The Four Questions I always get about Cozumel.

1-When is the best time to go?

Anytime from Nov – May is safe.

2- Where should I stay?

Depends on price. I usually stay at Hotel Cozumel. They are cheap, but would not suggest any all inclusive packages. Rather walk the 7 blocks into town and eat at some local places. there is a great place next to the main mall in downtown Cozumel. But if you are interested in diving the south end of the island you may want to stay at Fiesta Americana or other, but you will have to take a scooter or taxi into town.

3- Is there shore diving and what are the best dive sites?

Everything is boat diving. It is more advanced the further south you go. You need to be advanced certified and have at least 50 dives to dive some of these sites. These are Punta Sur, Chun Chakab & Maracaibo. This being said, there are amazing night dives at Paradise Reef and Palancar is considered one of the best dive site in the Caribbean.

4- Who should I dive with.

I go with Dive Paradise or Aqua Safari with larger groups for the convenience but they have to go to places based on the experience of the boat so may not go too far south. They are bigger boats and more casual, but if you have 2 advanced divers and 18 noobs then you cannot dive the more advanced sites. You can go with any number of smaller operators and they will basically throw you in a 20′ zodiac and take you at high speed to the good site. Less luxurious, but a more personal experience and often better dive sites. Mestizo Divers is a good operator and only take up to six.

Here are a list of the dive sites:

The Lively Shallow Reefs

Paradise Reef is actually a series of three separate reefs running parallel to shore approximately 200 yards out and is the only reef listed here accessible to beach divers. Maximum depth is 45 feet. All 3 sections are abundant with marine life of every size, color and description. Expect to see crab, lobster and a plethora of multicolored tropical fish Bring some food and be surrounded by angels. tangs and yellowtails. Watch your guide feed the spotted morays. Look closely under ledges and in holes and you're likely to spy the reclusive “Splendid Toad Fish” reputed to live nowhere in the world other than Cozumel. Paradise reef is the island's most popular night diving location. (Intermediate)

Chancanab Reef is just south of Parque Chancanab and about 350 yards offshore. Maximum depth is 55 ft. The coral formations and marine Life are similar to, but a little less populated than Paradise. Chancanab is another good location for night diving. (Novice)

Paso El Cedral or “Oak Pass” is a series of many reefs marked with expansive low profile caverns at its beginning and plenty of big fish throughout. Maximum depth 60 ft.. Cedral is another seldom dived but spectacular site. (Intermediate)

Balones of Chancanab is a series of balloon shaped coral heads. Plenty of lobster, crab and color. Out from and slightly south of Chancanab. 60-70 ft. (Novice)

Santa Maria Reef begins where San Francisco leaves off… at the south end of S.F. restaurant, a little less coral, larger schools of angels… beautiful diving also. (Intermediate)

San Francisco Reef – Beginning on the southern end of San Francisco Beach, this half mile reef is broken into 3 sections, each separated by about 60 yards of sand. This is Cozumel's shallowest wall dive. Loaded with life and best dived between 35 and 50 ft. San Francisco is a particularly exciting shallow dive, and not to be missed. (Intermediate)

Yucab Reef maximum depth 60 ft.. Yucab's dense low profile is a cornucopia of life and color. Barracuda are almost always seen here and the current is usually swift. (Novice)

Tormentos Reef is a series of colorful coral heads separated by “blue” sand valleys you can almost always visit with a very friendly and big moray. A divemaster's favorite. 40-70 ft. (Intermediate)

Shallow Palancar – An outstanding dive between 20 and 40 ft. Great for beginners but small groups of experienced divers can enjoy an incredible tour of long, narrow tunnels and caves. (Novice)

Shallow Columbia – This never ending sea garden is still a favorite for maximum bottom time. 15-35 ft. If you want to dive deeper here, you'll have to bring a shovel. (Novice)

The Spectacular Deep Dives

Maracaibo Reef – The most challenging dive spot in Cozumel at 140 -160 feet, which is decompression (non sport) diving. The reef features a spectacular multitude of caves and crevices, requiring an entire day to explore. There is also a series of very lush and rarely dived huge heads in 60-90 ft. of water. (Advanced)

Chun Chakab – Probably the most difficult to find reef in Cozumel Diving this one takes very special combination of captain, divemaster and weather conditions, If you do manage to get there, expect a virgin submarine fantasyland where large pelagics are often seen. For experienced ONLY! 90-120 ft. (Advanced)

La Francesa Reef – An excellent deep site for first time ocean divers Not located on our famous drop-off, this reef is surrounded by sand bottom at 7~15 feet: Expect mild currents and a wide spectrum of colorful marine life. (Novice)

Palancar Reef – The reef most identified with Cozumel is actually a conglomeration of many different coral formations and personalities. Stretching over three and one half miles, this gargantuan queen reef lies about a mile oft shore and tops a sloping wall which descends to a maximum depth of over 3000 feet. Palancar offers such a wide variety of profiles that she could not be seen in 20 or even 30 dives. Just to get a glimpse” of this multifaceted giant, the diver need make at least 6 separate dives. (Novice)

Palancar Gardens at the north end is relatively shallow and best dived between 40 and 70 ft. Often dived, nevertheless beautiful with many large caverns. (Novice)

The Little Caves is the area of many winding canyons, deep ravines and narrow crevices. A labyrinth of passageways, tunnels and caves, this is best dived at 50-70 feet. (Novice)

The Big Horseshoe where a series of tightly packed giant coral heads from a natural horseshoe rising from 100 feet to within 20 feet of the surface. Former home of the Christ statue (which now stands in Chancanab Park), this is still Palancar's busiest deep dive. Too much broken coral here, dive well, please. (Novice)

Broken Reef or The Little Horseshoe – just south of the big one is where you'll find majestic coral ridges rising high from the slope – Many windows, canyons and caverns. Best at 60-80 ft. Seldom dived and pristine. (Novice)

Palancar Caves – still further south, is best dived al 60-90 feet to appreciate it's deep buttresses, tunnels, caves and immense caverns. (Novice)

Deep Palancar – Is where the wall begins at 9O-100 feet. Rarely dived and pristine. Not for novice divers 100-120 ft. Spectacular visibility and currents vary all along the reef, but you can always count on stunning, exciting dive at mighty Palancar. (Advanced)

Santa Rosa Reef or “The Wall” – Undoubtedly Cozumel's second most popular drop-off. A wall begins at 50 feet and drops straight away into the deep. There is usually a brisk current and what an incredible thrill it is to literally fly the face of the wall and occasionally frolic with a playful grouper. Santa Rosa offers great beds of tunicates, immense sponges, huge overhangs of stony corals and impressive caves and tunnels best dived 60-80 ft. Awesome! (Intermediate)

Cedral Wall – A fairly flat wall just brimming with life and color. Expect a swift ride — Look Ma! No kicking – 50-90 ft. (Intermediate)

Columbia Reef – Another impressive drop-off at 60-80 feet. The quality of diving here is at least as spectacular as any part of Palancar. Deep diving at its finest. Columbia is comprised of a series of gigantic coral pinnacles (most over 90 ft. tall) rock marked with caves, tunnels and caverns. Here you'll experience a unique sensation liken to floating around the Rocky Mountains. Small marine life is a bit sparse but large creatures are frequently seen. (Intermediate)

Punta Sur – incredible topography… huge caverns. Many divers surfaces screaming with joy. 90-100 ft. (Intermediate)

Punta Sur II – Home of “the devil's throat”. This sequel is every bit as fascinating as the original. 90-120 ft.(Advanced)

Barracuda and San Juan Reefs are younger, more virgin reefs. Barracuda's Wall and the “Mountains” of San Juan offer little exciting topography. These are definitely not for the novice or overly confident divers. Currents of 3-10 knots run straight out to sea and if you lose your dive group, your next stop may be Cuba. These 2 reefs can be dived safely only by small groups of experienced current divers utilizing a hand held ascent line tied to float which the boat can keep sight of and follow. Depths range from 70 -110 ft. Cameras must be left topside. (Expert)

Villablanca Wall – Different! Instead of the huge stony coral buttresses, so typical of these southern deep reefs, the sloping wall here is dominated by huge sponges, gorgonians, and big schools of jacks and angelfish. It is recommended that novices make this one from a boat, but this site can be dived by more experienced divers from the beach. 50-100 ft. (Intermediate)

Virgin Wall – Due to heavy currents preventing local divemasters from bringing large groups of reef wreckers, this area remains pristine and lush. 2-4 different dives to see it all. If I had to choose my very favorite dive In Cozumel, it would be one of these.

Download here

After plenty of guessing by Carl Zeiss fans, it’s now official: the new super wide angle Distagon T* 2,8/15 lens has arrived. With a large angle of view of 110 degrees in combination with a fast f/2.8 aperture, the lens enables the features for dramatic perspectives and performance demanded by the most ambitious landscape and architectural photographers. With a unique ability to capture events in a natural and extraordinary manner, it is also an ideal companion for advertising, journalism and commercial photography. It will be available with an EF (ZE) or F bayonet (ZF.2).

Google's fleet of robotic Toyota Priuses has now logged more than 190,000 miles (about 300,000 kilometers), driving in city traffic, busy highways, and mountainous roads with only occasional human intervention. The project is still far from becoming commercially viable, but Google has set up a demonstration system on its campus, using driverless golf carts, which points to how the technology could change transportation even in the near future.

Stanford University professor Sebastian Thrun, who guides the project, and Google engineer Chris Urmson discussed these and other details in a keynote speech at theIEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in San Francisco last month.

Read the entire article at IEEE.org

I think the VFS Digital Design Program ; don't forget to check out their blog OOMPH

and the OCAD Design Strategic Insight and Innovation should be on the list.

creativeLIVE's Year End Sale is on! We've packaged our top workshops together with our lowest prices of the year. From Photoshop to DSLR Filmmaking to Wedding Photography, it's all here. If you've ever considered buying a creativeLIVE workshop, now is the time to do it. Sale ends December 31st.

The Business of Photography Collection

Now you can own creativeLIVE's best Photography Business workshops in one collection. Stuck wanting to improve your photography business? Not even sure where to start? Learn from the masters: Zack Arias, Tamara Lackey, and Jasmine Star. more…

Retail Price: $347.00

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Photoshop Collection

Master the fundamentals. Enhance drama. Create art. Learn professional Photoshop techniques from three of our top selling Photoshop workshops featuring the best in the business: Doug Landreth, David Nightingale, and Lesa Snider. Discover more…

Retail Price: $347.00

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DSLR Filmmaking Collection

The HDDSLR revolution has turned the industry upside down and made filmmaking more accessible. This collection combines two of Vincent Laforet's workshops together with maestro Gale Tattersall's workshop to teach you everything you need to more…

Retail Price: $447.00

Year End Sale Price:$299.00

Essentials of Wedding Photography Collection

As the title says, this is THE essential collection of Wedding Photography workshops from Jasmine Star and Bambi Cantrell, bundled with John Greengo's 10-week Fundamentals of Digital Photography course. Moving your way up in the wedding more…

Retail Price: $526.00

Year End Sale Price:$349.00

Photography Essentials Collection

This is the Swiss Army knife of creativeLIVE Year End Sale Collections, featuring Zack Arias's Foundations, Tamara Lackey's Business, David Nightingale's Dramatic Post Production, John Greengo's Fundamentals, and Bambi Cantrell's Posing more…

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Studio Photography Collection

From studio lighting to posing models to planning & producing a photo shoot, this collection offers THE definitive set of creativeLIVE Studio Photography workshops for one screaming discount price. Boost your skills by learning from more…

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2011 Master Collection

2011 was full of incredible education on creativeLIVE. Get all of our 2011 weekend workshops in one comprehensive collection for one insanely low price. Now is the time to complete your creativeLIVE library with workshops from: Zack Arias more…

“ OpenIDEO is a place where people design better, together for social good. It's an online platform for creative thinkers: the veteran designer and the new guy who just signed on, the critic and the MBA, the active participant and the curious lurker. Together, this makes up the creative guts of OpenIDEO. “

The beautiful thing about OpenIDEO is that it is a co-creation platform that promoted collaboration rather than solitary responses.

• Ideas can come from anyone and anywhere
• You don’t need to be a professional designer to think like one
• Extrinsic rewards are as important as intrinsic rewards when it comes to motivation

The Community Operates of 5 Principles.

Principle #1: Inclusive
Principle #2: Community-centered
Principle #3: Collaborative
Principle #4: Optimistic
Principle #5: Always in Beta

OpenIDEO is also spawning new channels which include Open Planet

Check out the OpenIDEO website to learn more.

Source IDEO HCD Toolkit

Games uses perceptual maps to understand player types to design game mechanics.

Also Canon recently used one to explain it's new product road map. Being a Canon geek I had to include it:

Image Source (NL)

“the arrow to the right reads “Motion Picture” while the arrow to the left reads “Still Photography”. It seems like the C EOS DSLR in development is mostly aimed at Video instead of Still. BTW, the arrow up is “Professional” while the arrow down is “Consumer”. ”

#1 – Materials, Cost & Batteries

Cost is always the biggest factor in purchasing underwater equipment. Make sure when you are looking at a housing your understand where you are going to use it and what accessories you will need. The second will be the materials and electronic components.  Solid Polypropylene housing vs solid machined aluminum, analog vs electronic components? Electronic components offer more easier access, but also can fail. leaving you without an importance feature such as white balance. Most DSLR housings are the body only. You still need to buy wider or macro ports which will set you back anywhere from $500 -$1000 each. Also strobes; how many, how much power do you need? Do you dive in darker or cold water conditions? You may need a focus light, and lots of extra batteries. Remember cold water limits your underwater burn time and battery life. I have strobes that take 4 AA's each, which mean I need at least 16 rechargeable batteries for a day of diving. Remember if you diving with equipment that takes AA's it may be more manageable than diving with strobes or lights that have built in rechargeable packs. If this is the case then you will need two or enough time between dives to charge your gear. The best example of this is, if you wanted to buy a Sea&Sea YS 250 vs a Sea&Sea YS 110α strobe. The YS 250 battery will last slightly longer underwater and has a much higher flash output with a land guide rating of 32 vs the YS 110α which has a land guide rating of 22, but may not last 2, 3 or 4 dives. You may also want to consider the conditions do you dive in? When you dive places like the Galapagos you have heavy currents. Large wide dome ports and equipment create a large amount of drag in the water.

#2 – Portability, Size & Weight

Do you want to buy a larger DSLR housing with multiple strobes so you can truly create the shadows and lighting you want underwater. I have a Pelican case just for my Aquatica equipment and it weighs 49.6 lbs – So no extra airline charges, and everything is protected. But this also mean that I have to figure out how to bring all my dive gear, clothes and accessories in another bag and keep it under 50lbs or you get charged overage fees, or extra bag fees at the airport.  My fiance dives with a Canon G10 point and shoot with 1 strobe. She can easily pack this in her pelican carry-on roller that is carry size and weighs about 20 lbs.

#3 – Put the best camera you can afford in your housing

The hardest decision for an underwater imager is when to buy and for what camera. I had a Canon 40D, but when I new that I was going to drop $2,50o on a housing, why not house best camera I could afford at the time. So I bought a 5D MK II, I have never regretted this decision.  If you are buying a point and shoot make sure you are not about to purchase a model that has just been updated or is about to be updated. For example a Canon s95 vs Canon S100. If you purchase a housing and S95 right now, the S100 will be out next month and in my opinion is a much better camera. Now the only decisions you are faced with is; Do I dive Macro or do I dive Wide? Obviously diving with a wide angel lens gives you some versatility, but if you like to spend tons of time in the little nooks and crannies like I do, then you probably will mostly dive Macro. That being said, there isn't a stranger feeling of euphoria and disappointment than having a macro lens on your camera and seeing a large pelagic pass by.

#4 – Protect & Insure your gear

This is simple, buy a Pelican case or other hard sided case to protect your and buy insurance. If you have to check your gear, remember most airlines insurance runs out at $500, so insure it through your house insurance, DAN  or other. Also make sure you have have a tether system that does not compromise your underwater safety, but also allows you to discard but not loose your equipment.

#5 – Buoyancy

You can purchase underwater accessories to help with the buoyancy of your camera gear, so it is less negative in the water. I like my equipment to be slightly negative, but gear is really negative underwater can be hard to operate. Lastly as an underwater imager, you probably already an expert in underwater buoyancy. Remember to respect the underwater world, don't dislodge or abuse marine animals just to get the shot and make sure you are aware of your surroundings. Floating into a Lion Fish, or loosing site of your buddy are common things for underwater imagers. I often tell people, underwater imagers are the worst buddies. Remember the basics down there. Happy Picture taking…..

Unbounce – The DIY Landing Page Platform

From Canon:

Brilliant Sensor, Supercharged Processors.

18.1 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
The EOS-1D X features a newly developed Canon full-frame 18.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor that's designed from the ground up to create high resolution, perfectly detailed images with unprecedented speed and clarity. A full 24 x 36mm, the sensor captures 5184 x 3456 large individual 6.95 µm pixels and has a much-improved S/N ratio resulting in better images from the start. A new photodiode structure with an increased photoelectric conversion rate increases the sensor's sensitivity by approximately 2 stops over previous models, meaning higher ISOs with the lowest noise of any EOS digital camera. And a 2-line 16-channel simultaneous signal readout means speeds of up to 12 fps (RAW + JPEG) and even 14 fps (Super High Speed Mode) are possible!

14-bit A/D conversion, wide range ISO setting 100-51200 (L: 50, H1: 102400, H2: 204800)
The EOS-1D X not only offers 14-bit signal processing for excellent image gradation, it delivers higher standard and expanded ISOs, and a score of new options to enhance shooting in varied and fast-changing lighting situations. With a standard range of ISO 100-51200, the EOS-1D X represents a 2-stop increase in sensitivity over previous cameras. Thanks to the improved signal-to-noise ratio of the new sensor and powerful noise reduction, the EOS-1D X can shoot at expanded sensitivities down to ISO 50 (L) and up to 102400 (H1), and even 204800 (H2)! Beyond the obvious advantages of its wide ISO range, the EOS-1D X has automatic ISO settings, found on the dedicated ISO menu. Minimum and maximum ISO settings can be specified, as can a user-defined range, plus full auto and manual.

Dual DIGIC 5+ Image Processors for enhanced noise reduction and blazing processing speed
For a whole new level of performance, the EOS-1D X uses Dual DIGIC 5+ Image Processors that include four 4-channel A/D converter front-end processing circuits and deliver speeds of up to 12 fps (RAW + JPEG) and 14 fps (JPEG). Compared with the predecessor, Canon's DIGIC 4 Image Processor, the Dual DIGIC 5+ Image Processor offers approximately 17x faster processing speed, and feature new algorithms that promote greater noise reduction at higher ISOs. In addition to conventional image processing functions the Dual DIGIC 5+ Image Processors offer real-time compensation for Chromatic Aberration in both still and motion images. With the power of these two processors, speed improvements are noticeable from the instant the camera is turned on and the stunning results speak for themselves.

All new 61-Point High Density Reticular AF
The newly designed 61-Point High Density Reticular AF features an Offset Array Sensor (with staggering AF point arrangement) to deliver greater accuracy, no matter the situation. It offers multi-zone wide-area AF for better tracking, has 5 central dual cross-type points (f/2.8 diagonal), 21 central cross-type points (f/5.6 horizontal & vertical) and 20 outer cross-type points (f/4.0 horizontal), and is sensitive in extremely low-light situations (EV-2 for a central point with a f/2.8 lens).

The EOS-1D X has a dedicated AF menu tab, so AF can be controlled without having to go through custom function menus. It also has 6 AF point selection methods (Spot, Single Point, Single + Adjacent 4 Points, Single + Adjacent 8 Points, Zone Selection, and Automatic AF Point Selection), plus a dedicated AF configuration tool for control of AI Servo AF III tracking parameters (tracking sensitivity, acceleration/deceleration tracking, and AF point auto switching).

The EOS-1D X uses the 100,000-pixel RGB Metering Sensor to aid the AF system in Automatic Point Selection. This dramatically increases the tracking performance for subjects that were previously unpredictable to follow, such as fast-moving or flying subjects. EOS iTR (Intelligent Tracking and Recognition) AF recognizes the subject based on face and color detection from the AE system, and tracks it using AF points. The EOS iSA (Intelligent Subject Analysis) System incorporates color recognition and Face Detection for proper exposure. Specific parameters can be adjusted and refined and saved in the AF menu for later use.

Fast Intelligent Exposure

EOS iSA (Intelligent Subject Analysis System) Powered by Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor
The EOS-1D X features a brand new 100,000-pixel RGB Metering Sensor with a dedicated DIGIC 4 Image Processor that delivers substantial improvements in evaluative ambient and flash metering. The sensor has 252 distinct zones for general metering, with 35 zones used for low-light metering. The meter's DIGIC 4 Image Processor uses EOS iSA (Intelligent Subject Analysis System) that incorporates face and color recognition data for more stable performance under rapidly changing lighting situations. The E-TTL Flash metering gains the same improvements. These improvements ensure accurate automatic exposure in a greatly increased group of shooting situations, offering a level of performance that will impress even the seasoned pro.

Sophisticated HD Recording at the Touch of a Button.

EOS HD Video Recording
Addressing the requests of the pros, the EOS-1D X captures HD video with an unprecedented level of sophistication for a digital SLR. It offers both All-I and IPB compression, supports H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile, and automatically splits files greater than 4GB (FAT specifications) for extended recording up to 29:59 minutes without interruption. It offers the option of timecoding only during recording (Rec Run) or at all times (Free Run) – useful for multi-camera shoots. The EOS-1D X offers easy operation with the new Live View shooting/Movie shooting button. Menu options can still be set even when the Live View image is displayed. A dedicated menu tab for video capture allows functions to be changed quickly on the fly. Improved sound recording adjustment capabilities offer 64-step volume control; and a sound recording level meter that is accessible through the Quick Control screen during video shooting. With the Silent Control function, adjustments can be made quietly with a touch pad located on the inner portion of the Quick Control Dial. The built-in wind filter helps suppress unwanted wind noise that can distort or muffle sound. The CMOS sensor's new drive system significantly increases image processor performance, reducing color artifacts and moiré.

Incredibly Fast Image Capture.

High-Speed Continuous Shooting
The EOS-1D X combines fast 16-channel data readout from its 18.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and the supercharged processing capabilities of its Dual DIGIC 5+ Image Processors with a speedier shutter and mirror system to raise the performance bar for all digital cameras, capturing full-frame images and recording them fast to UDMA cards stored in the cameras Dual Card Slots. Ideal for fixed focus situations, the EOS-1D X's can shoot up to 12 fps (RAW + JPEG). In Super High Speed Mode, high-speed shooting up to 14 fps (JPEG) is possible.

Thanks to a more resilient design, shutter lag with the EOS-1D X is reduced to 55ms (down even further to 36ms via custom function). A redesigned mirror system, featuring a Quad Active Mirror Stopper, uses more effective material to absorb impact when moving up and down not only aids in speedy shot-to-shot times, but the reduced mirror vibration provides more stable shots at all times.

Optional Canon Wireless File Transmitter & GPS

The EOS-1D X is compatible with the new WFT-E6A Wireless File Transmitter for wireless LAN and Bluetooth transfer with the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standards, performing up to 2.5x faster than previous models. A new image resend feature ensures that all images get transferred, even if a signal drop interrupts transmission. The small and lightweight WFT-E6A is discrete, does not interfere with other camera operations, and maintains the EOS-1D X's high level of dust and drip resistance.

The GPS Receiver GP-E1** attaches to the EOS-1D X, offering the same dust and water-resistant protection as the camera body itself, features its own power supply and is always ready to append location data to images. It records latitude, longitude, elevation and has a GPS Time Sync Function that synchronizes the camera clock with a satellite and features an electronic compass that records the camera's orientation when shooting.

Enhanced recording options with Dual Card Slots, Gigabit-Ethernet terminal

To complement the high-speed drive and record the maximum number of shots as quickly as possible, the EOS-1D X records solely to industry speed-leading CompactFlash cards and features Dual Card Slots. Supporting UDMA mode 7, with a maximum data transfer rate of 167 MB/s as well as exFAT maximum file sizes, the EOS-1D X can use Type I and Type II CF recording media. Three recording settings are available: Auto switch, wherein the camera automatically switches from one card to another when the first is filled, Record Separately where the same image is recorded to each card, but in different size or file type, or Record to Multiple, where the same image is saved to both cards in the same size (or sizes), providing an instant backup for added security. Additionally, images can easily be transferred from one CF card to the other. Wired image transfer is also speedier than ever thanks to the EOS-1D X's built-in Gigabit Ethernet terminal (1000BASE-TX).

For more information on the Canon 1Dx and the full Canon press release, please visit Canon USA’s website.

The oceans provide vital sources of protein, energy, minerals and other products of use the world over and the rolling of the sea across the planet creates over half our oxygen, drives weather systems and natural flows of energy and nutrients around the world, transports water masses many times greater than all the rivers on land combined and keeps the Earth habitable. 

Without the global ocean there would be no life on Earth.

