Yup, those are the Pitons. The tallest one darn near killed me…it was like climbing a ladder for two miles!
My family recently returned from a couple of weeks on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Known as ‘the Helen of the West Indies’ it fully lives up to the nickname. It’s lush, volcanic and reminds me of Kauai (which I consider to be the most gorgeous place on earth).
The first week was spent with family. We hiked an insanely steep volcanic mountain (Gros Piton), went horseback riding, zip-lined, rode ATVs and drank a substantial amount of rum. Plus I learned how to drive on the left side of the road…and that was truly entertaining!
The second week was just my wife Anita and I. One of the reasons we had picked St. Lucia was because of the incredible scuba diving there: we took full advantage and dove every day.
Over the past five years, I’ve struggled to grasp the fundamentals of underwater photography…with mixed results. But on this trip, my equipment worked perfectly (which is NEVER a sure thing). Plus, I fell into a grove and started to get images I was really happy with. These may not be ‘world class’ photos but just the same, I want to share them so you can appreciate the amazing, bizarre and captivating world that lays just below the ocean’s surface.
This little gal was a very cooperative subject and let me fill a good part of a memory card while capturing her portrait.
Anita indulging in her favorite underwater activity: Wreck Diving.
Scorpionfish: Creator of the original ghillie suit!
Jack Elam had nothing on the Lizardfish
“Don’t look up!” Banded Coral Shrimp just hanging around.
“Who…me?!” Juvenile Grouper hiding in a Strawberry Vase Sponge
♫You Poor unfortunate soul♪ Vocal stylings by the Goldentail Morey Eel..
“I have you now!” They might look like the Darth Vader of the depths but Moray Eels actually go out of their way to avoid divers.
“Waiting for the Starship Troopers” This Spider Crab looks like an extra in my favorite Science Fiction movie.
One of the earth’s most elegant creatures: a young Spotted Drum
A whole bed of garden eels. They sway back and forth in unison as the current shifts.
I know that most of you read this blog because of an interest in landscape or wildlife photography, but I hope you don’t mind this little side-trip into another fascinating part of our incredible earth.
Jeff
PS: If you go diving in St. Lucia, Anita and I highly recommend Scuba Steve’s. Steve and Shirley have one of the most personable dive operations we’ve experienced anywhere.
Underwater St. Lucia
