Reality check

[Clay Coleman]

I wasn't diving last Friday, but I had an experience that relates to anyone who gets close to large animals with big teeth and prehistoric brains. I was shooting alligators, subjects I've dealt with hundreds if not thousands of times before without incident. As always, my prime objective was to get close enough for a quality shot before the subject bailed into the water. However, on this day the subject simply "went off" and charged me. I was kneeling on a clear patch of ground behind a camera on a tripod, but I was able to get myself and the gear out of the way in time. Confidence is good; disrespect can be dangerous. Something to think about.

http://claycoleman.tripod.com/bc8bdd50.jpg

http://claycoleman.tripod.com/bd5bcd00.jpg
Clay

[Jonathan Bird]

Glad you lived!

How did you manage to get such shallow depth of field? Is that a really long lens?

Jonathan

[Clay Coleman]

Thanks for that heartfelt concern, JB! No danger of dying ('gator was only about 6' long), but I think it would have left a mark. I was shooting with a Sigma 70-300 on a Nikon D80. The 'gator made an initial charge, which surprised me, and I racked back quite a bit--probably to about 100mm. Took the 2 shots (in reverse order as shown), and the little sob came again. I was ready that time and beat a hasty and undignified retreat. Of course, Sharon was laughing her head off from a safe distance, and she greeted me with, "CCCClay! I think he's trying to KKKKill you!" in classic "Fish Named Wanda" style. Still, it's unsettling when an animal reacts so unexpectedly. I've never had one do that before.

[Jonathan Bird]

No, that WAS heartfelt concern! Can you imagine what would have happened if you were eaten? Nevermind the media frenzy, Underwater Photo Chat would lose its only other mod! Furthermore, there would be an opening on the Tiger shark trip and people would be fighting over it. It would get ugly!:eek:

;)

I had a big *** monitor lizard charge me in Malaysia a few years ago (seriously!) and it scared the crap out of me. I don't trust reptiles!

Jonathan

[Clay Coleman]

I had a big *** monitor lizard charge me in Malaysia a few years ago (seriously!) and it scared the crap out of me. I don't trust reptiles!

Jonathan

I'm glad you lived!

P.S.: Do tiger sharks have big teeth and prehistoric brains?

[Sealizard]

Glad to know all your digits are still intact, Clay.

The only comparable experience I ever I had was a mako that tried to take a snap at me. The most interesting part of that was that just before it occurred, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. He was coming at me from behind, and I instinctively pulled my fins up just in time to see him shoot a very few inches underneath me.

Sneaky beast.

[Jonathan Bird]

That's nothing! Once I was nearly devoured by a gigantic nudibranch! Damn thing snuck up on me! :D

[Warren_L]

Thanks for that heartfelt concern, JB! No danger of dying ('gator was only about 6' long), but I think it would have left a mark. I was shooting with a Sigma 70-300 on a Nikon D80. The 'gator made an initial charge, which surprised me, and I racked back quite a bit--probably to about 100mm. Took the 2 shots (in reverse order as shown), and the little sob came again. I was ready that time and beat a hasty and undignified retreat. Of course, Sharon was laughing her head off from a safe distance, and she greeted me with, "CCCClay! I think he's trying to KKKKill you!" in classic "Fish Named Wanda" style. Still, it's unsettling when an animal reacts so unexpectedly. I've never had one do that before.

I don't know about you, but I've never seen a real live croc up close, but one that's 6 foot long sounds pretty big to me. Eek.

[sorvju-f]

That's nothing! Once I was nearly devoured by a gigantic nudibranch! Damn thing snuck up on me! :D


Do gigantic nudibranch have big teeth and prehistoric brains?:cool:

[Ken Hawk]

That's nothing! Once I was nearly devoured by a gigantic nudibranch! Damn thing snuck up on me! :D

You must have being on a very slow shutter speed, have you tried Av priority
Ken:)

[Ken Hawk]

Thanks for that heartfelt concern, JB! No danger of dying ('gator was only about 6' long), but I think it would have left a mark. I was shooting with a Sigma 70-300 on a Nikon D80. The 'gator made an initial charge, which surprised me, and I racked back quite a bit--probably to about 100mm. Took the 2 shots (in reverse order as shown), and the little sob came again. I was ready that time and beat a hasty and undignified retreat. Of course, Sharon was laughing her head off from a safe distance, and she greeted me with, "CCCClay! I think he's trying to KKKKill you!" in classic "Fish Named Wanda" style. Still, it's unsettling when an animal reacts so unexpectedly. I've never had one do that before.

Now a photo of a 6 inch gator attack would be well worth seeing.
Wish I had seen the incident :eek:
Bye the way I am still LOL
Thanks Ken

[Jonathan Bird]

Do gigantic nudibranch have big teeth and prehistoric brains?:cool:

Well, how about a radula and a nerve ganglion?