One of the largest contributors to the demise of the aquatic ecosystem is the over hunting of sharks, who are responsible for keeping balance in the underwater world. Sharks are hunted not for their meat but for their fins. Shark fins, once they are harvested, are then dried to be sold in markets to individuals and restaurants to be made into shark fin soup and sold to the public (especially tourists) for as much as $350 per bowl. Shark fin has been described as having no flavor and chicken or pork are used to flavor, the fins are for texture only.

Shark fin soup come with a level of controversy as it is a delicacy for many chinese cultures and has been a served at special events like weddings for many years. It is estimated that the population of the oceans big animals is down 90% since 1950 due to over fishing or hunting. Currently 100 million sharks are killed annually.

A couple of great Shark Finning Infographics courtesy of Discovery Channel and Wild Aid

As an Senior Interactive Instructor over at VFS I teach a number of courses. One of the most important is one the graduate classes in the Gamification of Life. After being exposed to user experience, interaction design fundamentals, and advanced HCI (Human Computer Interaction) techniques students round out the program learning a range of interactive moves that would intimidate the likes of Mr. Miyagi.

The world is now looking at experiences through different lenses; which make up two layers of an experience. No we are not reinventing Jesse James Garrett’s five-layer model of interactive experiences. Rather we are determining how they influence layers of system and social interaction.

The Gamification of Life is a master class in providing rewarding experiences based on understanding game play systems, and storytelling. The course builds on a core philosophy of user-centered design in which students are trained to conceptualize experiences as reward based systems that understand compulsions, progression models and dynamic feedback states.

The core of the course is what I've coined “compulsive branding.” Understanding that brands must go deeper into understanding the psychological locks and keys that compel users to reach a specific meaning (branded state.) A strong brand can make you feel like an athlete; compulsive branding looks at understanding specifically why someone wants to be an athlete and provide them activities and experiences to fulfill that fantasy. As students near graduation they already hold black belts in creating core experiences and developing controlling ideas. In the past we viewed experiences as utilities or entertainment but now our goal is to expose users to more immersive social interactions.

Students learn early on in the program to apply brand principles, big ideas, user experience strategies, story telling and interactive principles to craft world-class experiences. They know how to strategize and execute a project that leverages their skills in information architecture, intuitive interaction design, and the visual presentation of information. These are layers that surround and support the core. They require a deeper understanding of the social and interaction strata and consider user compulsions and reward them accordingly based their expectations.

It is a powerful trend that has been called many things; “the game layers on top of the world,” “the Gamification of life,” “interactive edutainment,” plus many more. The terminology may be different, but the design thinking is the same. It is a world where gaming, user experience and interactive design are merging.

Graduates leave the course understanding how to improve tiered loyalty programs, how to influence social behaviours outside a core experience and how to create more rewarding interactive experiences by designing for personas and gamer types. They are equipped with wide range of interactive arts; ready to either build a Chuck Norris theme park or take on the interactive octagon.

Learn More about Digital Design

MONTREAL, Canada, September 28 – Aquatica today announced that it has acquired Amphibico, the industry leader in underwater video imaging. The combined company is now a global leader in the design, development and service of equipment for the professional and recreational videographer,filmmaker and still photographer.

For more than two decades both Montreal-based companies have been recognized for product innovation, quality manufacturing, and excellent customer service. “The Amphibico name is known around the world for excellence in underwater videography,” said Aquatica co-owner Blake Stoughton. “While we are combining the operations of the two companies, we will maintain the Amphibico brand and the commitment to quality and excellence that it has inspired for many years.” “The acquisition of Amphibico will allow us to offer our customers the combined expertise to deliver the very best products for all underwater imaging requirements,” said Norma Alonzo, coowner of Aquatica. “The businesses are a great fit and we look forward to bringing our combined capabilities to serve the needs of the professional and recreational diver.

Read the press release

Source IDEO HCD Toolkit

Games uses perceptual maps to understand player types to design game mechanics.

Also Canon recently used one to explain it's new product road map. Being a Canon geek I had to include it:

Image Source (NL)

“the arrow to the right reads “Motion Picture” while the arrow to the left reads “Still Photography”. It seems like the C EOS DSLR in development is mostly aimed at Video instead of Still. BTW, the arrow up is “Professional” while the arrow down is “Consumer”. “

T(ether) is a novel spatially aware display that supports intuitive interaction with volumetric data. The display acts as a window affording users a perspective view of three- dimensional data through tracking of head position and orientation. T(ether) creates a 1:1 mapping between real and virtual coordinate space allowing immersive exploration of the joint domain. Our system creates a shared workspace in which co-located or remote users can collaborate in both the real and virtual worlds. The system allows input through capacitive touch on the display and a motion-tracked glove. When placed behind the display, the user’s hand extends into the virtual world, enabling the user to interact with objects directly.

Source MIT Media Lab

From Canon:
For filmmakers and photographers who want the look and feel only possible with extreme wide angle and fisheye photography, the new Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is a world-class choice. With its unique focal length range, the EF 8-15mm f/4L USM is the world's widest fisheye zoom lens. It delivers 180° diagonal angle of view images for all EOS SLR cameras with imaging formats ranging from full-frame to APS-C, and provides 180° circular fisheye images for full-frame EOS models. It features UD glass for suppression of chromatic aberration, a Subwavelength coating for reduced ghosting, a newly developed Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum, has full-time manual focus for instant switching from AF to Manual operation, and is built to the standards of the amazing Canon L-series of lenses. This means the finest optics, the best construction and the best performance available, all in a lens designed to stimulate creativity and deliver stunning images every time.

EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
Wide-Angle

From Canon:
Ultra-wide angle lenses have always been in demand by architectural, corporate, and other top pro photographers. This new lens features completely redesigned optics including 2 high-precision Aspherical elements and two totally new UD-glass elements. The result is superior image quality: better contrast and sharpness at the outer edges, and a reduction in chromatic aberrations that can sometimes be seen with high-resolution digital SLRs. Its diagonal angle of view is an impressive 114°-anything larger would be a Fisheye lens. It has a built-in lens hood, and has been dust- and moisture- proofed. The lens uses a rear focusing system, high-speed CPU, and a powerful ring-type USM with revised electronics for faster, more responsive AF. This lens continues the proud tradition of superior clarity optics found in L-series Canon lenses.

EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Ultra-Wide Zoom

From Canon:
The EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is a high performance, water-resistant, and ultra wide-angle Canon L-series lens. It has been specifically designed for improved edge-to-edge image quality that will meet the strict requirements of professional and high-end amateur photographers. It features 3 high-precision aspherical lens elements, each of a different type: ground, replica and GMo for even better image quality than the original EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM. The circular aperture produces a beautiful and natural background blur when shooting at wider apertures. Other features include internal focusing, a ring type USM (Ultra Sonic Monitor), and new AF algorithms for fast and quiet autofocusing.

EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
Wide-Angle

From Canon:
Canon's newest fixed length L-series lens, the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM, incorporates the newest in Canon lens technology for spectacular sharpness and impressive performance at all settings. It features two high-precision, large-diameter aspherical lenses for sharpness across the sensor, even in peripheral areas of full-frame sensors. Lens elements have a newly-designed anti-reflective SWC (Sub Wavelength Coating) that departs from conventional coatings by using an extremely fine structure that minimizes ghosting and flaring across the lens surface, regardless of the angle with which light enters or exits. It also features two UD lens elements to minimize chromatic aberrations, incorporates rear-focusing, ultrasonic, quiet and high-speed AF with full-time manual override. A circular aperture provides beautiful out-of-focus detail and offers legendary dust- and water-resistant L-series construction using only lead-free glass.

TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

Tilt-Shift

From Canon:
A superb refinement to a true Canon classic, the new TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II offers enhanced functionality and image quality in its most popular tilt-shift focal length. Designed with UD glass to minimize and compensate for chromatic aberrations and a specially coated aspherical element for the highest possible glare-free image quality, this tilt-shift lens features an angle of view of 84° on a full-frame camera.

New TS rotation lets users freely combine tilting and shifting within the range of +/- 90° in the direction of movement. The Tilt function has an enhanced range of movement of up to +/- 8.5°, a revolving construction for both portrait and landscape shooting modes, locking, ergonomically-designed and easily operated tilt and shift knobs, uses a circular aperture for beautiful out-of-focus areas, and is constructed using only lead-free glass and has an SWC lens coating that controls ghosting and flare to a far greater degree than earlier coating technologies.

EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
Wide-Angle

From Canon:
L-series professional f/1.4 wide-angle lens with an Aspherical lens element to correct aberrations. The floating system enables high picture quality to be obtained over the entire focusing range. Autofocusing is quick and quiet with rear focusing and ring USM. Full-time manual focusing is also possible.

EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Standard Zoom

From Canon:
This new lens does what many pros thought couldn't be done – replace the previous L-series 28-70 f/2.8 lens with something even better. Extended coverage to an ultra-wide-angle 24mm makes it ideal for digital as well as film shooters, and the optics are even better than before with two Aspherical elements and a totally new UD glass element. It's now sealed and gasketed against dust and moisture, and a new processing unit makes the AF faster than ever.

EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Standard Zoom

From Canon:
This easy-to-use standard zoom lens can cover a large zoom area ranging from 24mm wide-angle to 105mm portrait-length telephoto, and its Image Stabilizer Technology steadies camera shake up to three stops. Constructed with one Super-UD glass element and three aspherical lenses, this lens minimizes chromatic aberration and distortion. The result is excellent picture quality, even at wide apertures. Canon's ring-type USM gives silent but quick AF, along with full-time manual focus. Moreover, with dust- and moisture-resistant construction, this is a durable yet sophisticated lens that meets the demands of advanced amateur photographers and professional photographers alike.

EF 50mm f / 1.2L USM
Standard & Medium Telephoto

From Canon:
The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a peerless new standard lens featuring an ultra-large aperture for a narrow depth of field and soft background blur so loved by photographers everywhere. The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is suitable for any shooting situation; its lens coating and construction are optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that frequently occurs when lenses are used with digital cameras. This high-performance, weather-resistant lens delivers all the superb image resolution and contrast you expect in a Canon L Series Lens.

EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
Standard & Medium Telephoto

From Canon:
Retaining the impressive optical performance and large aperture of the original EF 85mm f/1.2L USM, this new medium telephoto lens uses a Ring-type USM, high-speed CPU and optimized algorithms to achieve an autofocus speed approximately 1.8x faster than the original. The high-speed AF and circular aperture create a shallow depth-of-field that brings attention to the subject and blurs the background, which is ideal for portraits and weddings. The floating optical system, which includes an aspherical lens element, suppresses aberrations and ensures excellent imaging performance.

EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Macro

From Canon:
Canon's newest “L” series lens is its first mid-telephoto macro lens to include Canon's sophisticated Image Stabilization. With the highest quality optics available, combined with near-silent Ultrasonic focusing and life-size close-up capabilities without an adapter, the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is simply unrivalled.

This is the first lens on the market to incorporate Canon's new Hybrid Image Stabilization Technology. Hybrid IS effectively compensates for both angular and shift camera shake during close-up shooting. The lens was developed to expand users' photographing range and allow a wider range of users to easily enjoy macro photography.

EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus
Telephoto

From Canon:
Telephoto lens with a softfocus feature. It can give razor-sharp snapshots as well as softfocus shots that do not look blurry. You have a choice of two softfocus settings. Even for softfocus shots, focusing with AF is quick and accurate.

EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
Macro

From Canon:
Another telephoto macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1x. Life-size close-ups can be taken from a farther distance without disturbing the subject (insects, etc.). The internal floating system minimizes fluctuations in aberrations caused by changes in the focusing distance. Optical performance is outstanding from 1x to infinity.

EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM

Telephoto

From Canon:
Telephoto lens boasting high image quality and carrying ease. With two UD-glass elements and rear focusing to correct aberrations, image delineation is extremely sharp. Background blur is also natural-looking, as was simulated by Canon. The lens comes with a dedicated, detachable hood.

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USMTelephoto Zoom

From Canon:
Incorporating Canon’s second generation Image Stabilization technology, this telephoto zoom responds in as little as 0.5 seconds, while providing up to three stops of correction for camera shake. Its AF system has been refined for better response time and tracking speed. And even the new 8-blade circular aperture offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. Constructed to pro standards, this fast zoom is also highly resistant to dust and moisture, too.

EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Telephoto Zoom

From Canon:
The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is a lightweight, compact L Series telephoto zoom lens with Image Stabilizer. The optical Image Stabilization in the new EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens provides up to an incredible four stops of shake correction-a first for Canon IS lenses. The use of fluorite UD lens elements provides excellent optical performance in terms of resolution and contrast. These features, together with its water-and dust-proof construction, provide both the performance and portability to meet user demands.

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Telephoto Zoom

From Canon:
L-series super telephoto zoom lens equipped with an Image Stabilizer. The fluorite and Super UD-glass elements largely eliminate secondary spectrum. The floating system also ensures high picture quality at all focal lengths. The Image Stabilizer has two modes and it is compatible with Extenders 1.4x II and 2x II.

EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Super Telephoto

From Canon:
The stellar combination of superlative optics, astonishing performance and brilliant construction, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM super telephoto is the professional's choice for a long lens, and perfect for nature and wildlife photography. Over 28% lighter than its predecessor and now the lightest lens in its class, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM features Fluorite optics that deliver sharper images with less chromatic aberration, a completely redesigned Image Stabilization system that offers up to four extra stops of performance, a newly-developed Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum, plus new construction in line with only the best that Canon has to offer. With a third Image Stabilization mode (Mode 3) that activates IS only when the shutter button is fully pressed, and giving the equivalent effect of a shutter speed four stops faster, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM allows for easy panning and is ideally positioned for professional action photography. With a new security slot for wire-type security locks, buttons and switches are redesigned for intuitive, deliberate operation, and dust and water sealing keeps the lens functioning flawlessly in even the most challenging environments.

EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM
Super Telephoto

From Canon:
Canon’s breakthrough multi-layer diffractive optical lens technology provides photographers with superior super-telephoto performance in a smaller and lighter design with enhanced correction for chromatic aberrations. We’ve also added our highly effective Image Stabilization system that gives the equivalent effect of a shutter speed two stops faster. And, it’s built to our professional standards with fast AF, full-time mechanical focus and dust and water-resistant construction.

EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Super Telephoto

From Canon:
This high-performance lens was designed with portability and handling ease in mind. One Super UD-glass element, whose characteristics are similar to fluorite, and one UD-glass element result in sharp pictures from corner-to-corner. The lens also has a built-in hood and a detachable tripod mount.

EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
Super Telephoto

From Canon:
Next-generation super telephoto L-series lens with an Image Stabilizer, it's one of the world's best lenses for wildlife and nature photography. The optical system is newly designed with a maximum aperture of f/4. One fluorite element and two UD-glass elements effectively correct aberrations resulting in sharp and excellent delineation.

EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM
Super Telephoto

From Canon:
Featuring Fluorite optics that deliver sharper images with less chromatic aberration, the new large-diameter EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM super telephoto lens also takes advantage of magnesium and titanium construction for a lighter weight and a Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum. Because image stabilization technology in super telephoto lenses may inadvertently over-compensate and interfere with composing and framing distant or moving subjects, the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM includes an advanced third Image Stabilization mode (Mode 3) that activates IS only when the shutter button is fully pressed. This allows users to pan fast-moving subjects and then activate IS only when it is precisely required. Because all three IS modes give the equivalent effect of up to four extra stops of performance, and because plus the Power Focus mode enables smooth focus change when shooting video, the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM is ideal for capturing rapid-fire action. Other improvements such as better dust- and waterproofing make the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM super telephoto lens an ultra high-performance Digital Age tool combining Canon hallmarks of superb ease-of-use with excellent durability.

” If I had asked people what they wanted, They would have said faster horses.” - Henry Ford

The creative process is a collaboration between the client and designer. Leverage the insight of both parties to maximize your results. Let's look at the design process through these two lenses.

The Client

As a client are you willing to use 10 -35% of your annual revenue to create the proper experience for your organization?

Most designers have specialized training, specialized equipment, and a great deal of talent in order to deliver effective solutions based on organizational needs. Design is not about making things pretty, it is about solving problems, connecting people and growing businesses. When you hire a designer you are not hiring someone who understands how to use a piece of software; you are hiring someone who understands design culture, trends, and opportunities.

As a client you are a business owner who wants good value and the best ROI (return on investment) possible. This is where you should leverage a designers experience to understand what you want to accomplish. What are your organizational and growth goals? Why do you need the website? What purpose does is serve? How does it fit in with your portfolio of products and services? Is it experientially driven, transactionally driven or other? Do you require a or a brand direction? What is the difference between a brand and a logo (I.D.?) Do you require any education around brand touch points and how this affects the consumer’s perception of the company? Are you looking to move a product into a lifestyle experience?  and so on….  Good designers should help your identify and find clarity or your needs.

Most organizations spend 30-60% of their revenue on marketing in order to grow new business. A good portion of this can go into an interactive / brand design or re-design. The most simple website will usually require at a minimum a few weeks of a designers time. Free lance designers operate similarly to trades people. Think about the cost of plumbers, carpenters, and electricians. Designers are no different and they provide sustained results for your organization. In my career I have worked on sites that cost anywhere from $6,000 – $250,000 and software applications that range from $30,000 -$40 million. Websites that cost from $600 – $10,000 per page.

In return you have an organization with clear goals and communication strategies. Interactive brand experiences that consider all touch points of the consumer journey. Each design medium is a strategic work of art that considers finadability, learnability, assistance, narrative, informational design, hierarchies, user flows, telemetry,  visual identity, composition, typography, color theory, emotional responses, motivations, compulsions, calls to action, and social interactions.  “Design is a consideration of things.” Success if born through your ability to collaborate and empower your design team.

The Designer

Are you being paid for your ideas or how you can transform ideas into products and services that work for a core consumers?

Clients generally do not understand all the costs involved in design. It is a foreign field and most of the time need to be some education involved. First and foremost I believe all designers must protect the integrity of our field. So step one is to price accordingly and remember every region has different rates. San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, Miami, Los Angeles etc. Things are going to cost more relative to your geographical location, and the cost of living. A designer in the Midwest and Prairies can live on a lower salary than most coastal cities.

You are a small business who needs an interactive brand presence (website) and you have never created or are looking to re-align your brand strategy. How much time would this take to create?

First the brand. Branding is usually broken down into two areas. How the consumers feels about your product and service and the internal mantra / war cry you want to communicate to your organization to drive future growth. A lot of the time small businesses are looking for just an ID (identity.) A logotype that consumers can associate with the company, but I would encourage a client to talk to their designers because a proper brand strategy better helps support the organizational goals of the company. It also solidifies your vision and mission statements.

Second is the experience. How big is the experience. How many pages is the site, or experience? How much content is going to be involved? Does it need to work on computers only? Or does it need to work on computer, smart phones, and social networks. What technology is required? Flash does not work on most apple portable devices? Do you require a software engineer to create a server side application? Are their images, visual assets etc? If not the project will require a photo shoot, illustrations, or another kind of asset creation. Does the client what a specific typeface? What is the cost of this typeface? Who is going to write the content for the site? Do you need creative editorial writing or Search Engine Optimized writing for the web? An the biggest an most overlooked; who is going to maintain the website / brand experience?

Here is a breakdown of what goes into a project. The number of hours is dependent on the complexity, technology needs, and scope of the project.

Brand Strategy & Logo

- Research on competitive / competitive analysis
- Perceptual Mapping (understanding where you organization lives relative to others)
- Development of brand character, attributes, values, mission and vision statement
- Identification of target audience / persona creation (archetypes of your target consumer)
- Development of logo, logotype etc

Interactive – Web, Devices, Presentation

- Requirements gathering
- Finding Inspiration / Mood boards / Emotional Touch points
- Content Inventory (core information on the experience, identify calls to action CTA's)
- Wireframes, user flows, interactive stories,
- Conceptual Mock Ups
- Visual Asset creation (photos, illustrations, images)
- Photo shoot or Stock Image purchases
- Writing for web, editorial writing, content strategy
- Production Ready Comps – Interfaces
- Style Guides and Graphic Standards
- Front End Development – Presentation Layer – Flash, PHP, Javacript,
- Server Side Engineering- Database, AI, E-commerce,
- Deployment and bug tracking
- Ongoing maintenance
- Ongoing writing for web / blogging

This is is only a rough outline. There can be more, less and everything in between. It does illustrate that even the most  basic website requires a lot of work. The old analogy that was shared with me earlier in my career is this. A client will ask a designer for a Maple Sausage. Clients don't need to understand everything that went into making the sausage, but it does have to taste like maple and the client needs to willing to pay for the production costs.

Author – Miles Nurse Copyright © Transient Pod - If you would like to understand how we can put this to work for you please feel free to contact us using the link at the bottom of the page.

The center islands of the Galapagos are surrounded by water that is not so deep as in the north or west. Most places are more protected and the water generally is somewhat warmer (21 to 26°C around Santa Cruz and slightly cooler around Santiago). Dive sites are very varied and can be combined with land trips to the different islands. There are nice reefs near Floreana (Devil's Crown, Onslow island) and Bartolomé island.

Most of the scuba diving in this area is done in day trips from Puerto Ayora, where there are several dive operators with small, but fast boats. Your other choice is to go on a liveaboard trip which either gets you around the central and southern islands or to the north and western part of the Galapagos.

Santiago (San Salvador / James) (19)

Also known as James and San Salvador the central location and numerous landing sites make Santiago a part of almost every Galapagos itinerary. A favorite island for pirates and whalers, Santiago has a long human history as well as some outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing. Highlights of a visit include the fur seal grotto, pink flamingo lagoon as well as the chance to see Galapagos Hawks and vermilion fly catchers.

Once rich in vegetation, feral goats were released on the island in the 1880′s. The goats thrived in the lush environment eating everything in sight and their numbers grew to over 100,000.

Their presence has severely impacted the island's flora and fauna. The national park service working toward eradication, have improved the situation. Still, it is not unusual for visitors to see goats or signs of their presence.

During the 1920′s and again in the 1960′s human impact again took its toll on Santiago. Near Puerto Egas salt mining operations were attempted. Great effort was put into extracting salt from the crater though little profit was made and the venture was abandoned. Equipment and building were left behind some still remaining on the island today.

Visitor sites are located on both the east and west sides of the island, making multiple visits likely on longer trips. Many cruises may stop here en route to Tower or include sites in conjunction with visiting Bartolome or Sombrero Chino.

Puerto Egas (4)

A visit to Puerto Egas begins with a wet landing on the dark sand beaches of James Bay. The visit begins with a walk along the rocky coast giving visitors the opportunity to view some of the Galapagos Island's best tide pools. Sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish including the endemic four-eyed blenny can be seen. The walk also presents visitors with a variety of shore birds, marine iguanas, sally light foot crabs and sea lions.

James Bay (Puerto Egas) has a large fur seal colony. Fur seals and sea lions are seen underwater on most dive sites. Here they are extremely playful, come close to the diver, play with you, literally swim hoops around you, going straight for your head and turning aside at the last possible moment. Then they hover close by and seem to imitate you by letting air out of their mouth, push you a little here and there and check out your fins. While the females come close, the males patrol more on the edge of the group and try to keep their females together. Fur seals and sea lions can also be seen while snorkeling. This is a interesting dive site because you can find some animals here that you usually only find in Isabela such as sea pens, horn sharks and sand anemones because the water is quite cold here. Also good for scorpionfishes, seahorses, iguanas, sea robins and moreys

There are two interesting excursions normally visited from Puerto Egas. The first is a short walk from the landing site brings visitors to the site of one of the Galapagos' first entrepreneur endeavors. For decades salt was extracted from a local salt crater. The industry was abandoned in the 1950′s leaving behind a variety of rusted old machines and parts of buildings. The trail follows the path once used by wagon trains to the crater cone.

The steep trail is easy, but can often seem one of the hottest hikes in the islands. Feral goats prune the arid vegetation, which lines the trail. The goats feed on any leaf within reach leaving little left for the endemic island creatures. Bird lovers will be delighted with the opportunity to catch a glimpse of one of Darwins finch, the endemic Galapagos hawk, or the colorful vermillion flycatcher.

Finally reaching the crater rim presents an incredible vista. Looking into the crater you are able to see this extinct volcano whose floor has sunken below sea level. Salt water seeps into the crater creating a small salt lake. The sun evaporates the water, leaving the salt that many have tried to mine without success.

Looking away from the crater are the older orange lava fields supporting vegetation including the palo santo trees and the younger desolate black lava fields.

The second excursion begins just a short distance beyond the tide pools is the fur seal grotto. Fur seals and sea lions can be seen swimming in the rocky lava ringed pools. This may be the only opportunity visitors have to see and swim with fur seals.

Fur seals were once hunted to near extinction for their coats. The Galapagos Fur Seal is the smallest of the fur seals found in the southern hemisphere, now compare in numbers with the sea lions. During the day they hide from the hot equatorial sun in shelves or caves of the rocky lava cliffs. At night they feed on squid and fish avoiding the sharks, which are their natural predator.

The crystal clear water, volcanic bridges, fur seals and sea lions make this a magnificent place for swimming and snorkeling.

