Ron DeVries for the tip!  Trying to add a 5x diopter to it and we will see where that goes!

A big shout out to Brian (Maddog) Thomas - THE grand poobah of scuba and the person who really got me hooked on this beautiful world!  Happy Birthday Buddy.

Most of our diving here is at about the 60 foot level or slightly deeper.  Not a huge amount of light penetration so it is a bit challenging!  Lol, need to work on getting some of those 30 foot dives in to get the light in the background!  The little Christmas Tree Worm above (about a 1/2 inch tall) was shot at 35 feet!  

A huge thanks to everyone who follows my page and my photos and hey, lets all work to reduce plastic, to save our oceans and our environment, and to enjoy life on the third rock!

Stay safe, stay healthy, save our reefs.

Bill
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Welcome to 2019 - albeit a bit late!

Finally got around to updating the website; been a while.

It's been a great winter here so far with pretty calm seas and great vis.  Excellent opportunity to get out and enjoy the tranquility of Mother Ocean. Every moment in the ocean is special, and so very peaceful.

Check out the new website design and please add a comment!  It's always great to hear from you.  

Had a great exhibition at "Silently 6" in Belgrade, Serbia.  You can view my portfolio on the home page here.  Very honored to be invited to participate and a huge Thank-you to all of the organizers.

Just a quick note:  Any of the photos here are available in high quality photo paper or printed on canvas. Drop me a note for prices if you are interested!  Thank-you to everyone who is currently displaying my work!

Testing out and learning how to use some new camera equipment and it is proving to be a bit of a challenge, but a real fun one.  Looking forward to some good results.

Have a great February everyone and please save our oceans!   They are the life blood of our planet.

Bill
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