Buccaneer's Cove (18)

Less than an hour north of Puerto Egas, Buccaneers Cove served as a safe haven for pirates, sailors and whalers during the 18th and 19th century. Anchoring in the protected bay they were able to make much needed repairs to their ships while other men went a shore to stock up on salt, tortoises, fresh water and firewood. Several years ago ceramic jars were found at the bottom of the bay, the disregarded cargo of some mariner from years gone by. Inside the jars were supplies of wine and marmalade.

Albany Rock is a small crescent shaped island near Buccaneers Cove. You dive at a protected cove with little current. There is a sloping rock wall covered with sea fans and yellow black coral and large boulders, rocks, and underwater pinnacles with many crevices. Marine turtles, barracudas, golden and spotted eagle rays and Galapagos shark have been seen here and on the rocks live groupers like the common flag cabrillas (Epinephelus labriformes) and on the sandy plateau red lipped bat fishes have been found

Few boats stop at Buccaneers Cove today. Though many cruise by at a slow speed giving visitors the opportunity to view the steep cliffs made of tuff formations and the dark reddish-purple sand beach. This dramatic landscape is made all the more impressive by the hundreds of seabirds perched atop the cliffs. Two of the more recognizable rock formations are known as the “monk” and “elephant rock”. A large population of feral goats now frequents Buccaneers Cove and this portion of Santiago. The National Park Service has fenced off part of the area to protect the native vegetation from the destructive eating habits of this introduced species.

A wet landing on the large coffee-colored sand beach is just north of the prized fresh water supply that once attracted pirates and whalers.

Espumilla Beach(21)

Visitors who now come to Espumilla Beach come in search of birds rather than water. A short walk inland takes visitors through a mangrove forest normally inhabited by the common stilt. Sea turtles also visit these mangroves to nest. Beyond the mangroves is a brackish lagoon where flocks of pink flamingos and white cheeked pintails can be seen.

The trail makes a loop heading over a knob into a sparely forested area then back to the beach. Along the way those with a watchful eye may spot a variety of Darwin finches or a vermilion fly catcher. Once back at the beach visitors may have the chance to swim or snorkel time permitting.

Sullivan Bay (22)

In the early 1900′s the volcano on Santiago erupted, lava flowed eastward towards Bartolome. Edges of the lava field advance in tongues, hot magma raced ahead, flowing around and eventually engulfing any obstacles in its way. The extreme heat created by the flow would cause obstacles like trees to evaporate, leaving behind only an imprint of the life which once existed.

The Sullivan Bay lava field is a variety of interesting patterns. The shapes and textures of trees, which once existed there and hornitos caused when pockets of gas or water trapped under the lava exploded. The Sullivan Bay lava is known a panoehoe (Hawaiian for rope). This thin-skinned lava's molten material cools down after an eruption causing the surface materials to buckle creating a rope like appearance. panoehoe lava is rare to the rest of the world, but is common to the volcanoes of Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands.

In the nearly 100 year since the Sullivan Bay flow only a few plants have managed to take root in this harsh environment. The low-lying mollugo is commonly the first plant to emerge from a bare lava field. Together with the lava cactus (brachycereus) found here these plants are evidence of life returning to Sullivan Bay.

The walk takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half. Returning to the shoreline black and white oystercatchers can be seen fishing for crabs and mollusks in the tide pools.

Cousins Rock (1)

Cousin's Rock is a well known dive site and is situated off the east coast of Santiago (north of Bartolome). This is one of my favorite dive sites, mostly because of the combination of nicely covered rocks and the possibility to see large animals as well. The rock has a triangular shape and rises about 10m out of the water. Underwater it is steep on the northern and western side and sloping on the eastern side. In the south lies a large rock separated by a narrow channel from the island.
We started on the steep wall and basically just jumped right into a enormous school of black striped salema (Xenocys jessiae). It was so enormous, that when we swam into the school we were completely surrounded by fish, it actually became dark and even for our bubbles the fish wouldn't budge much. I stayed still and stopped breathing and the fish closed in and nearly touched me.

You dive on a series of ledges made up of many layers of volcanic rock and overhangs alternating with steep slopes and walls of black coral. The wall and slope are nicely covered with black corals, small hard corals, sea fans, hydroid bushes and red sponges. Because of the many ledges and overhangs small animals can hide well – you will find different species of hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus, Cirrhitichthys oxyphalus, Cirrhitus rivulatus), nudibranchs, sea horses and even frogfishes. Out in the blue you can see mobula rays, mantas and sharks (white tipped reef sharks, hammerhead sharks). Cousin's Rock is also known for the large groups of spotted eagle rays seen here and there are a lot of sea lions which like to chase the salemas.

Around the southern part there is also a nice area with a large rock separated from the mainland by a small channel. The rock has a huge longish overhang where black coral bushes grow. There can be current here, so it is not always not be possible to swim around it. Just go back and cross over through the small channel. Google Earth pictures: Cousin's Rock

Rabida island (Jervis) (6)

Rabida is a small island to the southwest of Santiago with interesting redish lava. There is a large saltwater lagoon with flamingos and a colony of pelicans. Isla Rabida is actually the best place to see breeding pelicans. You dive on the western side of the island (West Cove) and the north (North Point), where it drops down to over 30m. There is a large colony of sea lions and you can of course also encounter them underwater. Eagle rays, white-tip and Galapagos sharks, schools of salema and sea turtles are also seen here. The place is also good for observing marine iguanas feeding underwater

Bartolomé island (2)

his small island located just off Sullivan Bay east of Santiago. Bartolome, a desolate island with few plants is the most visited and most photographed island in the Galapagos. The island consists of an extinct volcano and a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations.

The best known of the island's features is the tuff cone known as Pinnacle Rock. This large black partially eroded lava formation was created when magma expelled from the volcano reached the sea. When the seawaters cooled the hot lava it caused an explosion. The exploded particles eventually fasten together forming a rock composed of thin layers.

Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock has become one of the best recognized and most photographed sights in the islands. A prominent sight it was used as a target for US airmen during WWII. Lying beside the Pinnacle Rock are twin half moon shaped beaches.

The northern beach is a popular snorkeling site where visitors have the opportunity to swim with fish, sea lions and Galapagos Penguins. Much larger animals can be found near the southern beach including stingrays, spotted eagle rays, white-tipped sharks, and black-tipped sharks.

Little vegetation grows in this barren place. Mangroves border the beach and the small shrub tiguilia grows in the volcanic sands. The seeds and tiny white flowers of the chamaesycae provide food for the island's finch. These plants are common to arid regions and are able to survive in these harsh volcanic conditions.

Seasonally Bartolome is the mating and nesting site for the green sea turtles. Very little was once known of these enchanting creatures of the sea. They lived secretive lives only surfacing to breathe. In recent years, sea turtles have been the subjects of a variety of international studies.

The pacific green sea turtle frequents the Galapagos Islands mating in the waters and laying eggs in the sands of the beaches. Green sea turtles do not mate for life or form bonds with their mates. Both the males and females of the species have many partners each season. Peak mating occurs between November and January.

Females come ashore at night during high tide to lay more than 80 eggs at a time. The female may lay eggs 8 times per season. The female comes ashore and digs a pit with her flippers near the high water mark. After laying the eggs she covers them with sand before returning to the sea. The process takes 3 to 4 hours.

The temperature of the incubation determines the sex of the young turtles. Eggs incubated at 82ºF will be males and those incubated at 90ºF will become females. The eggs hatch in approximately 2 months. Very few of the hatchlings survive their first year of life. Eggs are vulnerable to pigs and goats, as well as the natural predator the trox suberosus beetle. Sea birds prey on the young turtles making their way from their nests to the sea. Once in the water orcas, sharks and crabs feed on the turtles. With the high mortality rate and disappearing nesting grounds around the world green sea turtles are now an endangered species and the Galapagos breeding grounds is an important area for the preservation of these creatures.

Summit Trail (2)

Begins with a rock and concrete pathway. The walk continues through volcanic sand, which can be slow to cross. Once through the sand the steep ascent continues up a wooden stairway. From landing to top the walk takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

The volcanic landscape on the journey up seems barren except for the lava lizards scurrying about. Further up volcanic spatter cones with deep red, gleaming blacks and intense greens can be seen on both sides of the trail. The spatter cones and lava tubes give the feeling that you are hiking on the moon rather than an island in the Pacific.

Arriving at the top you are treated to one of the great panoramic views in the Galapagos. To the distance the islands of Santiago, Santa Cruz, Baltra, North Seymour, Rabida as well as a number of rocks and small inlets can be seen. The islands vary in color from a bright orange, to blacks and greens. The turquoise waters and white shores add to the incredible seen. The eroded pinnacle rock stands at the end of the island poising for pictures.

It's easy to see why this is one of the most popular photographic spots in all the islands.

Down below you will find the jutting Pinnacle Rock. You can dive or snorkel around this rock but also at the East Point. Already close to the beach you will find sea anemones, sea urchins and I even saw an octopus while snorkeling in the northern bay. While diving you will find morays and schools of the Panamic sergeant major (Abudefduf troschelii – Fishbase) and the Bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus – Fishbase) on the walls, slopes, overhangs and around the caverns and crevices

Baltra (11)

During World War II, Baltra was established as a US Air Force Base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the Pacific for enemy submarines, and protected the mouth of the Panama Canal. After the war the facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues as an official military base.

Until 1986, Baltra was the only airport serving the Galapagos. Now one of two airports, those passengers arriving on Tame will land here. Upon arrival passengers must show their passport, INGALA Visitor Control Card and pay their Galapagos Park Fees (or the receipt of paid park fees) at the kiosk. Their hand luggage will then be inspected to insure no foreign plants or animals are being imported.

Once these formalities are completed arriving visitors on cruises or pre-arranged tours are the met by their naturalist-guide or other crewmember holding a sign with the name of the boat. A short bus ride from the airport is the harbor where the boats wait for passengers to begin their tours. Baltra does not have any visitor sites.

Diving Around Baltra (South Seymour) (11)

On Baltra is the main airport of the Galapagos, where flights from Ecuador mainland land. There are two islands north of Baltra, the small island Mosquera and the larger North Seymour with narrow channels separating them. This area offers superb diving (if the visibility is fine). Google Earth pictures: Baltra, Mosquera, Seymour

North Seymour (10)

North Seymore: We did several dives on the northeastern part of Seymore, some starting just at the corner, some a bit more south. You dive on a rocky slope and end up in the shallower area close to the island. Jacks, manta rays, eagle rays, marble rays, stingrays and even hammerhead sharks and marlins have been seen here. There are also lots of reef fishes like Yellowtail grunts and bluestriped snappers (rayado) and salemas in schools. Since there are a lot of fish here, you can often observe birds like boobies diving into the water from above and swimming down to catch them and of course there are also sea lions here.

Seymour Channel (to the south) can be an excellent dive site. The area is not very deep (about 20m) but sometimes there is quite a lot of current. You start from the eastern corner and following the major currents, you dive relatively fast over the rock plateau. Galapagos sharks cruise around and there are fish everywhere. There is a large sandy area at 15m with a colony of endemicgarden eels and white tipped reef sharks sleeping. You finish the dive either over this sandy area or you cruise along the slope of Seymore and end up north of the beach.

Mosquera (20)

Mosquera is a large sand bank which lies north to south on a shallow area between Baltra and Seymore. There are two dive sites, West Beach and East Mosquera. Check dives are done here frequently because it lies close to Baltra.

East Mosquera: You start in the southeast corner and then go to the north. The eastern side forms a vertical wall with large boulders, the top is around 15 to 22 meters. You start your dive on a slope with boulders which at some places gives way to a mini wall and then reach a drop off where you usually find schools of grunts and snappers. The current comes from the east most of the time and can be quite strong in the channels north and south of Mosquera.

West Beach: There is a large colony of sea lions on the western sandbar.

Daphne island (Mayor and Minor) (9)

Daphne Mayor: Here you dive in the south on a flat slope with large rocks between. It is worth to go close to the island on the last part of the dive, because there are areas with corals and with sea urchins, sea stars and everything is covered with cardinal fishes. We saw manta rays, green turtles, Almaco Jacks, sea lions, yellowtail grunts, large flag cabrilla and lots of blue striped snappers. Sometimes sharks and eagle rays are also seen here. Google Earth pictures: Daphne

Daphne Minor: You can dive around the smaller of the two islands in one dive, specially if the currents help you part of the way. This is mostly wall diving, though there is a shallower plateau where you can make your safety stop. The walls are nicely covered with black corals and Gorgonians. A lot of small fish hiding there, marine turtles and sea lions join you and Gringos (Creole fish) school close to the rocks.

Piedra Ahogada (Drowned Rock): I heard, that this is a place, that pieces of machinery and small lead bombshells are lying around, probably from the U.S. Air Force which had a base on the Galapagos during World War II. It is said that this rock was much larger before it was used for target practice by the U.S. Air Force. Close to Daphne there is a dive site Tiburon Arecho (Horny Shark) which is a seamount that peaks at about 16m.

Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) (23)

Located near the center of the archipelago, Santa Cruz is the center of tourism in the Galapagos. Its close proximity to Baltra airport makes the island readily accessible. Puerto Ayora the largest settlement in the Galapagos is the homeport to many yachts, as well as home to the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station making it included as part of most cruise itineraries.

Santa Cruz's human development began in the 20th century, between WWI and WWII settlers from the United States and Europe moved to the area. Santa Cruz made a perfect destination. A large island with a variety of geology, wildlife and vegetation, all of the Galapagos life zones are present on Santa Cruz. The villages of Bellavista and Santa Rosa were established in the highland's humid zone. This region made prime farmland for the new immigrants who planted avocados, coffee, sugarcane, bananas, oranges, lemons, and farmed cattle.

Though the presence of humans and introduced animals has affected Santa Cruz, day trips from Puerto Ayora offer visitors many interesting sites.

Wild Galapagos Tortoises roam free crashing through the mist covered guayabillo, pega pega, and grasses of the humid zone. Flycatchers, Darwins finches and owl fill the scalesia forests near Los Gremlos. Almost every bird found in the archipelago has been seen within the many life zones on Santa Cruz.

The coastal region offers spectacular scenery. On the north shore of the island, accessible only by sea, is an extensive mangrove lagoon called Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove). Here among the mangroves turtle enjoy swimming in the calm waters, peaking their heads above the surface while fish, rays and small sharks circle below. A land iguana colony makes the northern Conway Bay their home. Sea lions cover Eden Island and almost every beach on Santa Cruz has their share of marine iguanas. Puerto Ayora along the southern shore is lined with cactus, marine iguanas, pelicans and boobies co-existing with tourist boats, restaurants, small hotels and houses.

Gordon's Rock (12)

Gordon's Rocks (Roca Gordon) is said to be one of the best dive sites around Santa Cruz. The rocks lie a short distance north of the Plazas islands off the east coast of Santa Cruz. You dive in remnants of an old crater about 100m across. There are two large crescent shaped rocks on the north and south (the rim), and a smaller rock with a channel and 3 underwater pinnacles in the west. In the middle of the area lies another pinnacle jutting up to about 17m. You can dive on all sides of the crater, both inside (sandy area) and out (vertical walls, very deep). Currents can be very strong here, the local name for the dive site is La Lavadora (washing machine). Since there are often heavy currents, eddies and down currents, swells and surge (specially inside the caldera) and the water is deep, this dive site is not for beginners.

We did several dives here and depending on the current we started the dive either along the wall or with a visit to the pinnacle in the middle. This pinnacle is beautifully covered with black corals. At the top are large clouds of endemic blacktip cardinal fishes (Apogon atradorsatus) covering everything. After you take a good look around you should start towards the three pinnacles in the northwest which connect the rocks underwater. They jut up to nearly the surface (6-2m) with deeper channels (15m) between. There is always some current and swell here, but it is easy to shelter on the lee side. Channels, crannies and cracks run down the rock, good places to see stingrays and sleeping reef sharks. On our dives we literally swam in fish soup, sometimes you felt like you had to push the fish away! You can also dive on the outer side of the rock, here it drops nearly vertically down to several hundred meters. There is a good chance for schools of hammerheads, whitetips and Galapagos sharks, amberjacks and pompano, eagle rays and golden cowrays, marlins and green turtles. This is also a good place to observe fur seals underwater.

Check out all the dive operators first, before you choose one. Some have relatively slow boats, some have better equipment than others. All dive sites are within easy reach of Puerto Ayora, the dive sites in the sheltered bay are also good for beginners and since they lie close to Puerto Ayora, they are very convenient for the dive operators. These dive sites are interesting, but there are better dive sites further north (for example Gordon Rock). The visibility there is also better than in the Bay itself. Outside of the bay there can be strong currents, but there is a better chance to see sharks and other large pelagic fishes. Google Earth pictures: Puerto Ayora

Coamaño Island (Caamaño) (14) is a small island just outside the bay. An easy dive. Sea lions join you as soon as you enter the water. There are also marine iguanas and tropical fishes.

Punta Estrada (Sea Turtle Canyon) is a point to the west of Academy bay. Waves and currents are quite moderate here. You can see stingrays, marine iguanas feeding, sea lions, green sea turtles, golden rays, whitetip reef sharks. If you go to the east side of the point where a channel leads towards the mangroves you might also see pelicans which dive into the shallow waters there.

El Bajo Solmar, a nice dive site which lies in the south of the Academy bay. A bajo (Spanish for low) is the name for a submerged shoal. Around these places usually a lot of fish gather. You might find whitetip sharks, morays, eagle rays, stingrays and turtles.

Punta Nuñez Cliffs lie to the east of Academy bay. I read it is wall diving and there is even a cave.

Nameless Rock (Isla Sin Nombre) (8)

Nameless Rock lies to the west of Santa Cruz towards Pinzon, it is actually only a single large rock! It is a difficult dive on a steep wall with strong currents, down currents and surge. It is worth it, though, you might see Galápagos sharks, schools of pelagic fish, turtles and rays and there are sponges and small corals on the rocks. Only for experienced divers.

Guy Fawkes Island (7)

The Guy Fawkes island are two crescent-shaped islands and two small rocks and lie to the northwest of the coast of Santa Cruz. Diving here is easy with not much current.

Pinzon (Duncan) (24)

Isla Pinzon lies on the northwest side of Santa Cruz. The dive sites here are not so well known, beacuse the island is visited infrequently. Currents can be a bit tricky and the dive sites are quite deep. There is an underwater plateau where you can find eagle rays, mantas, marine turtles, eels, seahorses and lobsters. In the shallow area near the tower rocks you might also find horn sharks and red-lipped batfishes (Ogcocephalus darwini).

Santa Fé (Barrington) (17)

There are three dive sites around Santa Fe island, the Lagoon, La Botella and the Caves (a cavern with a tunnel).

La Botella: The dive site lies on the west of Santa Fé close to a sandy bay where you can anchor. This is a very easy dive, no current at all, so the dive center we dived with traditionally goes there on Sunday mornings – so if the guests still have a hangover from Saturday night they can still manage this dive! You dive along a slope over boulders with black coral bushes. We saw a couple seals and rays and a large school of yellowtail surgeon fishes (Prionurus laticlavius). There are also small nudibranchs (Tambja mullineri) and hawkfishes and small colorful gobies are found between the rocks.

Some Content Courtesy Teresa Zubi

A – Understand your Audience / Consumers

Get Pure Data:

Remember the best information you can get from consumers is unpolluted and not subjective. Pure ethnographic research is always the best starting point. Being able to create a strategy for seeing how people use products in context of their lifestyle is critical to identifying new opportunities and validating design assumptions. Here is the classic examples: If you were to ask men how many of them washed their hands after leaving a washroom; 10/10 would tell you they did. If you actually observed them you would find that only 7/10 actually washed their hands. As designers we must see past the data. Phase two would be to understand why people do and do not wash their hands. We need to understand motivations – Time, efficiency, fear, naive….

Educate your Key Stakeholders

Designers must educate key stakeholders on personas as design tools. Personas are archetypes based on research and contextual inquiries that designers use in crafting experiences. They are a snapshot that communicates a target consumers motivations for behaviour. Marketing demographics only tell you who owns the lexus, not why they bought it. You must understand a consumers behaviour in order to properly validate brand strategies and tailor products and services to work with consumer lifestyles.

Remember the differences between Usable and Ease of Use

Remember each system, product or service has a learning curve. This learning curve directly corresponds to the value vs investment model in your consumers mind. If something is easy to use, you have simplified your solutions to be clear, easy to navigate and highly learnable. If you are designing a system, product or service that has layers of meaning and features you must ensure the education and learning curves compliment the users motivations and end goals.

Understand Mental Models & Usability

Usability is the degree to which a tool is easy to use and understand. Products such as lego are easy to use because they conform to our understanding of the world. A mental model is the user’s thought process for how something works. When something works with our existing mental models we find it easy to use. When something forces us to make new mental models we find it hard to use. You want to leverage what consumers already know in order to make things easy to use.

Provide Reward

Many experiences are serendipitous or exploratory in nature. Games are based on one simple concept. As humans we like to learn, and being able to test and validate this is a rewarding way equals fun. Understanding how to properly reward your consumers during each learning cycle is key. Games have done this well for years and these systems are being built into almost every product experience we interact with today. Understanding and incorporating game design systems should be apart of your design cycle.

Create Meaningful Experiences

Users demand experiences more than basic experiences. This transcendes from products and services being functional, affordable, emotional, aspirational, and meaningful. Many interactive and communication design pieces are very good at completing the first three layers, but moving beyond requires a strong brand and sustained product strategy that considers your consumers life goals and lifestyle. The best example is the Wii Fit. A company that has always prided themselves on innovation, has a great brand and now creates experiences that reward, educate and align with the life goals of the user.  Wii Consumers: Experience  Alignment- I enjoy games, I am intimidated by complex controls,  I like social experiences. Goal Alignment – I want to achieve, I want to loose weight, I want more information about my fitness level,  I want to feel good about my self, I want more self confidence…. All this from a single experience. No wonder it has grossed more than two billion worldwide.

The Pareto Principle or Efficiency

Based on the 80/20 principle. 80% of  effects come from 20% of the people. There are many applications of this.

• If you create a product or service only 20% of your designs will be utilized by your designers. You can focus on usability issues here.
• As a designer it can take you 20% of the time to be 80% complete, where the final 20% can take 80% of the time

User Testing

Remember you can quickly validate your designs. By testing on 8 people who fit your persona profile you can assume it works for 85% of your user base.

B – Understand the Business

Have Clear Success Metrics

Often overlooked but the critical success metric is usually the business driver. Consumers can enjoy products but if it is not viable in the marketplace then unless you are creating something as a loss leader to sustain future growth. Get clarity on what success looks like and get sign off from all key stakeholders. The requirements gathering phase is often the most complex.

Have a Plan – Agreement

The world of project management is often the thorn in the sides of creatives, but without project plans designers would never truly understand the constraints / limitations of a project. Design is hard, and the best designers can create meaningful experiences while considering many business, technological and consumer constraints. Your project plan / charter is your agreement on what you are going to create. Review these and physically sign these off in your stakeholder meetings.

Price Accordingly

Design has a lot of overhead. Design project consider resources / talent, computers, software, specialized equipment, locations, releases, fees, dues, consumables, printing, typefaces, stock art, building leases, insurance, etc. The number one mistake is small companies or freelancers charge too little for their services. Use your experience, leverage your project plan and provide clear, ethical estimates.

Understand the Competition

Understanding where the product  your creating sits relative to another product or service is critical to the success. Remember to complete  a heuristic analysis, where you consider, navigation, links and labels, readability, learnability, search engine results, performance, content, and relevance. In addition you can provide traditional SWOT  analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats.) remember the key to everything is understand the opportunity. I am a big fan of perceptual mapping when it comes to identifying opportunities.

Understand the Business Model

Also understanding which business model your using is important. Are you bringing new products to new consumers (pioneering) or bringing a new product to existing consumers (sustaining) or and existing product to new consumers (sustaining) or an existing  product  to existing users (saturating.) This is usually a collaborative effort between the business and consumer insight teams.

Have Clear Functional Specifications – Leverage Analytics

Understand what things the user will be able to do. Then understand which mediums, platforms, and technologies you want to use. This includes target resolutions, frame rates, performance, browser compatibility etc. Use Google Analytics or other performance tracking software to validate design solutions.

C – Understand your Creative Capacity

Understand Composition Principles

These rules have been used by photographers and architects for years.

The Rule of Thirds.

The rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

image on the left is uncropped, image on right is cropped using intersection point as reference

The Golden Ratio

Throughout history, the ratio for length to width of rectangles of 1.61803 39887 49894 84820 has been considered the most pleasing to the eye. This ratio was named the golden ratio by the Greeks. In the world of mathematics, the numeric value is called “phi”, named for the Greek sculptor Phidias. The space between the collumns form golden rectangles. There are golden rectangles throughout this structure which is found in Athens, Greece. The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion, golden mean, or golden section, is a number often encountered when taking the ratios of distances in simple geometric figures such as the pentagon, pentagram, decagon and dodecahedron.

Fibonacci sequence.

Has been an inspiration in design and mathematics. You will find it in may classic design pieces. The easiest explanation is that the next number in the sequence is reached by adding the previous 2 (starting with 0 and 1). Here is a small sample of the Fibonacci sequence so you can see how that works. 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21… and so on. The easiest way to work with the concept of the Fibonacci sequence is actually by using the Golden Ratio because the higher the Fibonacci sequence gets the closer it’s numbers get to the Golden Ratio. Another benefit to using the Golden Ratio as opposed to the Fibonacci sequence is that the Golden Ratio can be applied to any number and many times in design we are stuck with certain dimensions. For instance we may be designing for an 800×600 display and we want to make our layout work with the Golden Ratio. We would simply multiply 800 x .6180339887 and come up with 494.

Swiss Grid Systems

Grid systems are the foundation of a interactive designers layout for a website, kiosk or other interface based system. Originally made famous by Josef Müller-Brockmann. A Swiss graphic designer and teacher who studied architecture, design and history of art at and had a studio specialising in graphic design, exhibition design and photography. This style in art, architecture and culture became an ‘international’ style after 1950’s and it was produced by artists all around the globe. It is a grid based layout that looks at uniformity and geometry (experiment and explore with combinations of geometric shapes, contrast, and striking abstract visuals.) A composition that uses a grid system considers whitespace and typography. Text based compositions are allowed to breath and work seamlessly with photographs and layers of visuals to create powerful messages. To learn more about Swiss Style Graphic Design, check out this great article from Smashing Magazine

Understand Interface Principles

The interface is the layer between the user and the system.The interaction designer determines how the interface will work. The interface designer determines how the interface will look, feel and respond.

Affordances

Affordances are possible actions that are easily perceivable by the user. Shape, contrast and visual cues communicate what is possible within the interface and world (system.)

Conventions

Conventions utilize what users already understand this also supports affordance. A convention is a constraint in that it prohibits some activities and encourages others.

Feedback

Feedback lets the user know what just happened, or that something is possible. Proper feedback is critical when providing rewarding experiences. Feedback considers your content inventory for buttons and interactive elements. There are usually- active, inactive, hover (on rollover,) visited states. Designers often overlook how much feedback influences an experience.

Fitts Law

Is a model of human movement in human–computer interaction and ergonomics that predicts that the time required to rapidly move to a target area is a function of the distance to and the size of the target. Fitts's law is used to model the act of pointing, either by physically touching an object with a hand or finger, or virtually, by pointing to an object on a computer monitor using a pointing device. It was proposed by Paul Fitts in 1954.

Screens of Information

Understand the mediums where the content will be displayed and which information is most important

Wayfinding

Wayfinding is how users know where they are, where they can go,and how to get there. Good wayfinding makes the interface more usable.

CTA – Calls to Action

A Call To Action is an element of the interface that tries to entice the user to do something such as register purchase, or click on an item.

Author – Miles Nurse Copyright © Transient Pod - If you would like to understand how we can put this to work for you please feel free to contact us using the link at the bottom of the page.

The momentum continues to build in opposition to shark finning with the introduction of Assembly Bill 376 in California. This piece of legislation is similar to the legislation passed in Hawaii, banning the possession, sale, distribution, and use of shark fins. This fills the gap left in the federal laws that prohibit shark finning within U.S. waters, but allow sale and distribution.

AB 376 was introduced by Assemblymen Paul Fong and Jared Huffman. I had the opportunity to come to know Assemblyman Huffman when my documentary, Island of the Great White Shark, played in the state capitol in 2010. At the time, Huffman and Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher were keenly interested in shark conservation. I'm glad to see the interest did not wane since then.

I have included a link to Pete Thomas' excellent post on the subject of AB 376. Of particular interest to me were two of the responses to his post. Both brought up the issue of Asian culture and seafood, which I discussed in a recent post. One comment, apparently from an Asian reader, brought up the cultural issue by questioning the right of non-Asians to tell Asians what to do regarding shark consumption – a perfect example of the cultural defensiveness that can crop up regarding this issue.

The other comment appeared to dismiss the Asian argument to use shark fins based on the fact that shark fin soup was a once delicacy reserved for royalty, but no longer. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that the demand for shark fin soup and other shark products has never been greater because what was once a luxury item for royalty is now consumed by Asia's growing middle-class. Shark fin soup can readily be found in cans or in the freezer section of many Asian markets, not just royal palaces.

As AB 376 moves forward, whatever resistance it experiences will be fronted by economic arguments but the independence or defiance of a culture steeped in a broad use of all types of seafood will, for some, be bubbling just below the surface.

Read Pete Thomas' post in Outdoors, action and adventure.

Thanks to RTSea for this post content

Conservation is a broad, multi-faceted issue and its implementation, or lack of, goes beyond the saving of a particular species or ecosystem. There are social and economic implications that also come into play, making it much more than simply a call to “save the sharks” or “save the rainforest”.

I have had the pleasure of being approached by publishers and distributors to do reviews of nature or conservation books and DVDs, but one caught my attention on my own that methodically lays out the varied aspects of conservation in a way that is detailed yet easy for even the most uninitiated on the subject to understand. The Atlas of Global Conservation, prepared by The Nature Conservancy and authored by experts in the field, takes on the expansive topic of conservation by leading the reader through its many components step-by-step, leading towards actions being taken, solutions, and what lies ahead.

First, the book breaks it all down: global eco-regions; habitats like forests, grasslands, coastal and coral reef marine habitats and more; then the whole range of species including plants, mammals, freshwater and marine creatures, reptiles and amphibians, and others. Each are portrayed globally, well-defined on maps that show concentrations and distribution.

Then the book turns to the issues that are at work which brought about the need for conservation in the first place: the human population, consumption, climate change, habitat loss through development, and so on. When individually identified and illustrated globally, it is staggering to see the impact that one species, mankind, is having on the planet.

But this is not a doomsday volume. The Atlas of Global Conservation identifies where and how action is being taken, from land and marine protected areas to economic-based solutions that benefit both developing societies and industrial nations. The book identifies the larger issues of international cooperation while also noting the specific efforts being done by individuals and groups to restore wetlands, forests, and coral reefs.

“In 528 AD, the Roman emperor Justinian declared that his empire's rivers, streams, and surrounding lands should be protected, because, together with the air, running water, the sea and seashore, they were ‘common to all mankind.' It was a novel idea at the time: that the state should help protect nature as opposed to private property.”

It may have taken fifteen hundred years to bring us to where we are today, but we have always known deep down that conservation needed to be part of our existence, in harmony with our personal aspirations and accomplishments. The Atlas of Global Conservation neatly shows any one, regardless of their current knowledge on the subject, just where we are, what we are faced with, and perhaps most importantly, what we can do about it.

No one has ever tried to collect everything we know about nature on planet Earth — until now.

Pick up a traditional atlas and you’ll find ample information on political boundaries and common landforms such as mountains and deserts. National capitals are easy enough to find.

But try to locate the salt marsh capital of the world?
Find the epicenters of bird diversity?
Identify the largest intact grasslands?
For the purposes of conservation, these books hold few answers.

Available at Amazon.com.

The Galapagos is an extremely sensitive and protected part of the world. Over the past decade there have been numerous changes to live-aboard, land tour and diving permits. Also most live-aboard companies are only booking agencies with boats holding their brand name. A lot of these boats are franchises. From time to time boats will change ownership and be removed from fleets. When I went to the Galapagos I booked almost three years in advance, and we where some of the last divers allowed to dive during a re-assessment phase in the middle of 2010.

Isabela and Fernandina

The western islands take you to the youngest of the Galapagos Islands – Fernandina and Isabela. These islands are still in the process of formation and are home to the only active volcanoes in the Galapagos Islands. Visiting the area you'll learn about how the islands were born of fire and how they developed over the years. Stark black lava fields cover much of these islands only pioneer plants such as cactus and mangroves that require little nutrients or soil survive.

Here near the western Galapagos Islands the ocean has the most nutrients due to upwelling. The marine life is abundant and the wildlife that lives on these islands is dependent on the sea. The western islands are the best place in the Galapagos Islands for whale and dolphin encounters. Much of the wildlife that lives in the western islands is endemic to Galapagos Islands . These species adapted to survive in the harsh conditions. Over 95% of the Galapagos Penguin population lives in the western Galapagos Islands and this is the only area to see flightless cormorants.

Isabela is with 4'670km² the largest island of the Galapagos. Most of the diving is done around the north coast (Cape marshall, Punta Albermarle, Punta Vicente Roca) and at Roca Redonda (on the trip north to Wolf and Darwin). On extended trips Fernandina island is also visited but diving in some dive sites is not permitted anymore. Puerto Villamil in the south of Isabela also offers some interesting dive sites around several small islands in the surrounding. The west of Isabela is directly in the path of the Cromwell current (see map), so there is a lot of upwelling cold water. Temperatures are around 20 to 24°C but can drop to 13 to 15°C (in El Niña years)! Galapagos Geology and Climate.

This area is specially interesting, since several fishes are more abundant here than elsewhere in the Galapagos islands because of the cold water, such as the Galapagos horned shark, the Galapagos rock bass (Camotillo), the goldrimmed surgeonfish, the harlequin wrasse or the sailfin grouper (Bacalao). Fernandina is very isolated and has endemic species seen nowhere else on the Galapagos, such as the flightless cormorant or – in the water -the endemic Galapagos Grunt (Orthopristis forbesi) and the White Salema (Xenichthys agassizi).

Isabela and Fernandina sit directly on the mantle hot spot and are geologically very active with 7 large volcanoes. Fernandina is one huge shield volcano with a large caldera and many lava flows. On Isabela there have been at least 13 eruptions since 1911, five of them at Cerro Azul and just 1998 a kilometer long crack opened and fountains of lava erupted to several hundred meters height, and three eruptions at Santo Tomas (Sierra Negra – black mountain) volcano in the south and five of them at the Wolf volcano in the north.

Isabela is also interesting for its flora and fauna. The young island does not follow the vegetation zones of the other islands. The relatively new lava fields and surrounding soils have not developed the sufficient nutrients required to support the varied life zones found on other islands. Another obvious difference occurs on Volcan Wolf and Cerro Azul, these volcanoes loft above the cloud cover and are arid on top.

Isabela's rich animal, bird, and marine life is beyond compare. Isabela is home to more wild tortoises than all the other islands. Isabela's large size and notable topography created barriers for the slow moving tortoises; apparently the creatures were unable to cross lava flows and other obstacles, causing several different sub-species of tortoise to develop. Today tortoises roam free in the calderas of Alcedo, Wolf, Cerro Azul, Darwin and Sierra Negra.

Alcedo Tortoises spend most of their life wallowing in the mud at the volcano crater. The mud offers moisture, insulation and protects their exposed flesh from mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. The giant tortoises have a mediocre heat control system requiring them to seek the coolness of the mud during the heat of the day and the extra insulation during the cool of the night.

When tortoises reach 20 to 25 years of age they become sexually active. Beginning approximately a month before the end of the rainy season the tortoises mate, after mating the females set out on a journey to lay their eggs. Alcedo females venture down to the sandy shores of Urbina Bay building nests in the sand. The female digs a hole with its hind legs approximately (30cm) deep. Once she is please with the hole she deposits between 2 and 16 eggs then covers the eggs with a layer of mud and urine before starting her journey back up the mountain. Baby tortoise take between 120 – 140 days to hatch usually happening between December and April.

On the west coast of Isabela the nutrient rich Cromwell Current upwelling creating a feeding ground for fish, whales, dolphin and birds. These waters have long been known as the best place to see whales in the Galapagos. Some 16 species of whales have been identified in the area including humpbacks, sperms, sei, minkes and orcas. During the 19th century whalers hunted in these waters until the giant creatures were near extinction. The steep cliffs of Tagus Cove bare the names of many of the whaling ships and whalers which hunted in these waters.

Birders will be delighted with the offerings of Isabela. Galapagos Penguins and flightless cormorants also feed from the Cromwell Current upwelling. These endemic birds nest along the coast of Isabela and neighboring Fernandina. The mangrove finch, Galapagos Hawk, brown pelican, pink flamingo and blue heron are among the birds who make their home on Isabela.

Elizabeth Bay

Located on the west coast of Isabela, at the Perry Isthmus, Elizabeth Bay is a marine visitor site (no landings are permitted). As you visit Elizabeth Bay panga Galapagos Hawks soar overhear and schools of pompanos and dorados can be seen swimming underneath you. Your panga brings you to Las Marielas the small islets just outside the bay and home to the largest concentration of Galapagos penguins living in the islands. This is one of the island's breeding site for penguins. The ride continues into a red mangrove cove. The panga passes through the red root and green leaf breeding ground for fish and sea turtles. Brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays and sea lions are often seen.

Tagus Cove

Lying directly east of Fernandina on the west coast approximately 2/3′s of the way up Isabela is the narrow channel of Tagus Cove. Arriving here the boat will sail through the Bolivar Channel, these are the coldest most productive waters in the Galapagos, the upwelling of the Cromwell Current, where dolphins and whales are frequently seen. Tagus Cove, named for the British naval vessel that moored here in 1814, was used historically as an anchorage for pirates and whalers. One can still find the names of the ships carved into the rock above the landing (a practice now prohibited). The coves quiet waters make for an ideal panga ride beneath its sheltered cliffs, where blue-fitted boobies, brown noddies, pelicans and noddy terns make their nests, and flightless cormorants and penguins inhabit the lava ledges.

From the shore, a wooden stairway rises to the dusty trail passing through the paleo santo forests to reach the perfectly round saltwater crater, Darwin Lake. Continuing on the trail around the lake through a dry vegetation zone, and then climbs inland to a promontory formed by spatter cones. The site provides spectacular views back towards the anchorage in the bay, as well as Darwin Volcano and Wolf Volcano farther north.

Urbina Bay

Lying at the foot of Alcedo Volcano, south of Tagus Cove, is Urvina Bay (Urbina Bay) one of the best and the most recent example of geological uplift in the Galapagos. Uplift occurs when the molten materials beneath the surface shifts. In 1954 the shoreline was uplifted nearly 15 feet (4 meters). The coastline was driven 3/4 of a mile further out to sea, exposing giant coral heads and stranding marine organisms on what was now on shore. A Disney film crew visited the site shortly afterwards and discovered skeletons of sharks, sea turtles and lobsters unable to find the ocean from the rapidly rising land. Schools of fish were found stranded in newly formed tide pools. Boulder sized coral heads can be seen near the area that once was the beach. The uplifting of Urbina Bay was followed by an eruption of Alcedo a few weeks later.

Seasonally Urvina Bay provides a nesting area for many of the Galapagos creatures. Female tortoises journey down from Alcedo to lay their eggs in the sand. Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and brown pelicans nest in the area as well.

The visit begins with a wet landing on the white sand beach. Difficulty of the route varies by season. The trail ranges from stark and easily passable during the dry season to mildly challenging requiring wading to pass during the rainy season. Visitors cross the uplifted region learning about this geological wonder. Then reach the sandy area that was once the beach. Shorter visits return to the landing point on the same path, while longer visits continue past the coral heads and new beach.

Other highlights of this site include marine iguanas and some of the largest land iguanas in the islands, and Galapagos Cotton an endemic plant, historians believe the Incas brought to the islands, while naturalist theorize it floated across from Peru.

Punta Moreno

A colorful part to any tour located on the western shore of Isabela, Punta Moreno is often the first or last stopping point on the island (depending on the direction the boat is heading). Punta Moreno is a place where the forces of the Galapagos have joined to create a work of art. The tour starts with a panga ride along the beautiful rocky shores where Galapagos penguins and shore birds are frequently seen. After a dry landing the path traverses through jagged black lava rock. As the swirling black lava flow gave way to form craters, crystal tide pools formed-some surrounded by mangroves. This is a magnet for small blue lagoons, pink flamingos, blue herons, and Bahama pintail ducks. Brown pelican can be seen nesting in the green leaves of the mangroves. You can walk to the edge of the lava to look straight down on these pools including the occasional green sea turtle, white-tipped shark and puffer fish.

This idyllic setting has suffered from the presence of introduced species. Feral dogs in the area are known to attack sea Lions and marine iguanas.

Puta Albemarle

At Isabela's remote northern tip reminisce of a US WWII radar base lines the shore. The rough seas and pounding surf make it difficult for visitors to do much more than see the water barrels left behind.

Those fortunate enough to go ashore at Punta Albemarle are able to see that the site is much more. It is the nesting site for flightless cormorants and home to a colony of the largest marine iguanas in the islands.

Punta Garcia

Located on the eastern coast, across the Isabela Channel from James Island. Previously the site was only accessible by panga, the park service now permits land visits. Arriving at Punta Garcia begins with a dry landing in some rough current causing the panga and passengers to get wet. This is the only visitor site on Isabela reachable without sailing around the west coast.

Darwin Volcano looms above this barren landscape covered with aa lava. Just above the shoreline flightless cormorants used to be seen breeding between March and September. The birds now seem to have deserted the site leaving an occasional brown pelican behind.

Sierra Negra Volcano

Located in the southern part of Isabela between the volcanoes Alcedo and Cerro Azul. Sierra Negra's caldera at 6 miles x 5 miles is the largest in the Galapagos and the second largest in the world.

The journey up to the crater begins at Puerto Villamil. From the town of Villamil you follow the road to the small town of Santo Tomas where if you have arranged to go via horseback – your horse will be waiting. Whether on foot or by horse the trip takes between 3 – 5 hours. The landscape along the way is quite lovely. Once on top there are a series of fumaroles inside small craters. The view during the “rainy season” is quiet spectacular.

Roca Redonda

Roca Redonda is located off the northwest tip of Isabela Island, separated by about a 30km stretch of very deep water. This is the tip of a submarine shield volcano that rises nearly 3000m from the sea floor and emerges from the water as an island. The underwater area of this volcano is said to be about 18 kilometers wide. The island is about 300 meters high with steep cliffs and a flat top. Several lava flows can be observed on the island and in the shallow water and there are various caves. Seabirds live here, for example the swallow tailed gulls (Larus furcatus). These gulls are endemic to the Galapagos and the world's only night-feeding gull. It has unusual large eyes and feeds on squids that come to the surface, usually about 15-30km distance from the nearest land.

This dive site is visited either on the way up to Wolf and Darwin in the north or as part of a tour around Isabela. The water temperatures are very low here, because of the cold Cromwell current. Diving can be difficult because of the strong currents, unpredictable downcurrents, eddies and the heavy surge. If conditions are not right, your dive guide might advise you against diving. Be prepared when diving in the Galapagos. Read this article to learn more

You dive around several underwater rocks and pinnacles always accompanied by sea lions. This is a good place to find schools of scalloped hammerheads, yellow tailed surgeonfishes, barracudas, jacks, Galapagos grunts and king angelfishes. Galapagos sharks and whitetips, mantas, and even the huge sunfish visit this remote place. With luck you can also find sea horses among the rocks in the shallows.

A special attraction is on the Southeast Side of the island. There are several underwater fumaroles (steam vents) in the shallows (12 to 18m) and you can see gas bubbles rising to the surface which indicate that the volcano is probably still active. I have visited a place similar to this in Siau, Indonesia, where there was hot sand and so many bubbles, it looked like a curtain, and found, that some species of marine animals grow much larger because of the abundance of some minerals. Anayway – it's also just interesting to touch hot rocks below the water and swim among bubbles…

Northeast Isabela

Punta Albemarle lies on the very northern tip of Isabela. Rocky volcanic cliffs drop down to the ocean floor as almost vertical walls. You might see large animals like manta rays, marbled rays, hammerhead sharks and marine turtles, but also Chevron barracuda, snappers, yellow fin tuna, rainbow runners, wahoo and groupers. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like creole fishes, parrotfishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific boxfishes and tiger snake eels.

Cape Marshall (Puerto Egas) lies on the eastern side of Isabela island. You dive where a huge lava stream from the Wolf volcano stopped flowing into the ocean. The lava breaks off abruptly and forms a very steep slope with boulders and lava ridges. Cover is sparsely with some black corals. Dependig on the prevalent current you dive along either from north to south or vice versa.

This is a good place for mantas, mobula rays and eagle rays but also for the occasional shark, yellowfin tuna and sealion. We saw several huge mantas close by – one of them black on the top as well as on the belly – but the most impressive sight was the school of mobula, probably at least 50 animals, that we met several times. As we swam out into the blue, they were suddenly all around us, with quick flips they sped past us and the whole school engulfed us, mobulas in front, above, behind and on all sides! They stayed around, formed a more compact group again and let us swim along for a while. A eagle ray which also joined us only got a glimpse from us, we were so entranced from the mobula rays!

Isabela (Albemarle) West and South Side

Punta Vicente Roca lies at the northwestern point of Isabela close to the volcano Ecuador. There are two beautiful coves which lie on either side of the eroded remains of a volcanic cone. You start your dive on a shallow wall, that becomes a steep drop-off down to 50m. The wall is full of crevices and narrow shelves and is nicely covered with sponges and corals and you can find nudibranchs, crabs, slipper lobsters. There are several really interesting species of fishes living here, the red lipped batfish, frogfishes, seahorses, electric rays and the endemic camotillo. Here you can see schools of barracudas and salemas and even the occasional sunfish and marlin has been spotted here. Mostly drift diving. Night dives possible – good for crabs, shrimps and lobsters and other invertebrates.

Fernandina

The youngest of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina is approximately 700,00 years old. It's location to the west and on the far side of Isabela makes it one of the least visited islands.

It still is one of the most active (volcanically) since eruptions still may occur every few years. Which changes the landscape and life on the island. In 1968 the caldera collapsed dropping 1000 feet in a 2-week period. Eruptions in 1995 occurred from a smaller volcano located on the southwest corner of the island.

This constant state of volcanic change gives Fernandina its unique feeling. Lacking the native plants and animals of the other islands visitors obtain the feeling of being at the end of the earth.

Fernandina is home to a large colony of marine iguanas, Galapagos Penguins and flightless cormorants.

Punta Espinoza

Located on the northeast part of Fernandina the visit begins with a dry landing. If the tide is right it is possible to use a dock, otherwise the landing is made on to volcanic rock and it can be slippery. The trail to the shore can be filled with interesting obstacles including marine iguanas and mangrove branches. Once on shore there are two paths:

From the left of the landing site the trail leads into the lava fields. As the youngest of the islands, Fernandina allows visitors to view the recent volcanic activity.

The lava itself is very fragile and full of fissures, which can cause for tenuous walking conditions.

Plants are nearly devoid in this area; lava cactus seems to be one of the few plants able to survive. These small cacti live only a few years, growing in groups. The spines are yellow when young darkening with age and the flower is a creamy white visible only in the early mornings.

This Land's End trail takes you to a baron patch of land with a few mangroves and rich wildlife. Fernandina is home to the largest colony of marine iguanas. During the first half of the year the iguanas nest here by burrowing small holes in the sand.

Following the trail near the tip of the point a colony of sea lions can be seen. Male sea lions are extremely territorial and their barks warning off would-be-intruders are heard over the sound of the crashing surf.

Flightless cormorants nest in along this rocky area near the high water line, and recently Galapagos Penguins have been spotted nesting in the area.
Some Content Courtesy Teresa Zubi

A Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM Lens his on most peoples most wanted list. Especially as those of us who have friends that shoot Nikon, we have been longing for this lens announcement for sometime.

This does not replace any other lens that Canon produces. Especially the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens. A lens that I have never owned but used a few times. As versatile as it is, the push pull mechanism is flawed in the way it can blow dust on your sensor and loosen over time. Others love this lens due to it's broad zoom range, but to the more expensive telephoto primes.

This new lens will be in the super telephoto class in regards to size, weight, image quality and price.
The Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM Ext 1.4x Lens will be expensive. The Nikon 200-400mm f/4G AF-S VR II Lens currently sells for close to $7,000. Through in the extender and I could this lens costing close to $8,000.

Canon super telephoto lenses have always been the top of the L series ladder. I am sure this lens will be no different.

Size and weight next. With the built-in extender, I fully expect this lens to be at least as large as and even heavier than the Nikon 200-400. The Nikon lens is 4.88 x 14.37” (124 x 365mm) and weighs 7.4 lbs (3360g). While handholdable for very short periods of time, the Nikon 200-400 is more fun to use from a monopod or a tripod.

It is a super-telephoto Canon L Lens, so I fully expect extremely high image quality from this lens. The 100-400 has been quite good in this regard, but Canon's super-telephoto lenses have always been a class above even the other L lenses, so I expect we are going to see very impressive optical performance from this lens. Including impressive quality with the built-in 1.4x extender in use.

Let's take a closer look at the built-in extender. Since this lens is only a prototype as I write this, “look” is all we can do. And for now, looking is fun …

Following the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, there was understandable concern for a variety of species that inhabit the area, particularly those whose numbers were fragile and in decline to begin with. The Atlantic bluefin tuna was one such example, not only because its number worldwide are perilously low but because it is the Gulf of Mexico where the Western Atlantic bluefins go to spawn from March to June.

Pelagic longlining (PLL), one of commercial fishing's most indiscriminate methods, also occurs in the Gulf and with some scientists saying that as much as 20% of juvenile Atlantic bluefin tuna population was killed by the oil spill, many organizations are seeking to have the spawning grounds placed off limits to all PLL fishing during the spawning season. Their position is that, with a perilous population already weakened by the direct effects of the oil spill, to allow longlining to take place would spell disaster.

Equally as tragic is the fact that the focus of the longliners in the Gulf is not bluefin tuna. They are after the smaller yellowfin tuna, swordfish, and other species – making the bluefin merely accidental bycatch. Is it possible for the large and powerful bluefin tuna to be released if caught? Apparently not. There is a high mortality rate because the elevated levels of stress when caught, combined with the animals high metabolism and the warm waters of the Gulf, often prove fatal before any chance of release could take place.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has, to date, recommended that PLL boats use what are called “weak hooks.” These are large hooks that are constructed with a smaller diameter wire so that a large and powerful fish like a bluefin tuna will have a fighting chance because the hook will bend, allowing the fish to release itself.

According to the results of field tests with participating longliners from 2008 to 2010, the NOAA Fisheries Service “found a statistically significant reduction in the catch of bluefin tuna of 56%, but no statistically significant difference in the catch of yellowfin tuna, swordfish, dolphin fish, or escolar on weak hooks compared to traditional hooks.”

NOAA is considering making the use of weak hooks mandatory for the Gulf PPL fleet, but this has not necessarily won favor with many conservation groups concerned about the overall declining population of bluefin tuna and who have been demanding greater action on the part of ICCAT, the international body that basically regulates the tuna industry but which has continued to set annual catch levels that far exceeds levels recommended by even their own scientific panels.

Additionally, while some Atlantic Bluefin tuna would be spared by the use of weak hooks, there are countless other animals, from sharks to turtles to other unwanted bycatch, that would be needlessly killed just by virtue of the very nature of the longline technique itself.

As the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) describes it, “The pelagic longline fishery has a long history of deadly interactions with imperiled species. The weak-hook proposal acts as a stopgap measure to allow longline fishing to continue in spite of strict limits on bluefin tuna catch. Closing western Atlantic bluefin tuna breeding grounds during spawning season will not only afford bluefin tuna a greater chance to recover, but will also build a healthy ecosystem by protecting other bycatch species such as sharks, sea turtles and billfish.”

CBD is currently waging a campaign through their own efforts and that of a email letter drive to Division Chief Margo Schulze-Haugen of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service to have NOAA consider the closure. If you would like to add your voice, click here.

Read NOAA's bulletin on weak hooks.

The north of the Galapagos is practically unknown to most visitors to the Galapagos, but Wolf (Wenman) and Darwin (Culpepper), two small and remote islands that can only be reached by liveaboard vessel, are a favorite destination for divers.

Wolf and Darwin, are located 186 km and 229km, respectively northwest of the northern tip of Isabela, so most liveaboard operators only come here on their 7 to 10-day tours and then stay one or two nights. Each island is the eroded top of a volcano, that rises from about 1100m below. Both are part of an elongate volcanic ridge, the Wolf-Darwin Lineament and not of the Galapagos plateau. Wolf's lava was dated at about 400'000 years old, Darwin's lava from 900'000 to 1.6 million years old, so they are younger than the islands in the rest of the archipelago.

Only sea birds live on the two small islets, for example red-footed boobies. Red-footed boobies fish well out at sea, so they are seldom seen while diving. An interesting inhabitant is the sharp-beaked vampire finch (Geospiza difficilis / Deutsch: Spitzschnabel Grundfinken) on Wolf, who has the habit of pecking into the backs of boobies and ingesting blood from them. This feeding habit has probably developed in response to a relative paucity of food and moisture. It feeds on bird lice found in the feathers of the bobbies. They are also known to roll booby eggs out of the nest to break them and then consume the contents. Because of the remoteness it is also interesting, that an species of endemic geckos has been found on Wolf.

The trip to reach the islands is also very interesting. Whales and dolphins can be seen on the way and frigate birds are flying along with the boat. At night swallow tailed gulls (Larus furcatus) accompany you. These gulls are endemic to the Galapagos and the world's only night-feeding gull. It has unusual large eyes and feeds on squids that come to the surface and usually flies out to about about 15-30km distance from the nearest land.

(1) Darwin (Culpepper) :

Darwin is the northern most island and about 4 hours or more by boat from Wolf. Darwin is 165m high, with vertical walls and a huge rock arch in the east. There is no possibility to visit the island. This dive area is not very protected, so dive conditions can be rough with waves, surge and changing currents. The currents are normally from the southeast and split right in front of the Rock Arch but also occasionally from the north. Not for beginners! The cold Humboldt current has little effect so far north, so the water is warmer by a few degrees (Dec – April: 24°C – 27°C and May – Nov: 22°C – 25°C ) so there are different corals here, than around other islands, though also not very abundant. See Galapagos weather information.

Named for the island's most famous visitor Darwin it is 4 hours north of Wolf. As the furthest north of the islands the Humboldt Current has little effect here and the waters are warmer than in the south as such there are more corals here than the other islands. There are only a couple dive sites located southeast and north east of the arch. Darwin is about quality rather than quantity and can be overwhelming and those returning on board are in awe of this magnificent area.

Beginning with the dolphins escort to your dive site, it is easy to see why this is the best site in Galapagos. Darwin's Arch sits just above the surface on an underwater plateau. The steep barnacle covered walls drop off to the deeper ocean. Entering the water it is thick with hammerheads. At times there are so many you can't count them all. As they swim over the reef you can reach out and touch them, however easily startled by divers bubbles they will quickly change direction and spook everything around them. On the ridge side there are large schools of fish including creolefish, rainbow chub, bigeye jacks, moorish idols, mackerels, blue and gold snappers, Mexican hogfish, cornetfish, trumpetfish, parrotfish as well as Panamic green morays, turtles, flounders and octopuses. From June to November there is a very good chance to see whale sharks here – as well as tiger sharks, marlins and whales have been spotted.

(4) Darwin's Arch (Rock Arch and Underwater Rock): On the east of the island there is an underwater plateau where a prominent rock arch rises. This is the main dive site in Darwin. Depending on the currents you start either from the south and go north or vice versa. Usually part of the dive is spent over the sandy areas where the hammerhead sharks swim over in small groups. They come here to get cleaned by the Kings's angelfish (Holocanthus passer). These angelfishes rise in small groups and start picking at the hammerhead sharks, thus getting rid of their parasites. The angelfishes also clean the eat skin parasites off the jacks that venture close. Large schools of gringos also gather here, mixed with mackerels, snappers, rainbowrunners. Tunas and Jacks are hunting and the fish schools suddenly swerve to the side and form a tighter ball or walls, when these fish appear.

The area southeast of the Arch falls down steeply in steps. Each plateau ; Channel Dive Site (3) is covered with large rocks where you can hang on. It can be an advantage to bring a reef hook to this place. If carefully attached on the rock (not the corals!) it is much better than hanging on with your hands. Everywhere are fat morey eels (mostly fine spotted morey eel, Gymnothorax dovii) lying around. They don't even hide like they do in tropical waters. Turtles (green turtle Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata) swimming by lazily. Mexican hogfish, Moorish idols, coronet fish, trumpetfish, parrotfish, scorpionfishes are found here and in the rubble on the bottom live flounders and octopuses.

On each dive you also should to go out into the blue. Sometimes you have to wait around a bit, but on each of our dives we saw something interesting – dolphins coming down from the surface to take a look at us or play, yellowfined tunas in groups, a whaleshark slowly passing by, large schools of hammerheads consisting of hundreds of animals swimming slowly along and Galapagos sharks coming in fast, swerving and disappearing again. To finish the dive you usually make a safety stop in the blue, but all the time watching out for another interesting animals cruising by!

Here and at the other dive sites called the Tower Rock (2) (small rock in the west if the island) and the Channel (between the Arch and the island), you might also encounter Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, dolphins, yellow fin tuna, big eye jacks, mobula rays, eagle rays, golden cowrays and mantas. From June to October there is a very good chance to see whale sharks. I heard, there are even sometimes tiger sharks, marlins and whales.

(5) Wolf (Wenman)

A 14 hour overnight voyage brings you to Wolf Island. Exposed to waves, surges, strong shifting currents Wolf is for experienced divers only. With a number of protected anchorages a variety of dive sites and drift dives with large animals it's no wonder this area has topped the list of favorite sites. Due to the warmer waters here you will find many fish found nowhere else including white mouth and zebra morays, trumpetfish, cornetfish, schools of jacks, rainbow runners, barracudas, tuna, bigeye jacks, blue-spotted jacks, wahoo, bacalao, salemas, yellowfin surgeonfish and marine turtles. Large pelagic fishes like whale sharks, Galapagos sharks, black-blotched stingrays, spotted eagle rays have also been seen here. Hammerheads swim in a never ending parade across the reef as from the shallower waters towards the deep.

Depending on conditions Wolf offers excellent night dives. This is a great time for macros as you’ll get very close-up to lobsters, puffers, creolefish and some unusual crabs and anemones and the red-lipped batfish.

The diving is excellent here at all times of the year. This is one of the best places to see hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, mantas and eagle rays. The schools of hammerheads are common here all year long, whale sharks tend to congregate at Darwin from the middle of June until October and occasionally to the middle of December. Since the conditions can be rough for scuba diving and you are far away from any help, this is only for experienced divers.

Landslide (8) (Wall): The rocky cliffs drop steeply to below the ocean's surface, part of the wall has slid down and large boulders form a nice rocky slope that bottoms out around 50m. Tube corals and small sponges and barnacles grow here. In the crevices morey eels live (fine spotted morey eel, Gymnothorax dovii and zebra morey Gymnomureaena zebra), they are really quite large and fat und frequently hunt outside.

This dive site is mostly known for the hammerhead sharks that gather here in large groups. There are also Galapagos sharks to be seen, eagle rays and turtles. On the dive site next to it – Shark Bay – we saw a wall of hammerheads out in the blue, all swimming in the same direction and on the shallower parts smaller groups of seven or twelve were seen swimming over the rocks to get cleaned. Schools of gringos and bluestriped chubs darken the water and tunas, rainbowrunners and mackerels dart between.

At the Pinaculos (7) (pinnacle) you mostly do a drift dive, but there are several swim throughs and a cave and you can make your safety stop at the pinnacle. You can also dive at Hat Island (6) and the Rock (9) , although in the south there usually is a strong surge, which makes it difficult to surface.

You anchor in the sheltered to the west, the Anchorage (10). This place is known for the redlipped batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini), a strange looking bottom dwelling fish related to frogfishes. It walks and hops about mostly on sand and rubble, seen mostly at night.

(14) Genovesa (Tower)

Genovesa is known more often by its English name of Tower and lies north of the equator. Genevosa is the remains of an extinct volcano that is open to the sea on the south side. The caldera of the volcano forms a cove, the Darwin Bay, which is sheltered by high cliffs. The island is very dry and flat and mostly inhabited by birds. There are large colonies of red-footed and Nazca boobies. The water can be warmer than at the central islands, thanks to the Panama current. Darwin Bay (15) : It is possible to either dive along the inner wall or go to the outer wall, which is less protected. An other possibility is to dive from the outside of the volcano through the channel into the caldera. You might see groupers, jacks and barracuda, eagle rays, tunas and schools of smaller fish and sometimes mantas or hammerheads. Genovesa Geology – Genovesa (Global Volcanism Program) / Picture = Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis)

(12 )Marchena (Bindloe)

Marchena's 343m high shield volcano has been very active with an eruption in 1991, so about three quarters of the island are covered with black lava and there are several fumaroles (steam vents). It is very dry and hot here. Except for diving it is seldom visited, it is not on the main route for liveaboards. You dive at Punta Espejo (13) . Underwater you might see cow-nosed rays, turtles, schooling hammerheads and schools of blue-striped snappers, grunts, surgeonfishes, spotted moray eels and scorpion fishes. In the shallow water you might find red-lipped batfishes. Best time to dive here seems to be the warm season, during the garua-season visibility is not very good.

(11) Pinta (Abigdon)

Pinta is usually not on the itinerary of liveaboard excursions since there are no land tours. It is best known as the original home of Lonesome George, the land tortoise who used to live here

Some content courtesy of starfish.ch : Teresa Zubi

Conditions for marine animals

Marine life in the Galapagos is very rich, though not so varied as in warmer tropical waters. Due to the cold water there are only a few species of corals and those grow mostly in the subtidal zone. There are nice reefs near Floreana (Devil's Crown, Onslow island), Bartolomé Island, Champion island and Wolf and Darwin.

In the warm season (from December to May), the chance to see whale sharks is very high (in the northern islands), and you can also observe them in the central islands. In the cold season (May to December) the chance to see whale sharks is about 50 percent, and you see more rays like mantas, mobula, and eagle rays, since they get together in schools to mate. Hammerheads can be found throughout the Galapagos Archipelago year-round. The large schools of fish, sea turtles, sea lions, iguanas and penguins are also found during the whole year

Fishes

Jack Grove and Robert J. Lavenberg have documented 444 fish species in 112 families with 9.2% endemic species (= restricted to a particular geographic region and found nowhere else in the world). From the 41 endemic species, most are blennies and stargazers (11 species Blennioidei) and small fishes of the family Percoidei like grunts and drums (10 species) and brotulas (6 species Ophidiformes) and a few gobies and eels. The endemic fishes are mostly small fish, that live close to the shore.

Since the Galapagos are surrounded by deep ocean, there are also a lot of pelagic fishes found here, several species of sharks like whale sharks, white tipped sharks, Mako, thresher sharks, several species of requiem sharks, hammerhead sharks, Galapagos shark, Galapagos horned shark as well as rays, mantas, eagle rays, mobulas, tunas, jacks, Marlin swordfishes and even the huge sunfishes (Mola mola and Ranzania laevis).

Sharks seen in the Galapagos islands

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus / español: tiburón ballena / Deutsch: Walhai) is with up to 12m the world's largest shark. Its color is gray with a pattern of spots and bars. It has an enormous mouth and feeds on zooplankton, pelagic crustaceans, small fishes and squids which are sieved through a spongy tissue between the gill arches. Found in tropical and temperate waters around the world, seen mostly in areas of upwelling.

The most common hammerhead shark around Wolf and Darwin is the scalloped hammerhead, although the smooth and the great hammerhead have also been recorded on Galapagos. They differ from the shape of their head and dorsal fin and their size.

The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini / español : tiburón martillo / Deutsch: Bogenstirn Hammerhai) is up to 2.5m long, gray color and is distinguished by having the eye and nostril very close together and having a head with three lobes or indentations. This pelagic sharks usually forms large schools and feeds primarily on fishes, occasionally on cephalopods and crustaceans. Found in tropical waters around the world.

The smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena / español: Cachona / Deutsch: Gewöhnlicher Hammerhai) can be 2.5 to 3.5m long, gray color and no indentations. Feeds on cephalopods and fishes as well as rays and small sharks. Found in tropical to temperate waters around the world.

The great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran / español: Gran tiburón martillo / Deutsch: Grosser Hammerhai) can reach 5.5m length. The leading edge of the head is nearly strait and he has a very high and pointed dorsal fin. Rare on most coral reefs. Feeds primarily on fishes, particularly rays and small sharks, occasionally on cephalopods and crustaceans. Found in tropical to temperate waters around the world.

The Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis / español: tiburón de Galapagos / Deutsch: Galapagos Hai) is not endemic to the Galapagos though common in the island and often seen in loose groups. It can be from 2.5 up to 3.5m long, gray-brown above, yellow-white beneath, with long pectoral fins. They feed on sea lions and marine iguanas. Common around islands in the eastern Pacific.

The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis / español: tiburón jaquetón / Deutsch: Seidenhai) is infrequently encountered in the Galapagos. They are slender with their first dorsal fin well behind the pectoral fins, dark gray to gray-black, can be over 3m long. Seen together with other species of sharks when hunting. They feed mainly on large fish. Silky sharks are pelagic and widely distributed in the tropical eastern Pacific.

The endemic Galapagos bullhead shark (Heterodontus quoyi / español: gato / Deutsch: Galapagos Stierkopfhai), a bottom dwelling relatively small gray-brown shark with black blotches. It feeds primarily on shellfish, crabs and other crustaceans. This shark has a box-shaped head with a large ridge over the eyes and a sharp spine (horn) at the front of both dorsal fins. This shark is locally also known as Port Jackson horned shark, although the real Port Jackson shark (H. portusjacksoni) only lives in western Australia. Often seen at night.

Some of the common schooling fishes

The Pacific Creole fish (Paranthias colonus or five spot anthias / español: Gringo) is probably the most common fish in the entire archipelago. It is olive to gray below and copper red above and has 3 or 5 white or dark spots on the back and the base of the deeply forked tail. Juveniles are yellow with blue markings under their eye and intermediates have a dark, ringed spot. They form huge aggregations in open water or above rocks where they feed on small fishes and plankton. They are an important source of food for the blue-footed boobies. About 35 cm.

The King Angelfish (Holacanthus passer / español: Pez bandera / Deutsch: Kaiser von Mexico) is dark blue or black with a white vertical bar. Females have yellow pectoral fins, males white ones. Like with other angelfishes, the juveniles are colored differently, orange or hazel brown with blue vertical stripes and yellow pectoral fins. They also live north to Panama and Costa Rica and Baja California. King angelfishes are seen in the Galapagos often while cleaning larger fishes like hammerheads or mantas. They pick various parasites off them. They also feed on algea and small invertebrates. About 25 to 30cm.

The Blacknosed Butterflyfish (Johnrandallia nigrirostris / español: Mariposa barbero / Deutsch: Putz-Falterfisch) is a small butterflyfish (13cm) found in the eastern Pacific. Likes rocky reefs down to 40m, mostly in large schools. The blacknosed butterflyfish gathers at cleaning stations, where they clean other fishes, picking off parasites from their skin. This kind of behavior I have also seen with bannerfishes (a relative of the butterflyfishes) in Lembongan, Indonesia, where they clean sunfishes.

The Yellowtailed Surgeonfish (Prionurus laticlavius or razor surgeonfish / español: Chancho / Deutsch: Galapagos Sägedoktor) is only found in the East Pacific. This is the most common surgeonfish in the Galapagos, gray to silvery with small black dots and two dark stripes around the eyes and a yellow tail with three retractable spines at the base. They are seen in large schools usually in shallow water. Juveniles are yellow and also school. Feed on algae attached to rocks. About 46cm.

There are several species of grunts common to the islands with three endemic species: the White Salema (Xenichthys agassizi) and the Blackstriped Salema (Xenocys jessiae / español: ojón / Deutsch: Grunzer) which are quite common. Salemas are an impressive sight, since they form immense schools above rocky reefs, sandy areas and slopes.

The endemic Galapagos Grunt (Orthopristis forbesi / español: Roncador de Galapagos / Deutsch: Galapagos Grunzer) is rarely seen, but has been recorded on Fernandina. It has large silvery scales with dark markings. They school above rocky, boulder strewn reefs and slopes.

The Golden-eyed Grunt (Haemulon scudderi) and the yellowtail grunt (Anisotremus interruptus – Burrito – Yellow-tailed grunt) are also very common, but not endemic. They school above rocky reefs or sandy areas and slopes.

Other fishes

Another fish endemic to the Galapagos is the White-spotted Rock Sea Bass (Paralabrax albomaculatus / español: Camotillo), a sea bass with a row of white spots on the side. This fish is common around Isabela and likes cold water, so it is found mostly in areas of upwelling where it feeds onsmaller fish. Length about 25cm.

Another sea bass is the Sailfin Grouper (Mycteroperca olfax, español: Bacalao) which is common around the entire archipelago. While it usually is of a gray or brown color, it can also be bright golden yellow. These are known as bacalao rey (king bacalao). This is the economically most important fish in the Galapagos. They prefer open water near walls. Can grow to 1m long.

The Harlequin Wrasse or Galapagos hogfish (Bodianus eclancheri / español: vieja mulata ) is an interesting looking multicolored wrasse. Not one fish looks like the other, they have various designs of orange, black, white and yellow. Most have a white chin patch and all a black spot at the base of the pectoral fins. Large adults have a distinctive bump on their forehead. They prefer cold water and are thus more common on the western islands. Another hogfish with a distinctive bump is the Mexican hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) which has longish fins and is gray to green-blue.

The Goldrimmed Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricans or whitecheek tang / español: Pez cirujano de filo amarilla / Deutsch: Goldrand-Doktorfisch oder Samtdoktor) is mostly found around Isabela, Darwin and Wolf and is uncommon in the remainder of the archipelago. They are dark blue with a white tail and elongate white spot directly below eye. They inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs. They are herbivores and feed on filamentous algae. About 21cm.

There are two species of sunfish found in the Galapagos, the ocean sunfish (Mola mola / español: Pez luna / Deutsch Mondfisch) and the slender Mola (Ranzania levis). Punta Vicente Roca is one of the dive sites with sunfish sightings as well as Gordon's Rock, North Seymour, Española and the south of Isabela. The sunfish is the largest bony fish and can be up to 3m in length. I have seen this fish many times during the cold season in Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia, where it approaches the reef to get cleaned by angelfishes. The sunfish has a very unmistakable look with its eccentric roundish shape with huge fins but nearly no discernable tail and wont be mistaken for a shark or ray.

The Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens / español: Caballito de Mar del Pacífico / Deutsch: Pazifisches Seepferdchen) is the only seahorse in the eastern Pacific. It has very variable colorings, from reddish to gray, yellow, gold and various shades of brown. Around their eyes they have streaks and lines radiating. Adults have white light and dark markings. They are well camouflaged and are often found among black coral bushes and gorgonians or with their tail around seagrass. They feed on small crustaceans and zooplankton which are siphoned into their tubelike mouth. Although they are seen on reefs around corals, it seems that this seahorse spends a lot of its life in the open sea. About 24 to 29cm.

Bottom dwelling fishes

A weird looking fish which is found here is the red-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini / español: Pez murcielago labio rojo / Deutsch: Rotlippen-Fledermausfisch). As it's name suggests it has bright red lips and is about 17cm large. Walking batfishes have modified fins, that are used to walk (or rather hop) across the sea floor. They only swim occasionally and in a rather cumbersome fashion by spreading their pectoral fins. Like the frogfish (they also belong to the order of Lophiiformes) they have a modified first dorsal spine with a long rod (illicium) and an attached lure (esca). This rod is usually tucked into a depression above the mouth. Feeds on small invertebrates like crabs and mollusks. The snout of batfishes varies in shape and length, when they grow, it becomes smaller and more knob like. Red lipped batfishes usually live on sand, rubble or rocky bottoms from 3 – 76 m. Common in the entire Galapagos archipelago, active at night.

There are 3 species of frogfishes in the Galapagos, Antennarius sanguineus (Bloody frogfish – pejerana bandeado), Antennarius avalonis (Roughbar frogfish – pejerana colorado), the small Antennatus strigatus (Bandtail frogfish – pejerana bocon). Unfortunately I haven't seen any on my trips yet (still hoping). Frogfishes are diffcult to find, because often they are perfectly camouflaged, showing the same colours as the sponges or the ground they sitting on. Frogfishes have converted one of the drosal fins into a lure. The lures mimic food animals like worms, small shrimps or small fish. The prey approaches to eat the lure and then is engulfed by the waiting frogfish. Frogfishes mainly eat fishes and crustaceans (shrimps and crabs). They can swallow items of prey that are twice as large as them.

The Zebra moray eel (Gymnomuraena zebra / español: morena zebra / Deutsch: Zebra Muräne) which is uncommon in the entire archipelago is also found here. This moray has an unique black and white color pattern which gives it its name. The snout of the zebra moray is very blunt with pebble-like teeth, so it can feed on large, heavily armored crabs and other crustaceans as well as snails and sea urchins. With the large crabs it will crush the claws and walking legs, with smaller crabs the entire animal. Hunts in reef crevices and rarely ventures out into the open. Length 88cm.

On sandy areas there are fields of the endemic Galapagos garden eels (Heteroconger klausewitzi). They are dark brown with a row of white spots on the sides of the body and some irregular patches. These eels inhabit sandy areas where there is some current, so they can feed on zooplankton, that drifts past their burrows. Like all garden eels they tend to be shy and retreat into their holes when approached. About 44cm. Also found in Mosquera, Plazas islands and Devils' crown.

Reptiles

The endemic marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus / español: iguana marina / Deutsch: Meeresechse) forms large colonies. Marine iguanas can get over a meter in length and can weight close to 9kg. They represent the only species of truly marine lizards. They are vegetarians and feed almost exclusively on marine algae. Marine iguanas are excellent swimmers, using their flattened tail and dive down to depths of 12m to nip the algal tufts from the rocks. It is amazing, that the thousands of iguanas (an estimate is of 250'000 animals, 7 subspecies) don't eat the rocks bare of algae. However the algae grow back quite fast, specially in the nutrient rich waters of the west. After diving the iguanas gather in large numbers and bask on the volcanic rocks so they can warm up in the sun. With the algae they ingest a lot of salt. They have adapted to this and have salt glands above each eye connected by a duct to the nostril. You can observe how the salt is literally sneezed out!

There are also marine turtles around Galapagos, the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle. The green turtles here on the Galapagos are unusual dark, probably to better absorb the warmth of the sun in this cold water. The breeding season is during the warmer time of the year.

Birds

There are many sea birds living on the Galapagos und while diving or snorkeling you will encounter them sometimes, while they search for food. Of interest for the diver is the endemic Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and the boobies which all can be encountered underwater while diving.

Boobies belong to the family Sulidae. In the Galapagos, there are three species of boobies: the red-footed booby, the blue-footed booby and the Nazca booby (formerly Masked booby). They have a similar body shape and are differated by the color of their completely webbed feet and their size. You can distinguish males from females by voice – males whistle and the females honk.

The blue footed booby (Sula nebouxii / español: piquero patas azul / Deutsch: Blaufusstölpel) is mostly found at the center and edges of the archipelago (Española, Daphne, and North Seymour). As the name suggests they have amazing blue feet. Females have a ring of dark pigment around their pupils, making them look bigger than those of the males. Courtship, mating and nesting occur year round. The blue-footed boobies nest on the ground and often make a guano ring around the nest area. They lay up to three eggs and in a good year they can raise all three chicks. Blue-footed boobies fish very close inshore in shallow water. Boobies are plunge divers and their dive is spectacular. They have good eyes and can spot fish from about 10m up and then dive down into the water with their wings folded back. You often see small groups of boobies flying in formation looking for fish. If you are lucky can see them underwater while you are diving!

The red-footed booby (Sula sula / español: piquero patas rojo / Deutsch: Rotfusstölpel) have red feet and a blue bill with a red base. It is actually the most numerous of the Galapagos boobies, but since it lives at the outlying islands (Genovesa and Punta Pitt – see above) it also is the least frequently seen. Red-footed boobies fish well out at sea and thus always are gone for a while. This is probably the reason why of the boobies on Galapagos only the red-footed booby builds nests in trees. They lay only one egg and raise one chick. This usually happens when there is plenty of food and can occur at any time in the year. The red-footed booby is with about 74cm the smallest.

The Nazca booby (Sula granti – formerly Sula dactylatra grand / español: piquero enmascarado / Deutsch: Nazca Maskentölpel) is pure white with a black band at the edges of the wings and the end of the tail. They have a yellow or pinkish bill and there is a blackish area of bare skin surrounding the bill which looks like a mask. They are found on most islands (good places are Genovesa, Española, Daphne). Nazca boobies fish a bit farther out than blue-footed boobies. They have an annual breeding cycle. They nest near cliffs on the ground and lay two eggs, several days apart, so the older chick is much bigger than the younger. If the older chick survives, it will push its younger sibling out of the nest. However if the older chick dies, there is still a chance, that the younger chick will survive. With about up to 89cm it is the largest of the Galapagos boobies. Nazca boobies were formerly regarded as a subspecies of the Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) but the Nazca Booby is now recognized as a separate species.

The endemic flightless cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi / español: cormorán áptero / Deutsch: Flugunfähiger Kormoran) is only found on the coastline of Fernandina and the northwestern shore of Isabela where the cold Cromwell current upwells. It is very large for a cormorant (about 90cm), brown with a long beak, very small wings and very large feet. It is the only cormorant in the Galapagos, and it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly. The birds feed near the shore and near the bottom on squid, octopus, eel, and benthic fish. While diving for food it propels itself by powerful kicks of its large legs. When they return from a hunting trip offshore, they must open up their wings to dry them out. This looks a bit strange, since their wings are so small. It should be possible to see them underwater while diving, though I have heard, that you are not allowed to dive at some dive areas around Fernandina anymore.

Galapagos penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) are the second smallest penguins in the world and the only species also found north of the equator. Standing up they are about 35cm high, the total length is about 50cm. On land they are very slow and clumsy. But underwater they are very interesting to observe, they always leave a visible track of bubbles behind them and move at incredible speeds. Penguins have a very special swimming style. Using their wings as flippers they literally zip around the water, they are able to make sharp turns, swim in zigzag and even make flips. The Galapagos penguin is mainly found in the western islands where the water is cooler, but also around Santiago and Floreana. They breed at any time during the year, their clutch is two eggs, but most times only one will survive.

Mammals

On most islands live Galapagos sea lions. They are excellent swimmers and will be encountered often underwater. The endemic Galapagos fur seal are less commonly seen. Whales and Dolphins are encountered when cruising between the islands. A lot of cetacean sightings were at the western side of Isabela, where the water is colder.

There are two species of pinnipeds living on the Galapagos islands – the Galapagos fur seals (Arctocephalus galapogoensis / español: Lobo de dos pelos or lobo fino / Deutsch: Pelzseelöwe oder Galapagos-Seebär) and the Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus californicum wollebacki / español: lobo de mar / Deutsch: Galapagos-Seelöwe). Actually the name “fur seal” is misleading, since they are not true seals but also sea lions, the correct name should be fur sea lion.

The Galapagos islands lie on the equator and actually these two species of pinnipeds have reached the islands coming from very different directions. Fur seals are believed to have come from the south (their ancestor is the south American fur sea lion) and sea lions came from the north (their close ancestor is the Californian sea lion).

They differ by their size – the fur seal is smaller and more compact with large eyes and ears that stick out noticeably. Fur seals have a thick, dense coat consisting of two layers, an outer layer of long hairs and an inner one of short dense fur (thus the name fur seal). This thick fur is of course a relict from their origins in cold southern water and it was the reason why they were hunted nearly to extinction before the Galapagos island became a National Park. Fur seals have a broader head, whereas sea lions have a pointed head.

Fur seals feed primarily on fish and cephalopods, close to shore and exclusively at night when their prey migrates closer to the surface. Breeding time is between mid-August and mid-November, most pups being born between late September and early October.

Sea lions normally dive down quite deep, from 20 to 70m. They are often seen where large schools of their preferred prey, sardines are. Breeding time is from May – January. Watch out for the male sea lions, they may bite.

Invertebrates

Sea cucumbers, sea urchins, crabs, shrimps, sponges and anemones live in the water around the Galapagos. There are several endemic species, such as the Galapagos black corals, cup corals or the 3 species of sea slugs as well as some species of crabs, chitons, scallops and sea stars.

Molluscs: There are over a hundred species of Mollusks found in the Galapagos, about 18% of the shallow water mollusks are endemic. Among them are several nudibranchs that are probably endemic to the Galapagos islands. The starry night nudibranch (Hypselodoris lapislazuli) has a dark blue body with yellow dots. Creme to brown colored border and gills. Length 3 to 5cm. Feeds on sponge. The Ruzafa Doris (Chromodoris ruzafai) has a pale-blue body with irregular reddish band marked with yellow spots. Pink gills and dark brown rhinophores. The blue-striped sea slug (Tambja mullineri, also called Mulliner Doris) has turcoise-blue stripes with dark blue rhinophores and gills, 2 to 4 cm large. The Carolyn Doris (Platydoris carolynaeare) has a flattened cream colored body with black and brown pigment and a large elongate black spot on the back with dark rhinophores and gills. There is also two species of intertidal slugs (living in estuarine mangroves or on rocky coasts), lung breathing dark colored oval slugs, which are endemic to the Galapagos.

There are more nudibranchs living here, such as Robastra, Flabellina marcusorum, Aplysia cedrosensis, Aeolidiella indica and A. alba, Berthellina engeli, Cadlina sparsa, Hypselodoris agassizii. They are not endemic, but also found around the east Pacific coast (Costa Rica, California).

Many octopuses (Octopus oculifer and other species) are found in the rocky areas. It is worth to take a close look at the rocks because although they might sit in plain view, they are so well camouflaged, that they are easily overlooked. they seem to be not very shy and when we found one, it was moving slowly around and didn't hide straight away as I am used to from tropical water. So called paper nautilus or argonauts (Argonauta pacificus) can also be found on the Galapagos and flying squids (Sthenoteuthis ovalaniensis) are common food for birds.

Corals: The Galapagos black coral (Antipathes galapagensis) is actually of yellow color and builds large bushes. It is called black, because when dried, the internal skeleton has a black color. Black coral is harvested commercially and used for jewelry and and thus is often overexploited. Black coral is a soft coral and does not form a corallite. Most of black coral in the Galapagos were not affected by the 1982 / 83 El Niño event, because they live not so close to the surface. There are also a lot of tube corals living here, which are also called popcorn corals. The orange cup coral (Tubastrea cocinea) and the pink cup coral (Tubastrea tagusensis), gorgonians sea fans as well as the small Mexican anemones (Bunodactis mexicana) and some tube corals (Pachycerianthus fimbriatus) grow around the Galapagos.

Other invertebrates: The most well known crab is the sally lightfoot crab (Grapsus grapsus) who lives on the shores of all islands. They are scavengers and feed on almost anything. They climb over the lizards and groom them, eating parasites and algae growing on the skin. Of course there are also a lot of hermit crabs, shrimps, slipper lobsters and other lobsters. You will also often find several different species of sea stars and sea cucumbers. There are pencil urchins (Eucidaris thouarsii) which eat corals or toxic sea urchins like Toxotneustes roseus.

In Tagus Cove you can also find the largest species of asteroids in the world, Luidia superba or giant sea star. This five-armed starfish is over 1.2m large and preys on other starfishes. It hadn't been seen for several years and was rediscovered in 1974. The family of Luidiidae contains quite a lot of large sea stars with 5 to 15 arms. They usually burrow in sand.

Content Courtesy of starfish.ch : Teresa Zubi

Over the last two decades, Bonaire has consistently ranked as the finest snorkeling and scuba diving destination in the Caribbean. A major reason for this prominence is the island's diligent stewardship of its marine resources — all of the waters off Bonaire's coast have been legally protected since 1979, and it shows.The Bonaire National Marine Park was established in 1979. The Park starts at the high water mark and extends to 200 ft (60 meters) of depth; it covers an area of 6672 acres, or 27 km².

Bonaire license plates read “Diver's Paradise,” an appropriate description for this boomerang-shaped island just 50 miles north of Venezuela. It boosts some of the most vibrant and healthy marine life I have seen in my 17 yrs as a diver. Everything on the island is set up for divers. You can rent a truck and diver one of Bonaire's 63 shore dive sites or choose to take a short boat trip to Klein Island and dive another 24 sites.

Bonaire's dive industry was pioneered by Captain Don Stewart, who set out to build a true haven for divers. His philosophy was simple; build a dive shop with rooms and provide as much freedom so guest divers can dive their own profile in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. At a very early stage Captain Don realized the importance of conservation of Bonaire's beautiful underwater resources. His endeavors led to the creation of the permanent mooring system and eventually to the Bonaire National Marine Park.

1. Boca Bartol
This shore dive is the northernmost site in the Marine Park. Advanced divers may encounter strong currents. The recommended depth is from 20-80 feet, with interesting coral formations in the shallows. Many of the larger fish species abound, and there is a chance to see rays and garden eels in the sandy bottom.

2. Playa Bengi
Located along the northwest coast of Washington Slagbaai Park, Playa Benge is known for its heavy currents. Recommended only for the advanced diver, the depth ranges from 15-100 feet. A shore dive only, the experienced diver will be rewarded with some of the most pristine coral on Bonaire.

3. Playa Funchi
Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, Playa Funchi is for the advanced diver and has moderate to heavy currents. There is no mooring here, so access is from the shore only. In depths of 15-100 feet, horse-eye jacks can be seen out in blue water. The shallows teem with spotted trunk fish that approach you looking for a hand-out.

4. Bise Morto
Another Washington Park dive, this boat dive site can have moderate to strong currents and is recommended for the intermediate to advanced diver. Depths of 20-100 feet offer shallows loaded with elk horn and stag horn coral, hence the name, which means “dead deer.” The deeper waters provide an opportunity to see larger species, including whale sharks and manta rays.

5. Boca Slagbaai
Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, this site is known for its moderate to strong currents and is recommended for intermediate to experienced divers. With depths of 20-100 feet, you may have a chance to see mantas or other smaller rays. At the southern end of the cove, there are cannon in just 10 feet of water. Slagbaai is also accessible by boat.

6. Nukove
A bit hard to find, this site is a shore dive only. It ranges from 20-100 feet and has mild to strong currents. Intermediate level divers will find huge elk horn coral in the shallows, with schools of algae-eating reef fish present. Also seen are large midnight blue parrots. The drop-off has large coral heads that sometimes shelter nurse sharks.

7. Karpata
One of Bonaire's most popular shore dives, Karpata can also be reached by boat. With depths ranging from 20-100 feet and light to moderate currents, novice and intermediate divers can pose for pictures alongside one of the many huge ship anchors embedded in the coral. Known for great visibility, wide angle photographers can enjoy panoramic vistas to frame their subjects.

8. La Dania's Leap
Known for the practice of “leaping” off the shore and then doing a drift dive to Karpata, this site has been recommended for intermediate divers by boat only. With light currents and depths of 15-100 feet, La Dania's is one of Bonaire's few vertical walls, with numerous canyons and sand shoots.

9. Rappel
The most often asked for dive site, Rappel is reached only by boat. Due to the close proximity to the rocky ledge, an intermediate skill level is required. With a depth of 30-100 feet and moderate currents, Rappel has huge sea fans in the shallows and an abundance of nudibranches.

10. Bloodlet
Too difficult for shore diving, Bloodlet has moderate currents and is for the intermediate boat diver. Averaging 20-80 feet, there is a dense reef structure that is home to schools of algae-eating blue tangs. Yellow and green tube sponges are also evident. Bloodlet is one of the places where sea turtles are often sighted.

11. Ol' Blue
This shore or boat dive site lies just off a long coral beach, east of 1000 Steps. Light to moderate currents and depths of 20-100 feet offer the novice and intermediate divers the chance to see numerous friendly French angelfish and schools of horse-eye jacks.

12. Country Garden
A boat dive with moderate currents for the beginner to intermediate skilled diver. The average depth is 20-80 feet, and the shallows are covered with large boulders that have fallen from the cliffs and provide shelter for school masters, grunts, and goat fish.

13. Bon Bini Cas
“Welcome Home” in the native language, this site lies just next to 1000 Steps and is a boat dive only. With light to moderate currents, beginner and intermediate divers will enjoy schools of Creole wrasse and blue tangs in depths ranging from 20-100 feet.

14. 1000 Steps
Situated in front of the Radio Netherlands towers, 1000 Steps is a shore or boat dive (actually, for the shore divers, 64 steps down to the site from the road and it seems like 1000 steps coming back up with scuba gear!). Currents are light and the novice diver will have a chance to observe hawksbill turtles or a passing whale shark or manta.

15. Weber's Joy/Witches Hut
This easy shore or boat dive, with light currents and a depth of 20-100 feet, offers novice divers a chance to see mountainous star coral with abundant fish life. Angelfish, rock beauties, and butterfly fish make their homes in the rocky reefs. This site is a favorite of underwater photographers.

16. Jeff Davis Memorial
Accessible from boat or shore, this site is great for beginners, with light to moderate currents and a depth of 20-100 feet. The shallows are covered with soft coral and are a good place to see a turtle or sea horse. There are a number of large coral accumulations, forming chutes that lead to a sandy bottom.

17. Oil Slick Leap
Recommended as a boat dive, the hearty shore diver will find a steel ladder leading to the water. Named Oil Slick Leap because this was the original proposed site for the oil storage terminal, this dive is for the novice boat diver and has mild currents and a depth of 20-80 feet. There are generally large numbers of barracuda seen here.

18. Barcadera
This boat dive is located directly opposite the Bonaire Marine Park Headquarters. Moderate currents and depths of 30-100 feet are great for novice to intermediate divers. The shallows are covered with elk horn coral and host schools of algae-eating blue tangs.

19. Andrea II
Located just past the desalination plant, Andrea I and II can be reached from boat or shore. Currents are mostly light, so they are ideal sites for beginner divers. With an average depth of 20-100 feet, there are many anemones and soft coral offering shelter to hungry trumpet fish. Both these sites offer a good chance of seeing sea horses.

20. Andrea I
See Andrea II.

21. Petries Pillar
This is a shore dive only for the beginner, with moderate currents and an average depth of 30-100 feet. The terrain is much like Andrea I and II. Large stands of pillar coral are found in the shallows along with schools of blue tangs. Named by Capt. Don as a wedding present for a friend.

22. Small Wall
Located in front of the Black Durgeon Inn, this site offers the novice diver a chance to do a shallow wall dive. Accessed from boat or shore (you need permission to cross private property to shore dive), the currents are light to moderate, with the wall beginning at 20 feet. A cave can be found at 60 feet, with the possibility of seeing a sleeping nurse shark.

23.Cliff
Accessed either from shore or boat, Cliff is located in front of the Hamlet Villas, north of Habitat. With light to moderate currents in 20-70 feet of water, the novice diver will have a chance to see Capt. Don's underwater Stone Memorial to the “divers who have gone before us,” which is marked with a plaque and dive flag.

24. La Machaca
Situated off Capt. Don's Habitat, this site with mild to moderate currents allows the novice diver a chance to do a “wreck dive” in relatively shallow water. The 45-foot locally built boat lies in 40-50 feet of water, 30 yards from shore. It is the home of a large green eel, who is used to seeing divers, so approach him with caution.

25. Reef Scientifico
South of La Machaca, in 40 feet of water, a grid system has been constructed to monitor algae growth on the reef. While the conditions are much the same as La Machaca, night diving here will reward you with a view of sleeping parrot fish and free swimming spotted morays.

26.Buddy's Reef
Located in front of Buddy Dive Resort, this shore dive has mild currents and is perfect for beginners. With depths of 30-100 feet, expect to see black chrionoids perched on coral heads in the shallows. A resident school of tarpon almost always greets night divers.

27. Bari Reef
Located at the Sand Dollar Beach Resort in 20-100 feet of water, it has light to moderate currents and is an ideal site for the novice or non-diver to learn scuba diving. Access is from the shore at the dive shop pier. A popular night dive, with friendly tarpons darting back and forth in front of your light beam!

28. Front Porch
Truly an easy dive, with light to moderate currents, Front Porch is located at the Sunset Beach Resort. Access is always from shore. The prolific fish life begins at 15 feet, right under the pier, and continues down to 80 feet, where a small wreck of a tug boat lies upside down.

29. Something Special
Located just south of the marina entrance, this is a shore or boat dive for the beginner. Currents are mild and the depth is from 20-80 feet. There is very little coral growth, since this is one area where sailboats are allowed to anchor. However, the fish life is abundant, with a sandy bottom where rays are often seen. Great for night diving.

30. Town Pier
The most well known dive sight on Bonaire. All levels of divers will experience little current and depths from 20-40 feet. As a shore dive, you must have permission of the harbor master and be accompanied by a local dive guide. Boat diving is almost always done at night with one of the island's dive operators. It is a photographer's dream location, with literally hundreds of photo opportunities.

31. Calabas Reef
Located in front of Dive Bonaire at the Divi Flamingo Resort, this reef is well suited for all levels of divers, with mild currents and a depth of 20-100 feel. All species of reef fish abound, with the occasional turtle or ray passing by.

32. Eighteen Palms
This shore or boat dive lies directly in front of the Lt. Governor's house, which, coincidentally, has at least 18 palm trees planted in the front yard. Accessed from shore at the Plaza Resort, it has mild currents and ranges from 20-80 feet for the novice and intermediate divers. Southern and eagle rays are often seen in the sandy bottom.

33. Windsock
A shore or boat dive, Windsock offers the novice diver the chance to cruise the area located at the end of the runway off Flamingo Airport. With the depth ranging from 30-100 feet, divers often see turtles and rays. Named for the windsock that flies from a pole on the runway, this dive site also is excellent for snorkelling.

34. North Belnem
Also sometimes called Dick's Place, this is an easy shore or boat dive for all skill levels. With moderate currents and a depth of 20-100 feet, the shallows have stands of elk horn coral and schools of blue tang.

35. Bachelor's Beach
A great boat dive, the novice diver will find Bachelor's Beach also easy to do from shore. Located just past the airport, the 30-100 foot site has lots of soft coral in the shallows and mild currents. Also, chances of seeing sea turtles are good here.

36. Chez Hines
Sometimes called South Belnem, Chez Hines is accessible from both shore and boat. With moderate currents, the beginning diver can expect a depth of 30-100 feet. This is another site where turtles are often seen.

37. Lighthouse Point
Located in the southern part of the island, this shore or boat dive has moderate currents for the intermediate diver. With a depth range of 30-100 feet, Lighthouse Point has a sandy bottom, with plenty of soft coral.

38. Punt Vierkant
Dutch for square point, this site marks the beginning of the double reef system. Either a boat or shore dive, the current can be moderate to strong and the depth ranges from 30-100 feet for the intermediate diver. Lots of soft coral can be found in the shallows.

39. The Lake
The second of the double reef dives. Lake is 30-100 feet and has moderate currents. Accessed from either boat or shore, the beginner diver will find soft coral in the shallows and schools of colorful reef fish.

40. Hilma Hooker
This internationally known shipwreck lies at the beginning of the double reef system. With light to moderate currents and an average depth of 60-100 feet, it is recommended for advanced divers. Can be a shore or boat dive. For penetration, some wreck and deep dive training should be taken.

41. Angel City
Shore or boat dive, with moderate currents and suitable for all skill levels. This double reef dive was named for the friendly angelfish in the area which accompany divers. The depth is from 30-100 feet and there is a “swim-through” coral arch near the mooring, which provides a good frame for photographs.
42. Alice In Wonderland
Located along the double reef system, average depth is 30-100 feet with easy access by shore or boat. For intermediate skill levels, current is light most times. The two distinct reef systems are separated by a sand channel. Lots of friendly French angels and parrot fish are generally present. Sand channels are host to garden eels and stingrays.

43. Aquarius
Shore or boat dive, with mild to moderate currents. All levels of divers will find this an easy site with depths of 30-100 feet. Sandy bottom shallows offer an opportunity to see rays and turtles.

44. Larry's Lair
This intermediate level shore or boat dive has mild to moderate currents, with a depth ranging from 30-100 feet. Expect to see rays and large groupers at cleaning stations. The entry for shore divers tends to be a bit rocky, so booties are advised.

45. Jeannie's Glory
Another easy shore or boat dive for all skill levels with mild to moderate currents and depths ranging from 30-100 feet. Lots of soft coral in the shallows and sandy bottom for rays to hide in. Turtles are often seen along these southern dive sites.

46. Salt Pier
At the end of the salt conveyer system, it should not be attempted when a ship is in the process of loading. Depth is 15-50 feet, with very little current. Easy entry for novice divers is from shore only. Great for photography. Pillars are fully encrusted with sponges and soft coral.

47. Salt City
Still part of the double reef system, Salt City is a shore or boat dive with depths of 30-100 feet. Mild currents offer the beginner to intermediate diver the chance to see eagle rays and sea turtles.

48. Invisibles
With depths ranging from 20-100 feet, this is one of the few places divers have a chance to see garden eels in shallow water. One of the last of the double reef dives, beginner to intermediate divers will have a chance to see “islands” of coral separated by sand chutes. The currents are generally mild to moderate.

49. Tori's Reef
A shore or boat dive, Tori's Reef runs from 20-100 feet. All levels of divers can enjoy shallows that have large stands of elk horn coral and a sandy bottom for rays to camouflage themselves. Located directly oposite the outflow from the salt works, the shore entry is fairly easy.

50. Pink Beach
A shore or boat dive, it lies just off one of Bonaire's most famous beaches. Depth is 25-90 feet, with easy entry for shore divers. Intermediate skill is required. Current can be strong. There are lots of coral in the shallows and stingrays are often seen along the sandy bottom.

51. White Slave
A shore or boat dive, the currents can be moderate to strong. The intermediate diver will enjoy this dive, since turtles are almost always spotted. The depth ranges from 20-100 feet. The site is named for the white pinnacle and slave huts that are on the shore opposite the mooring.

52. Margate Bay
A shore or boat dive that has mild to moderate currents and a depth of 30-100 feet, all levels of diver will enjoy this dive. There are schools of black margate generally swimming at the top of the reef and pristine corals abound. This is another site at which turtles are almost always seen.

53. Red Beryl
This shore or boat dive has moderate currents and a depth of 30-100 feet. Intermediate dive skills are required for this site. Turtles, rays, and large schools of fish feeding near the surface are generally encountered.

54. Atlantis
This is a shore or boat dive with moderate to strong currents. Intermediate skill levels are required, with depths ranging from 30-100 feet. Turtles and larger species of fish are generally seen in this area.

55. Vista Blue
A shore or boat dive with moderate to strong currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels are required, with depths of 30-100 feet. Turtles and rays are sometimes seen in this area.

56. Sweet Dreams
Accessed from shore or boat, this site can have strong currents. Advanced skill levels are recommended, with depths of 30-100 feet found. The corals on this dive are generally lush in the shallows, with larger formations of stony species in the depths.

57. Red Slave
Lying adjacent to the second set of slave huts, this shore or boat dive has depths of 20-80 feet and moderate to strong currents. Advanced divers recommended. Horse-eye jacks and turtles are often seen.

58. Willemstoren Lighthouse
Located at the island's southern tip, there is shore diving only, with depth ranges of 20-80 feet. This site is recommended for advanced divers only, because its moderate to strong currents can cause a rough entry. Lots of schooling fish and, at times, tarpons and sea turtles.

59. Blue Hole
More often called White Hole, this is a shore dive that is for advanced divers only. It lies off Lac Bay and requires a long walk in shallow water to the drop-off. The dive begins in 15 feet and slopes down to 100 feet. Numerous tarpon are found here, as are rays and a chance of sharks.

60. Cai
Definitely a shore dive for advanced divers. Currents can be strong and unpredictable. Entry is made off the mouth of Lac Bay and depth ranges from 30-100 feet. Large species are often seen. This is truly a dive for strong swimmers with lots of experience.

On Klein Bonaire

All of Klein Bonaire's sites are boat dives.

A. No Name
This dive lies directly in front of No Name Beach at 30-100 feet. Currents are mild, however, the coral is sparse. The advantage is that the sandy bottom is often home to rays and large school masters. All levels of divers will enjoy this site.

B. Ebo's Reef
This 40-100 foot site has light to moderate currents, suitable for the intermediate diver. What makes it so special are the giant orange elephant ear sponges that are topped off with numerous black feather crionoids.

C. Jerry's Reef
Good boat dive for beginners, the currents are moderate with a depth of 30-100 feet. Chrionoids abound at this site and large elephant ear sponges are evident. Lots of black coral is also seen in the depths. This site is also called Ebo's Reef.

C. Just A Nice Dive
This dive, with mild currents and depth ranges of 20-100 feet, is for all levels. There is an abundance of yellow pencil coral and leaf or sheet corals. Lots of schooling fish reside at the top of the reef and solitary species, such as ocean trigger fish, are often seen.

E. Nearest Point
A dive with moderate currents and depths ranging from 20-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy stony mountain corals in the drop-off area. At lower depths, black coral can be found, as well as big orange and purple tube sponges.

F. Keepsake

Closed.

G. Bonadventure
A dive with moderate currents and a 20-100 foot depth. Good for the beginner as well as the intermediate diver. A large amount of soft coral is found in the shallows. Angelfish often accompany divers up and down the reef.

H. Monte's Divi
The currents are mild and beginner divers stand a good chance of seeing a sea horse here. The depth ranges from 15-100 feet, with large stands of elk horn coral in the shallows. A lone divi divi tree stands guard on shore, directly opposite the mooring site.

I. Rock Pile
The shallow (15-100 feet) water and mild to moderate currents make this site suitable for all levels of diving skill. A large green moray eel is often seen hiding among the boulder coral. The mooring lies directly offshore from a pile of rocks on the shore.

J. Joanne's Sunchi
A dive site with 20-100 foot depths and moderate currents. For all levels of diver, Joanne's Sunchi has lots of sand chutes and large tube sponges. Sunchi is the Papiamentu word for “kiss.”

K. Capt. Don's Reef
Ranging from 20-100 feet with mild currents, Capt. Don's Reef is a must dive for all levels. Located at the mooring is a plaque dedicated to Bonaire's pioneer diver, Don Stewart, which thanks him for his dedication to the preservation of Bonaire's reefs.

L. South Bay
This dive has mild to moderate currents and depths ranging from 30-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy seeing different species of groupers and schools of horse-eye jacks.

M. Hands Off
A novice-level dive with mild currents and an average depth of 30-100 feet, Hands Off was originally established to gauge diver impact on the reef. No photographers or clumsy diving practices were allowed.

N. Forest
From 25-100 feet, the intermediate skilled diver will encounter mild to moderate currents here. Forest was named for the abundance of soft coral found in the shallows, especially black coral.

O. Southwest Corner
Ranging in depth from 15-100 feet, intermediate divers will encounter mild to moderate currents. Black Durgeons and, of course, an abundance of yellow tail snappers will be seen.

P. Munk's Haven
A dive with mild to moderate currents, this site ranges from 20-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy lush soft coral in the shallows, with large sculptured coral heads in the drop-off area. Large groupers are often seen at cleaning stations.

Q. Twixt
Closed.

R. Sharon's Serenity
Located on the southwest corner of Klein Bonaire, Sharon's Serenity has moderate currents suitable for intermediate levels of diving. A good site also for snorkelers, since the mooring is located quite close to shore. With an average depth of 20-100 feet, there are numerous elk horn and stag horn coral, as well as many varieties of soft coral. Large groupers have also been sighted here and a number of basket star fish make this a popular night dive.

S. Valerie's Hill
A boat dive for all levels of diving skill, the range of depth is 30-100 feet. Usually, a mild current is present. Named after Capt. Don's wife by local dive guides, it has numerous sponges and plentiful black coral. Scrawled file fish and gray parrot fish are often seen.

T. Mi Dushi
This dive averages 25-100 feet. All skill levels will find mild to moderate currents. Mi Dushi means “my sweetheart” in the local language. The shallows are filled with stag horn and yellow pencil coral. Many smaller reef fish also inhabit this site.

U. Carl's Hill
This site is named after underwater photographer Carl Roessler and lies on the northwest tip of Klein Bonaire. This 20-100 foot photographer's dream has light to moderate currents for the intermediate diver. The main feature of the dive is the sheer wall that begins 20 yards offshore and drops to a sandy bottom at 70 feet. The face of the wall is covered with sponges and soft coral, making for dramatic scenery. Barracudas and bar jacks are often seen here, as well as schools of blue tangs.

V. Carl's Hill Annex
Also known as Yellow Man, this dive has mild currents, depths of 20-100 feet, and an abundance of soft coral in the shallows. Sea horses can usually be found close to the mooring barrels and there are plenty of groupers and jacks in the deeper areas.

Ebo's Special
w. Also known as Jerry's Jam, it is named for Bonaire's first certified diver, Ibo Domacasse. All levels of diver will enjoy mild currents on this site. One interesting feature is a cave that is in shallow waters and generally is the home of large groupers. A nurse shark is often seen sleeping among the coral heads.

X. Leonora's Reef
Just one site east of Carl's Hill, this is an ideal site for the beginning diver. The currents are almost always moderate and an average depth of 20-80 feet will take you by huge plate coral and mountainous star coral. There is a small tunnel through the coral that makes an ideal frame for a picture. Tiger groupers are generally seen in the deeper water, while parrot fish, yellowtail snappers, and four-eye butterfly fish prevail in the shallows.

Y. Knife
Closed.

Z. Sampler
On the north coast of Klein Bonaire, this 20-100 foot site boasts light to moderate currents for the novice to intermediate diver. Friendly angelfish willingly approach divers looking for a hand-out, as do many of the reef residents at this site. It is one of Bonaire's most popular dive sites.

Opportunity: Create and implement a strategy to re-brand Hildbrandt and re-design the supporting tattoo machine equipment website to increase, traffic, sales, and brand loyalty

The Story: Hildbrandt Tattoo Equipment was created by two brothers, David & Mark Hildbrandt. David apprenticed under Malcolm Eltry of the now defunct 64th Street Tattoos & Piercing. Mark Hildbrandt on the other hand was a goldsmith with no background in tattooing. Mark kept a workshop in his garage and David used to borrow his goldsmith tools to re-finish and modify his tattoo machines. Mark’s knowledge of metallurgy techniques contributed to David’s work on his tattoo machines, making them run exceptionally well. What started as a garage business selling to friends turned into a mildly successful internet business. In 2006, the Hildbrandt brothers decided to partner up with David’s college friend, Newton Li, to market the Hildbrandt name. Today, more than 10,000 artists worldwide use Hildbrandt tattoo machines.

Deliverables : Brand Strategy, Visual ID, Online Marketing Strategy, Search Engine Optimization, Website Design, Landing Pages, Web Development, Photo Shoot.

Performance : After 1 month site traffic was up 100%, search queries up 60% and sales were up 12%. After 5 months traffic is up 800%, search queries is up 550% and sale were up 80%..

www.tattoomachinequipment.com

Is available for download from their site.

Click to download

Arnold Lande, a retired American heart and lung surgeon, has patented a scuba suit that would allow a human to breathe “liquid air.” Lande envisages a scuba suit that would allow divers to inhale highly-oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) – a type of liquid that can dissolve enormous quantities of gas. The liquid would be contained in an enclosed helmet that would replace all the air in the lungs, nose and ear cavities.

Read the entire article here: Source (independent)

Opportunity: Re-brand a telecommunications leader to help them better represent their core strategic service offering.

The Story: Simplicity is often the most elegant solution. Creating a brand that was minimal,literal, relevant, and trustworthy was critical to the success of the project.  Sigma Delta Communications provides consulting services to the telecommunications industry, primarily in the area of strategic standards management. If you design, manufacture, sell, deliver, or use telecommunications products or services, standards are of strategic importance to your organization.

Almost every day, somewhere in the world, there is a meeting of a telecommunications Standards Development Organization (SDO) that may materially affect your business. Sigma Delta Communications can help you harness the standards process for strategic advantage

Deliverables: Brand Development, Creative Consultation

Opportunity: Work with the new owners of a Tofino based resort to implement a consumer insight strategy to provide opportunities to existing customers while creating a marketing strategy to attract new customers in the off season.

Story: Nestled comfortably on beautiful MacKenzie Beach, a short drive from the picturesque village of Tofino, British Columbia, Ocean Village is one of the original waterfront destinations in the area.

Deliverables: Consumer Insight Strategy , Creative Direction, Art Direction, Consultation, Photography.

Opportunity: Assist The Next Institute in the creation of pitches and promotional content to increase corporate awareness and drive new business. 

The Story: Working as a creative consultant, cinematographer, and designer; I have worked with The Next Institute on a number of occasions. The Next Institute acts as a catalyst for establishing or extending creative and sustainable enterprises. They specialize in leader development, enterprise alignment and knowledge architecture. They have a great deal of respect for the creative process and supporting designers in a leadership position. They have provided services to many of North America's largest retailers and service providers Their long-term clients include ATB Financial, Flight Centre, The Home Depot, Future Shop, and Fountain Tire. Newer initiatives include Mountain Equipment Co-op, YVR Airport, and Suncor Energy.

Deliverables: Due to the proprietary nature of the pitches I am unable to share specific details, but you are welcome to check out more information on an incredible group of thought and learning leaders at www.thenext.ca

Opportunity: Create an interactive brand presence for Funny Farm Comedy Show and Leverage World Wide, to help promote and grow their entertainment business.

The Story: Funny Farm was created as a way to put the Vancouver comedy scene on the map. We’re dedicated to bringing you only the best acts from around the world in hopes that you’ll laugh you’re f@#%&ing asses off and remember you’re experience watching and interacting with some of the more hilarious peeps from around the world.

Every eight to ten weeks we look to bring the biggest and hottest talent from the comedy scene directly to your city. But we’re not just adding to the pool of smaller comedy shows, we’re bringing it and we’re bringing it big. Big acts, big events, big(ish) venues and big laughs.

Deliverables: Website Design, Web Development, Creative Consultation

The Galapagos Archipelago comprises 13 large islands, 6 small islands, 42 islets and a number of small rocks and pinnacles, which make up a total land surface of 8,000km2.

The Galapagos Islands, located on the equator about 1000km (600m) west of Ecuador, were never part of mainland South America. They are a group of submarine volcanoes that grew progressively from the ocean floor, until they finally emerged above sea level about 4.5 million years ago and formed a group of islands. The islands have been added to and new islands have been forming ever since. Each island is formed from a single volcano, with the exception of Isabela, which comprises 6 volcanoes strung together.

Tectonic situation of the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are not formed at the junction of two or more tectonic plates, as are many of the world’s volcanoes. They occur within the Nazca Plate, and are interpreted to be the result of a ‘hot spot’. A “hot spot” is region of high thermic flux due to the presence of a magmatic plume ascending from the earths’ mantle. The rising magma pierces the oceanic crust in a weak part of the plate (e.g. where the plate is fractures) and magma is extruded onto the sea floor. Another classic hot spot is responsible for the formation of the Hawaiian Islands.

The Galapagos Archipelago is a chain of islands. This is not the result of movement of the hot spot, rather, the hot spot remains stationary and the Nazca plate drifts over it to the southeast (at a rate of about 3 inches, or about 6.5cm, per year), taking the older islands with it, while new islands form the to the North west. Thus the oldest island is Isla Espanola in the South west, while Fernandina and Isabela in the northwest are the youngest and most volcanically active.

Pahoehoe lava – with a ropey surface

Like the Hawaiian Islands, the Galapagos are basaltic in composition. Basalt has a relatively low viscosity and typically forms volcanoes with gently sloping flanks (<10 degrees), known as shield volcanoes. In plan, shield volcanoes are roughly circular or elliptical in shape. They are built up by frequent eruptions of fluidal basaltic lava issuing from a central vent or the flanks. Two main types of subaerial basaltic lava have been distinguished; Pahoehoe (which is the Hawaiian word meaning ropey) which is characterised by smooth, billowy, ropey and toe surfaces; and Aa (the Hawaiian name for hurt) which has a spinose and fragmented surface.

The submarine, or seamount stage of growth is represented by basaltic pillow lavas, hyaloclastites (quenched fragmented lava), and, as the seamount approaches the surface, by coherent submarine lavas. Above sea level, shield volcanoes are composed of lava flows, with limited scoria fall and spatter deposits.

The Galapagos shields have gentle lower slopes that rise to steeper central slopes (34 degrees) and ultimately flatten off to form spectacular summit calderas between 3 and 9km in diameter, the largest being on Sierra Negra. Calderas are large, broadly circular volcanic depressions that are usually formed by the collapse of the roof of a subsurface magma chamber. Collapse often occurs during or after the evacuation of the magma chamber by an eruption. An event of this type occurred for example, on Volcan Fernandina in 1968, when the caldera floor subsided by 300m.

Galapagos shield volcano

The dome-like shape of the Galapagos shields has been likened to an overturned soup plate, in comparison to the gently sloping overturned saucer-shape of the Hawaiian shields. Scientists have suggested that the presence of intrusive rocks (e.g. basalt dykes and sills injected into the lava pile)at a high level may account for their characteristic shape.

The Galapagos Islands are among the world’s most active volcanic areas today. There have been over 50 eruptions in the last 200 years, and many are recent fro example; Fernandina has erupted on a regular basis, every 4-5 years since 1968, with the last eruption being in 1995 when lava flowed into the sea, also Volcan Cerro Azul on Isabella has erupted regularly over periods of approximately tens years since the 1950’s (intervals were closer together before that), with the last eruption being only last year, when lava flowed down the south flank of the volcano.

PART 2: CLIMATE

One of the things that makes the Galapagos Islands so special is its climate. Firstly the islands themselves are isolated and are surrounded by several hundred miles of open ocean. Thus their climate is determined almost exclusively by ocean currents, which are themselves influenced by the trade winds that push them. The marine biota is also affected by these currents.

The Galapagos Islands are situated at a major intersection of several ocean currents, the cold Humboldt current (which predominantly influences the climate), the cold Cromwell current (also known as the Equatorial Countercurrent, which is responsible for much of the unique marine life around the Galapagos) and the warm Panama current. The intensity of these currents varies during the year, as the respective trade winds that blow them weaken. Thus two distinct seasons occur depending on which current is dominant at the time.

For most of the year the Galapagos is cooled by the upwelling of the cold Peruvian oceanic and the Peruvian coastal currents (known collectively as the Humboldt current), which sweep northwards from the Antarctic, pushed by the Southeast trade winds. The Humboldt current has a mean temperature of 15 degrees centigrade. Upon reaching the Galapagos platform, the cold nutrient rich waters surface from a depth of 100m. The cold waters cool the air above them, producing a temperature inversion. That is, instead of the air gradually cooling with increased elevation, as is the norm, the air at, and above the ocean surface is cooler than that above, thus a temperature inversion occurs.

Ocean currents affecting the Galapagos Islands

The inversion layer has several effects. Firstly it contains a high concentration of moisture droplets that have evapourated from the ocean. Since some Islands have volcanoes high enough to intercept the inversion layer this results in condensation of the moisture which produces a continuous mist at high level – this is called the Garua and gives its name to the cool, dry season, which lasts from May to December. Although the Galapagos highlands are keep damp during this period, the lowlands and low-lying islands remain bone dry.

The cold Cromwell current, also known as the subequatorial Countercurrent, is also a very important influence on the Galapagos islands. It is the principal reason why the marine environment around the Galapagos islands is so unusual. The Cromwell current is a deep flow of oceanic waters originating in the western Pacific. It runs beneath the Equator in the opposite direction to bulk westward movement of the surface waters, which form the South Equatorial Current. The Cromwell current has a temperature of only 13 degrees centigrade at its core. It runs thousands of miles along the depths of the ocean gathering nutrients which rain down from the surface layers above. When the current encounters the submarine Galapagos platform it upwells to the west of Fernandina and Isabela Islands and dissipates towards the center of the archipelago.

When the Southeast trade winds slacken, usually around December the Humboldt current looses its driving power. The north east trade winds become dominant sweeping the warm, but nutrient poor, waters of the Panama current south. The waters around the Galapagos are warmed to about 27 degrees centigrade and as a result the inversion layer breaks-up, allowing the tropical weather pattern to reassert itself. Cumulus clouds build up during the morning and a downpour occurs most afternoons, this is known as the rainy or warm season and lasts from December to May.

El Niño Events

This is the normal state of affairs for the Galapagos Islands. Some years however (every four to seven years) the south east trades winds do not develop sufficiently to sweep the Humboldt current northwards and the Panama current drastically warms the waters around the islands. This phenomenon is known as El Niño, named by the Spanish, meaning ‘the child’ because it typically begins around Christmas. On the positive side it brings lots of rain and favours vegetation growth, however it also has a drastic negative effect. Under normal circumstances the upwelling of the cold Humboldt current brings nutrients to the surface ensuring a plentiful supply of plankton for animals low down in the food chain, e.g., fish and squid. Without this occurrence the food chain is broken at a critical point and many larger animals such as the Galapagos fur seals, sea lions and marine birds such as Bobbies, Flightless cormorants and penguins starve to death as their food departs for deeper cooler waters.

Cold, nutrient-rich waters are warmed during El Niño events

In 1982-83 the Galapagos suffered the effects of an exceptional El Niño, which brought nine months of continuous rain to the Islands, very high humidity and sea surface temperatures of 30 degrees centigrade – and resulted in very high animal mortality. In 1997-98 the Galapagos suffered another drastic El Niño event and many animals were again effected, for example the populations some sea lions and boobies fell by as much as 50%. The Marine Iguanas also suffered even though they are vegetarian. The abnormally warm waters prevented the growth of the algae they feed on and although they switched to alternative food in many cases they were unable to digest it and literally starved to death with full bellies. A classic example of nature ‘bloody in tooth and claw’.

References / Acknowledgements

Cas RAF, Wright JV (1987) Volcanic successions: modern and ancient. Allen and Unwin.

Simkin T, Howard KA (1970) Caldera Collapse in the Galapagos Islands, 1968.

Simkin T, L Siebert, L McCelland, D Bridge, C Newhall and JH Latter (1980) Volcanoes of the world. A regional directory gazetteer and chronology of volcanism during the last 10,000 years. Smithsonian Institution. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Hutchinson and Ross.

Perry R (1984) Key Environments: Galapagos. Pergamon, UK

Thanks to Dr Jon Dehn (Alaska Volcano Observatory) and Dr Mike Branney (University of Leicester, UK) for searching the web for information on Galapagos Volcanoes.

Those who are interested can look at an up to date satellite image of Galapagos volcanoes at:

http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goese/autogvar/goes8/galapagos

Dr. Janet Sumner-Fromeyer

First and foremost. Diving is a sport where you need to listen to yourself. Diving in places like the Galapagos is as much mentally and emotionally demanding as it is physically demanding. I consider myself to be in decent shape , an experienced diver with over 5000 dives and I lost 8 pounds during my week long liveaboard in early 2010. This is not an article to scare divers. It is an article that I have written with additional content Teresa Zubi to ensure you are ready when you go:

Gear:

You know this, but service your gear and ensure you go on 1-2 dives within a couple weeks of your trip to ensure everything is working and you feel good with your diving skills. Also GPS, Safety Sausages, Signal Tubes, Mirrors and Sea Snips are a must have. Also you are probably bringing your camera so you will need a very strong and reliable tethering system

Vertical currents and eddies

Down current (vertical current down):
This is an area with fast downward shifting water which is coming from the surface. There are two indicators for this type of current. Fish are not swimming horizontally but vertically, mostly down but also wildly up and in circles. At the same time your bubbles start to go down instead up until the air is sucked down as soon as it leaves your mouth.

When large fish like mackerels are swept down past you, while clearly trying to swim up again it is time to find a coral head or a overhang to press closely against or hide under. Because if not, as soon as the current reaches more than a knot you won't be able to fin up against it and inflating your jacket won't help you either!

Up current (vertical current up):
You don't know how bad currents can be, until you experience a strong up-currents. As every diver knows, to be swept up too fast is very dangerous (decompression sickness, lung damage) and should be avoided at all costs. It is scary if you ever experience it.

Eddies: Washing machine / roller coaster:
An eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle. The moving fluid creates a space devoid of downstream-flowing fluid on the downstream side of the object. Eddies happen when currents run down in small cuts or dips in rock faces. They usually shoot down and do to the shape of the dip the current is pushed into a cylindrical motion. Similar to a washing machine. You can quickly get disoriented, remember bubbles head to the surface.

Ocean Currents

An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of ocean water generated by the forces acting upon this mean flow, such as breaking waves, wind, Coriolis force, temperature and salinity differences and tides caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun. Depth contours, shoreline configurations and interaction with other currents influence a current's direction and strength.

Galapagos Marine Ocean Currents

Humboldt Current
Predominate in the third quarter of the year the Humboldt Current runs up the west coast of South America from Antarctica. [This current is what brought penguins and fur seals to the Galapagos].

As the Humboldt Current moves through the islands during the 3rd and 4th quarter from June to November, it cools temperatures. The winds come from the southeast and create an inversion over the area. Low straight formed clouds cover the islands much of the day. A drizzle known as garua occurs in the highlands. The garua visibility is lower than the warmer months. Though there is more frequent precipitation this time of year the light rain made it difficult for settlers to collect water during this season. This time of year is referred to as the dry season.

Water temperatures during the cooler months of August and September range from 60° to 65°F [16° to 19°C] in the western islands to around 78°F [25°C] near Darwin and Wolf at the far north of the archipelago. The average water temperature is 70°F [21°C]. From October to December the water temperature drops to the between 60° to 70°F [16° to 21°C] range.

These later months are a good time for green sea turtle sightings [during their mating season] and shark sightings are still high, but rays are seen less frequently.

Panama Current
In November as the Humboldt Current leaves the Galapagos the warm waters from the Panama Current come to ta ke their place. These warm waters dominate the climate in the islands from January to May.

During these months the water temperatures rise to 70° to 80°F [21° to 27°C]. The air temperatures, which are no longer cooled create an inversion layer. The skies are clear and visibility is increased.

The marine life is excellent with many shark, ray and schooling fish sightings. This time of year the waters tend to have the best visibility and the best time of year for diving and snorkelling.

El Nino Current
Every 2 to 7 years the strong westward-blowing trade winds subside. These winds, which normally pull the warm waters to the west and allow the nutrient rich Humboldt Current to reach the Galapagos, fail to leave the islands. Instead the warm water slowly moves back eastward across the Pacific. The food chain is broken and the breeding cycle of many of the animals including;

Galapagos Penguins and Marine Iguanas , which feed off the upwelling is interrupted. Warmer water temperatures also cause an increase in the mortality rate of the young birds and animals. Plants, on the other hand, seem to thrive during El Nino years. Plants, which may not have flowered in years, will flower again due to the excess water.

Peruvians named this phenomenon El Nino, for the Christ child, because it first appears around Christmas. Major El Nino Currents occurred as recently as 1982 and 1998.

How to assess accurately the rate of current?

It is difficult to judge currents, but there are some indicators, which will tell a good observer more or less the rate of current. Fish react according to how strong the current is. Some seek shelter, others thrive in strong current. Observe small schooling fish like anthias or basslets and watch bigger fish like mackerels or trigger fish.

No current:

The small fish are swimming in every direction, in large schools distributed both vertically and horizontally over the reef.

Light current (to 1 knot):
The small fish are aligned, all facing up-current. If they are still in large, spread out schools, the current is around a half-knot. lf the schools are low and wide, swimming close to the coral, the current is closer to one knot. You are able to fin against this kind of current for a short time.

Medium current (1 to 2 knots):
The small fish are now hovering in a school spread out just barely above the coral and finning madly. A current of this strength begins to show in the behavior of the larger fish as well. They face the current and tend to concentrate behind coral heads or in other lee areas (lee =away from the wind / current). Most fish will now swim against the current, so if you do a drift dive, schools of fish will come towards you. In this kind of current it is already difficult to swim against.

Strong current (2 to 3 knots):
In this kind of strong current, the small fish are not seen, because they are all hiding among the branches of the coral. The big fish are gathered in lee areas, or very close to the bottom. On a drift dive in this kind of current you won't be able to stop and fin against if you want to look at something close up – so just enjoy the ride!

Very strong current (3 knots):
Now you won't need the fish as an indicator anymore. You are either swept along on a very fast drift dive or hiding behind a coral head. If you move your head around and face the current full on, your mask is fluttering and threatening to fly off, and your regulator begins to free-flow.

Too Much!!

Anything over 3 -4 knots is to strong and this is very dangerous for a diver! In a matter of minutes you can be kilometers away from the boat and if the seas are big, then it will become increasingly difficult to sea a signal tube. This is when GPS devices are a good idea.

If you don't hang on, use reef hooks or gecko dive then the currents in the galapagos will = very short dives. 3 knots = 5.4 km per hour, so you travel 2 km in 22 min.) or the current couldn't have been much more than a knot (2 km per hour is 1.1 knot). An example of this is when we dove Darwins arch, we had to Gecko dive for the first 30 min. This starts with a negative (no air in your BCD) backwards roll off the zodiac a quick decent in the current to about 50′. Then you would do what I call upside down bouldering. As you pull yourself along the reef and over to underwater cliff edges. You would hang out in these spots at around 80′ while looking out to see whale sharks and schooling hammerheads.

Then you would release and quickly shoot along the plateau (sandy bottom and reef between the arch and darwin island.) I would often choose to descend into the sand and dig in for a while as Hammerheads would fly overhead, other would continue to ascend and do there safety stops. I would ascend over the plateau, but could see members who were next to me 5 – 8 minutes earlier would be at the far end of Darwin island. Almost 1km away. It is a lot of work for the surface crew, and requires a lot of concentration from the divers. While surfacing you want to ensure you keep clear of caves or eddies that might be present along Wolf and Darwin Island.

When I was in the Galapagos diving off of Darwin's Arch we figured we were in a 4-5 knot current. We had 16 members on our boat and after our first dive, we only had 8 members will to test the rest of the dives at Darwin that day.

This is a picture of the ocean currents that was created in 1943

Geko diving:

Sometimes you have to do, what I call “Geko-diving” (geko = lizard) – climbing the coral wall, pulling yourself up with your hands and finning.

I know, this is very bad for the corals, but believe me, if the alternative is being swept down to 40 plus meter (130′) you do it! Try to only hold on to dead coral heads or other areas without life! But there is more you need to watch out for stinging hydroids and scoprion fish. Be careful where you put your hands.

Remember your training. Fin to the surface or use the rocks and dead corral as boulders to assist in your ascent. Do a safety stop. Even if you have to hug a rock. Do not inflate your BCD. When the current eases you will not be able to control your ascent with an over inflated jacket.

I try to surface over the reef top and not out in the blue so in case the current shifts or gets stronger I am only swept down to the reef. Sometimes though it is better to get away from the reef because the current is weaker there. Stop, Think and act, and tackle those tough choices.

Entry 1: Day , Vancouver: Disaster

So there I was at 6am at the Vancouver airport when the airline tells us they will not let us board the flight. They mentioned that my girlfriends passport expires within 6 months of our departure from Ecuador and could not go. Basically it is expires in 6 months and 2 days from now exactly, but because our departure is within six months we are FUBAR. Attempts at contacting the Ecuadorian consulate, or getting an emergency waiver have not brought any success

So it looks like I angered the black sand gods in Hawaii somehow and we are definitely going to miss the most expensive and anticipated portion of our galapagos trip (the dive live-aboard.) We are scrambling to salvage the rest and see if we can get there early next week.
Still in shock. Disappointed is an understatement…..

Entry 2: Day 1, Vancouver: The Amazing Race

So there I was. When the phone rang. My girlfriends mother had contacted someone in Calgary who contacted someone in Vancouver, who contacted a passport secret agent (I actually think she is a representative of the black sand god. We angered the black sand god a few years back in our trip to Hawaii, this resulted in a bat infestation in our condo….) We met with this secret agent today and for a large sum of $$ she got us an emergency passport in two hours.

Continental moved our flight until tomorrow, and now instead of flying to Isa Bella (in the Galapagos), we have to fly from Ecuador to Baltra, pay a tour operator to take us to our dive boat in a zodiac, and we will fortunately only miss our first day of diving but can catch the boat before it heads to Wolf and Darwin Island.

Amazing what you can accomplish on an empty stomach, a large dose of adrenalin, $1,500, and 7 hrs on the phone. Let's hope tomorrow goes as planned now that the black sand god has been paid off…..

Entry 3: Day 2, Vancouver to Quito: Planes, Planes, and Wild Taxis

So there I was, after 21 hours of travel and a beautiful lightning storm  landing in Quito; we finally arrived a few hours late  in Quito. The good news is we made it, the bad news is we are only going to be in the hotel for 4 hours before having to head back to the airport to catch our flight to Baltra.

Entry 4: Day 3, Quito: Counter 2, No Counter 3, No Counter 2

So there I was back at the airport in Quito at 5:30am. Went to try to pick up tickets for our trip to Baltra and they told us to go to Counter 2 to talk to ticketing agent. They then sent us to the Galapagos Park Fee team  (you have to have proof of fees to get a ticket to Galapagos,) who said that we had already paid and they sent us back to Counter 2, who sent us to Counter 1. Then they told us we had to go back to the airline counter, who sent us back to Counter 1. Counter 1 then talked to Counter 3. Who mentioned we need to wait for a tour guide to show up. 30 minutes later a tour guide rep shows up, help us out getting tickets. They then tag our luggage and give us the receipts, but wait there are only three receipts and we need four. Back to Counter 1, then back to Counter 3. Then back to Counter 1 . They print new luggage tags, but we have to remove our old tags.  Now they need to find our luggage in the back remove the old tags and put the new ones on. Time is ticking….

After 15 minutes we race to the huge security screening line and we got through in time to enjoy a giant breakfast sandwich drowned in 3 inches of mayo, before looking at my girlfriend and saying “Our ticket says to Galapagos, but we have to fly through Guayaquil you don't think they would only put Guayaquil on the board do you?” We then race to the boarding agent who says our plane was already boarding…. Sweet Jesus!! We almost missed it, but I am here on the plane and we are on our way.

Entry 5: Day 3, Galapagos, Baltra, Batralome: Miracles Happen

So there I was in Baltra. After a few glitches at the airport in Baltra (travel agent showing up after everyone else from the plane had left; Yes I was a little worried, nothing like be stuck at a military base in the middle of nowhere, and yes maybe some spanish lessons before we left would have been a good idea. Doux cervezas pour pa vour doesn't go very far. But in the end we finally made it. From the sounds of it, we missed nothing. Just a check out dive, and a long rough boat trip across the channel. Woo hoo! We spent the afternoon snorkeling with Galapagos penguins, and then hiked up to the peak Bartalome to watch the sunset on our first day in the Galapagos. The sunset pictures for Bartalome are one of the most famous in the Galapagos.

Update: Changes to Galapagos Live-aboards could affect land trips.

Entry 6: Day 4, Wolf Island: This Wolf doesn't have teeth but can be as dangerous.

So there I was on our first of 4 dives at Wolf Island. Waking up for the first time in the Galapagos was a relief after our first four days.  When you look out at the ocean and wolf island and descend the first time you are quick; very quick to realize that diving in the Galapagos is not for the faint at heart. There are thermoclines, raging currents, and very rough seas, especially close the islands. This ain't your grandmas dive trip! Wolf and Darwin are two orphan islands 125 miles north of the rest of the Galapagos. It is the only place I have dove, where you are required to hang on corral or rocks without reef hooks in order survive the currents.

I always tried to grab rocks first. Given the changing seasons visibility is between 30 -50′ and we saw schools of Galapagos and Hammerhead sharks. The challenge is they generally like to swim 30′ away so it is extremely hard to take photos with the current visibility and light.  To complicate things your free hand is usually being used to hold on a rock and you need that hand to focus your underwater camera gear (which is usually manual focus.) Also thermoclines create hazy water conditions, and the light drops off to the point where it is hard for your camera to pick anything up. So the experience was humbling and awesome at the same time, but I am not sure how many underwater pictures I will be able to share when I return. Let's keep our fingers crossed….

Entry 7: Day 5, Darwin Island: Survival of the Fittest.

So there I was after my forth dive at Darwin. The first two dives where spectacular, especially the second where we saw a school of about 50 hammer heads, the visibility was not great, and currents we still extreme so picture taking was difficult. But this was definitely a day of darwinism. The currents on our third dive we so strong, most people left their cameras on the boat so they could hold onto the rocks with both hands. But this current was ripping. So with camera in hand, and one hand basically free to do what I call underwater bouldering, you where in survival mode. It was scary. I was scared for the first time in a long time underwater.

I figure the currents at peak where greater than three knots. So strong that if you looked directly ahead the currents would start to pull your mask away from your face, and regulators would be depressed into a free flow. Only half the boat decided to the forth dive, as my girlfriend and many others opted out. My girlfriend opted out for other reasons. She had torn her dry gloves and she was hit in the nose with a tank during the backwards roll, on the third dive so she was feeling a little battered. I heard at dinnertime that people where in their rooms crying, happy to be alive after the experience. Many are left today deciding whether or not the risk is worth the reward. This not a place fore beginners, this is not a place where you are diving in a swimming pool. You need to understand your options, understand your training and experience. I definitely do not think I would recommend the Galapagos diving to anyone who was not extremely experienced and adventurous.

Entry 8: Day 6, Darwin & Wolf Island: Adventure Land

So there I was on my third dive of the day back at Wolf Island. We did two morning dives at Darwin and the conditions where similar to the previous day. My girlfriend had recovered from her diving injuries and just when we thought the diving could not possibly get anymore challenging. We were wrong.

The third dive today had both horizontal and vertical (upwells and down wells) currents. You would be hit with down currents that would take you from 70 – 100′ in a matter of seconds, and then three seconds later you where hit with a up current that would shoot you upwards until you grabbed onto a rock or corral head. Dive computer alarms were going off everywhere. Upon surfacing, it got scary fast. The dive charter usually has two tender boats that usually watch and pick up divers, but one had broken down and they could not fix it before the dive. So they took us out in two groups of 8.

When we surfaced the boat was full with 8 divers running them back to the Galapagos Sky Dancer, when we had to yell at them to come and get us because we where being dragged by a surface current towards some sharp rocks and a cave. It was dangerous!! So they raced back and managed to put 19 people, 12 cameras, and 16 sets of dive gear in a 20′ zodiac. It slowly made it way away from the island and we all prayed the little 50cc engine would not crap out or any waves would not break the over the bow and sink the boat before getting back to the mother ship safely.

When we got back and the group decided to have a party to celebrate. So we washed down our beef tenderloin with some gin and tonics, jack and cokes, and vino. Tonight we head a 100 miles back to the more civilized islands, where we will be diving in some much friendlier environments.

Entry 9: Day 7, Isabella : Bella Bella.

So there I was back within the larger group of Galapagos Islands. We had a wonderful day of peaceful diving. Actually what I believe was the best two dives of the trip. There was little current, schools of hammerheads, manta rays, eagle rays, and turtles. Very pleasant.  The visibility was still not great, but given three major ocean currents converge on this part of the world, the thermoclines and particulate in the water can be constant. We spent the afternoon hiking and I saw my first marine iguana, something I have been waiting 30 years to see. It was pretty cool, then you realize they are very common in the Galapagos. It didn’t ruin the moment, I was still crazy excited about filming my first swimming Godzilla.  It was nice to have a normal relaxing day without all the adventure today. It was much needed.

Entry 10: Day 8 , Puerto Ayorta, Gordon Rocks, Santa Cruz: Sea Legs

So there I was sitting at Hotel Sol Y Mar in the Galapagos. We had just check in. Our final day with the Peter Hughes live-aboard was spent diving in the morning at Gordon Rocks, where the sea lions came to play; we saw some more turtles, and maybe a tiger shark (who was probably interested in the sea lions, it was big and the visibility was not great.)

We visited the Darwin research station and saw the giant tortoises and Lonesome George. A 125-year-old tortoise, who is the last surviving member of his kind. Ecuadorians have tried everything to get him to mate. Actually that is a long story. First they did not know if he could mate, then apparently they created a movie screen and showed him tortoise porn for six months to get him in the mood. Since he has mated successfully with two females, but the eggs have not been viable. So he could be the last of his kind. They are thinking of cloning him, but they are still left with a male and must find a compatible female (the children will be hybrids not matter what.)

After being rocked gently, actually quite strongly to sleep each night, My girlfriend and I have sea legs and are slowly swaying back and forth as we walk the streets. Tomorrow we are off to Floreana Island for the day.

Entry 11: Day 9, Floreana Island: Miami Vice

So there I was riding on the back of a 30′ speed boat powered by twin 250′s. I felt a little like Sonny Crocket, which probably means that my girlfriend was Tubbs; but white and female, so I guess that doesn't work.

Anyhow, Floreana is 60km away and we got there in 90 min. So if you think about previous logs, and how big the seas are in the Galapagos you can do the math and figure out the airtime associated with the trip. It was a very pleasant excursion on the highlands where we saw more giant tortoises, plantations, and flora that could be boiled down into any number of different hallucinogens. Later we took a boat trip around the island and saw penguins, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, blue herons and much more. Victor our tour guide was very funny, and the way he got excited about the animal life, you would have thought he had never seen it before.

We have two more sleeps before we leave Galapagos and head back to Ecuador.

Entry 12: Day 10; Santa Cruz Island: Caught between a Rock and Poo Pond

So there I was eating dinner at the Rock restaurant on Santa Cruz and I could not stop thinking about the great day. We did a tour of the local water areas of Santa Cruz where we snorkeled, swam in small salt water ravines, and then spent the afternoon cruising through the highlands and then finally to a beach on the far side of the island.

The only dodgy thing today was our trip to a local salt-water swimming pond. A place many local kids challenge each other to become the ultimate cliff diver. The path to the swimming pond took us behind the Italian consulate and a pond that smelt quite funky. It wasn't until I returned that I realized that this pond is the sewage run off for the Italian consulate. “brutto odore!!” Italian food goes in nice but smells “maleodorante” when collecting in a hot Ecuadorian sun pond.

Luckily we had no open wounds and did not decide to go for a dip in the pond on the way to the swimming hole. Tomorrow we fly back to Quito and then are off to the Mindo Cloud Forest where we are staying at Bella vista eco reserve.

Entry 13: Day 11: Mindo Cloud Forest: Playing Tree House

So there I was after checking into the Bella Vista Eco Lodge, just in time to watch the sun set and clouds slowly creep back over the forest valley below. We were staying in an elaborately created tree house made of bamboo. I don't think my girlfriend had been this happy since the baby elephant came in the hotel in Thailand seven years ago. Most of today was spent in transit, but I am looking forward to tonight’s sleep amongst the creepy crawlies, and tomorrow’s hikes in search of toucans, hummingbirds, and coco leaves.

Entry 14: Day 12: Mindo Cloud Forest: Hummdinger

So there I was back at the Nu House Boutique Hotel, I had just finished 6 hours of hikes in the Mindo Cloud Forest after returning back to Quito. We hiked up waterfalls, climbed up rock faces using rope ladders, and went on amazing naturalist tour with the “Bird Whisperer.” We did everything from eating flowers that are used to create aspirin, rubbed Dragon Blood Sap on any open sores (which is used to cure basically everything,) applied numerous natural bug repellents, saw toucans, 20 different species of humming birds, and so much more. Tomorrow we are off to Cotopaxi to test the elements and altitude at one of the world’s largest and highest volcanoes.

Entry 15: Day 13: Cotopaxi, Quito: Dumb Canadians

So there I was back in Quito again after a long day. We had just finished our tour up to Cotopaxi and everything definitely did not go as planned. The weather on the trip so far has been amazing, and usually trips up to the base camp or refuge area can be completed in warm gear. Well today Jack Frost decided to interfere with our plans. The day started beautifully but as we got to the base area of Cotopaxi, which is just above 15,500’, it started to rain, then snow, then blizzard. You do a small hike up to the base camp area, which takes you up about 17,000′. I had layers for my upper body and figured I could manage some cooler temperatures with my shorts. Given the base is usually around 12 degrees. Well, the combination of frigid temperatures, and hikes at such extreme altitude seemed to be a little much. We shortly turned back and waited for the snow storm to pass to take a few overcast pictures. Feeling a little underprepared and overwhelmed. Altitude sickness is not to be messed with. It is generally recommended that you ascend no more than 3000’ per day. So spend a few days in Quito, and then head out to the Volcanoes. Cest la vie. Good news is it “crazy hour” across the street, mojitos, daiquiris, and beers are two for one, so we best get at er!

Entry 16: Day 14: Quito: Punch it Chewie!

So there I was back at the Nu House Hotel once again, after a tour of Quito city, the old town, churches, and a gondola ride to 13,500′. It was a very full day of site seeing before we leave Ecuador tomorrow for Bonaire. We had a private guide, David, pronounced Da veeed, and I have not seen driving like this since Schumacher and Villeneuve battled in out for the F1 crown in 1997. We flew around the city, like a plane in a red bull air race. I don’t know if I was scared or impressed. You might be thinking, ” that sounds like a typical taxi ride in South America,” but this was different. It was the original Grand Tourismo, for real. I had a grin the whole day, but I do not think my girlfriend saw it the same way. She would look out the side windows and avoid looking forward living in fear of being crushed between a dump truck and transit bus.

We also visited the centre of the world which I thought would be cheesy but it is interested to see how water will actually drain straight down on the equator, but move it 3′ to the north or south and you get the old toilet bowl joke. Water goes clockwise and counter clockwise based on the gravitational fields of the planet. I thought you would have to move much more than 3′ but that is all it took. It was like grade four science class all over again. We also learned how to properly sever and shrink a head in order to preserve our important family members or warn off our enemies. I have pics and I will share when I return.

Tonight we are going to do it up right. 2×1 mojitos and some Ecuadorian grub at the Q restaurant on the corner, then we are off to Bonaire tomorrow. So this will be the last log in the Galapagos / Ecuador adventure log, as the next week will be spent in the following order. Wake up, eat, dive, eat, dive, snack, night dive, eat, drink, drink so more, sleep. Repeat daily for seven days.

My Dive week in Bonaire: 20 Dives, 22 hrs bottom time.

1. Reef Scientifico
2. La Machaca
3. Alice in Wonderland
4. Angel City
5. Mi Dushi
6. Buddy's Reef
7. La Machaca
8. Reef Scientifico
9. Cliff
10. Ebo's Special
11. Aquarius
12. Larry's Lair
13. Cliff
14. Reef Scientifico
15. Hilma Hooker
16. Captain Don's Reef
17. La Machaca
18. Rock Pile
19. Petries Pillar
20. Cliff

Today I was thinking about  funny divers are. They are generally some of the friendliest people you will ever come across, but we have some interesting qwerks. You don't notice it when you're on a live-aboard in the middle of the world thinking about all your preventative safety techniques, watching people put additional masks in their pockets in fear of loosing their primary on the dive. But when you are in a relaxed, sunny environment, diver watching is a must. Today I watched the members on our day boat in Bonaire. Bonaire diving is the easiest diving in the world. They believe in dive freedom so everyone is very relaxed.

First you survey the boat to see who has the latest titanium regulator, or who has a scubapro from 1970. Either way you are a badass with a different kind of respect. Over there, that guy has a 7′ hose, he must do some extreme shit!  No wait he looks nervous and has 24 lbs on his weight belt and is only wearing a dive skin. Maybe he is just prepared, maybe he has read the latest DIR manual? You survey again to see who the rookie is. Who is the person who put their tank on backwards, or forgot to turn their air on. Is anyone there because their dad, mom, wife, or husband made them.

Then the dive brief, where you hear about creatures you will encounter, with a healthy dose of humour, stories and folklore. Then divers dawn their wetsuits. For divers this is not a thermal protection, it is a suit of armour. Each with unique ornamental characteristics. You walk the boat like it is a catwalk so everyone knows how much time you spent colour coordinating your scuba equipment. Then you take the plunge, showing everyone your amazing modification of the giant stride entry. You quickly descend  to 40′ showing you have no problems equalizing. You are a pro. You float on the gentle currents, inhaling sweet nitrox (oxygen enriched air) snapping pictures, ensuring everyone see your amazing yoga buoyancy skills. Perhaps an inverted upside down macro shot. A horizontal triangle stance  while composing the perfect  long shot. But lets not forget the classic frog /  mountain hover position.

After you return to the boat last, you are greeted with a certain amount of discontent. Those members who could improve their technique have been getting sunburned and sea sick why they waited. Unless of course it is a live-aboard. Then life is good. Everyone ascends to a delightful array of cool fresh showers, frosty drinks, and hot food. After a quick rinse and group discussion of all the cool life  you encountered or missed.;  You check your watch.  25 minutes until the next dive. Here we go again….

At LeisurePro.com there are two of the best Heads Up Display Masks on offer, the Aeris CompuMask HUD and the Oceanic DataMask HUD, both equally as good.

Aeris CompuMask HUD (Heads Up Display) Hoseless Nitrox Dive Computer

The Aeris CompuMask which retails at LeisurePro at a special price of around $1195, offers both air and Nitrox diving. The clear magnified LCD display in mask, with an adjustable backlight intensity makes the readout easily readable and not distracting while underwater. The Dive Computer turns on automatically when diving, and provides audible alarms underwater to alert the diver of limits.  The dive computer batteries on the Aeris can be replaced by the user, making this an even better buy.

Oceanic DataMask HUD (Heads Up Display) Hoseless Nitrox Dive Computer

The Oceanic DataMask HUD, is such a great dive computer with advanced computing functions that it makes the Head’s Up Display feature almost secondary. Retailing at LeisurePro.com at around $1195, the Oceanic also offers both Air and Nitrox diving, audible alarms and user replaceable batteries.  The clear LCD displays critical dive information like current depth, elapsed dive time, cylinder pressure, and dive time remaining.  With just two buttons to change settings and intuitive functions,  the DataMask is pretty easy to use.

The overall verdict is that Mask fitted HUD Dive Computers are definitely here to stay; and will probably change the way recreational Scuba Divers monitor their dive data in the future. As of now, both the Aeris CompuMask and theOceanic DataMask make great purchases for anyone wanting to constantly monitor dive data while not wanting to miss out on the dive. The convenience and functions that both these products offer are well worth their price.

I woke up Monday morning to take the dog for a walk along Mackenzie Beach in Tofino where I stumbled across a very strange site. There where a number of squid that had washed ashore and  I was a little concerned. Being an advocate of the marine world and priding myself on having a fairly good understanding of the marine ecosystem; I at first thought they looked like Humboldt squid but knew they did not live in the cooler waters this far north. Humboldt squid have been a species I have been fascinated with ever since I saw a documentary by National Geographic in which they where trying to determine their maximum potential size.

This documentary speaks about how aggressive this species can be and how a 4 -6′ squid could easily overpower a human. A species that must be treated with a lot of respect during a dive in the Sea of Cortez; especially a night dive when they are out hunting!

I took a number of pictures and took a trip down to the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre to ask some of the local experts and they did not have any answers as they had not seen this species before. Later that night we had a discussion with a couple of local boaters who mentioned strange alien water sightings for the past week.

Later I learned that more than 150 Humboldt squid had washed ashore along the coast from Ucluelet to Tofino.Biologist Josie Osborne with the Raincoast Education Society said the immature juveniles were found on the Tofino shore Sunday night and throughout the day Monday.

“Some biologists report that this expansion in range may be linked to climate change,” Osborne said.Similar “mass strandings” to the one at Chesterman Beach have happened on beaches in the United States.

In 2004, dozens of Humboldt squid, a predator normally found in warmer southern waters, were stranded on Long Beach, Wash. Three weeks ago, dozens more washed ashore in La Jolla, Calif.

“What probably happened is that a large school of these predatory squid were chasing their prey, mackerel and herring, which are this far north because of the warmer ocean waters common to El Nino events,” Osborne explained.

“Normally, these squid are found in at least 200 metres of water, but these immature squid probably came near the surface, perhaps encountered colder water or currents and became stranded on the beach.”

This information combined with stories of infrequent bear sightings by tour operators and surfers talking about the unusually warm water has increased my fear over the global warming crisis. Tofino has always been a very special place to me and I am saddened to see these global events impacting one of my favourite destinations.

Opportunity: Re-design all major portions of the Sportsbetting website, while maintaining the current brand direction; clean, trustworthy & approachable. Architect an experience to provide clear and simple user flows, an optimized SEO and meta framework, and an extensible interface design that aligns with product roadmaps and promotions. Re-design led to increased sign ups, less churn, and increased frequency of visits.

The Story: Sportsetting.com takes pride in the quality gaming experiences they provide. They are amoung the world's largest online entertainment and sports wagering websites. They have been operating for almost two decades and have always been committed to fair play, while providing the best gaming and hospitality experiences for their members.

Deliverables: Website Design, Interactive Architecture, Search Engine Optimization,

Opportunity: The Global Diving Network was created for divers by divers to give you all the tools needed to share, explore, and stay informed so you can enjoy the best underwater experiences available.

The Story: Over the past 20 yrs, shark finning, whaling, pollution and many other issues have led to massive decreases in large fish and apex predator numbers. and to the overall degradation of the marine world. As a diver and designer we are responsible for the welfare of mankind and it’s environment as our key practical objective. We must reverse the degradation of the marine world. So how do we do this?

Exposure and education; Create a useful service that is meaningful to people. By signing up with the Global Diving Network you can keep track of your dive logs, find buddies, find eco friendly dive equipment, learn how to dive, share videos and photos and plan dive trips. Most importantly, we will increase awareness on the current plights of the marine world by always providing you information and activities to share with family & friends.
The Global Dive Network is a place for everyone to experience and share their adventures in the underwater world. It advocates eco awareness, it encourages people to dive and provides a place for divers to connect.

It is “One Place to Dive.”

Deliverables: Brand, Interaction Design, Business Plan, Distribution Strategy