Turner Forte Photography Blog » Baja

Diving with Dolphins, Jacks, Trumpet fish, Yellow Fin Tuna and many more critters at Socorro, San Benedicto, and Roca Partido the Revillagigedo Islands by Turner Forte Photography

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:29:36 +0000

Here is a blog post titled “Diving Here is Like Swimming in an Aquarium” that I wrote and was published by Nautilus Explorer on their blog. Of course, I included a few photos below too!

The boiler today proved once again that diving here can be like swimming in an aquarium. We entered the water with schools of Big Eye Trevally Jacks in the blue around the boiler and thousands of colourful Wrasse’s all around the top of the boiler. Dropping down and moving around the nooks and crannies are filled with lobsters, moray eels, hawk fish of all sizes and varieties, and an occasional octopus den. Moving deeper we found groups of Moorish idols feeding along the wall and Bluefin Trevally swimming just outside of us trying to figure out what we were up to. Rounding the north end of the boiler we ended up in an unusually large school of Burrito Grunts. After a fantastic lunch by Juan Carlos we returned for a second dive at the boiler that proved to us once again that thousands of fish in all shapes and sizes and colors would adorn our dive. In the distance beyond the jacks we had a large school of Yellow Fin Tuna that circled the boiler for most of the dive and just before we were getting ready to head in we had one last visit with a Giant Pacific Manta that swam into our group and waved us all a goodbye.

Yellow Fin Tuna, Roca Partida, Revillagigedo Islands, Baja Mexico

Large school of Big Eye Trevally Jacks, San Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands, Baja Mexico

Playful Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, San Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands, Baja Mexico

A rainbow of Trumpet fish, Roca Partida, Revillagigedo Islands, Baja Mexico

I spy an octopus at Roca Partida, Revillagigedo Islands, Baja Mexico

Giant Pacific Manta Rays underwater at San Benedicto Island (Islas Revillagigedos), Baja California, Mexico by Turner Forte Photography

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:21:56 +0000

Giant Pacific Manta Rays are beautiful creatures that can be found through out the Seaof Cortez and waters off many of the islands . They glide through the ocean with grace and never fail to intrigue. Down in the Revillagigedo Islands with Nautilus Explorer, we saw a few and I captured them to show you here:

Remora catches a ride with a Giant Pacific Manta Ray,San Benedicto Island (Islas Revillagigedos), Baja California, Mexico

Diver swims along with Giant Manta Ray, San Benedicto Island (Islas Revillagigedos), Baja California, Mexico

Diver follows Giant Manta Ray, San Benedicto Island (Islas Revillagigedos), Baja California, Mexico

Giant Pacific Manta Ray gently glides through water, San Benedicto Island (Islas Revillagigedos), Baja California, Mexico

Diving with Silky and Galapagos Sharks at the Revillagigedo Islands by Turner Forte Photography

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:10:12 +0000

Here’s a selection of both galapagos and silky sharks from our Revillagigedo Islands trip with Nautilus Explorer.

Free diving at night with silky shark, Revillagigedo Islands

Silky shark attracted to yellow fins (not tuna!), Revillagigedo Island

Galapagos shark under the surf, Revillagigedo Islands

Silky shark portrait, Revillagigedo Islands

White tip reef shark pack on the hunt, Revillagigedo Islands

Silky shark, Revillagigedo Islands

Silky shark side view, Revillagigedo Islands

Galapagos shark comes into view, Revillagigedo Islands

Revillagigedo Islands- Scuba Diving Trip by Turner Forte Photography

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:58:58 +0000

We’re just home from an epic scuba diving trip down to the Revillagigedo Islands and the Sea of Cortez with the Nautilus Explorer. These deserted and far away islands including Socorro, San Benedicto, and Roca Partida are about 250 miles off the tip of Baja, or 30 hours by boat. The islands are volcanic in nature and home to a plethora of marine life including Pacific Giant Mantas, a variety of sharks, dolphins, whales and more. Here is a taste of the view above water…stay tuned for our underwater shots next!

Roca Partida the tip of an submerged island, Revillagigedos Islands

Boobie bird greets us upon arrival, Revillagigedo Islands

San Benedicto Island detail, Revillagigedo Islands

Sea lion and pup, Los Islotes Island, Sea of Cortez

Scuba Divers geared up and ready to go underwater at the Revillagigedo Islands

Sport Diver- Turner Forte Photography

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:01:06 +0000

James captured this free diver swimming after a Manta Ray down in Baja, Mexico. It has such great movement and intrigue… Definitely makes me want to be there! Check it out in this month’s Sport Diver…

Outside Magazine & Turner Forte Photography

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:35:25 +0000

Pick up the current October issue of Outside Magazine and see some of our photos. On page 10, you’ll find James’s amazing shot of Mobula Rays underwater. This shot was taken in the middle of the day so it should be really bright, but instead the rays have blocked out all the light. With this dense cloud of rays swimming overhead, James says it was like an eclipse!

Mobula Rays Eclipse

In a way different part of the world, here are a couple shots from Marfa, Texas. If you ever find yourself on the lone highways of West Texas, this artsy and eclectic town is a must!

Marfa, Texas

Baja Gray Whale photographs in San Ignacio Lagoon

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:24:16 +0000

Whale watching in Baja California is one of the greatest adventures anyone can do!

We visited San Ignacio Lagoon and stayed with Baja Ecotours. The Staff at Campo Cortez exceeded our expectations and made our trip great. During the months of December through April Gray Whales winter birthing and mating sanctuary is the San Ignacio Lagoon. Included are some of the many photographs we took above and below the water.

More photos will be posted on our stock site here soon.

Our group getting ready to pet a Gray Whale.

Gray whale approaching the boat for a rub on the nose.

Gray whale approaching the boat for a rub.

Close up picture of a Gray whale eye underwater.

Mother and calf Gray whale pair underwater.

Gray whale taking a look at us above the water, also called "spy hop"

The Great Outdoors | PDN + National Geographic Traveler

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:39:18 +0000

One of our shots was recognized in the current July issue of PDN.

The Great Outdoors is a new contest put on by PDN and National Geographic Traveler. Check it out if you get a chance!

PDN, Photo District News

Job for WWF in Mexico

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:56:05 +0000

Here are a few shots of Humpbacks down in Baja. Amazing their size when you can see the person to compare!

humpbacks!

James in Baja

admin — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:11:31 +0000

James is down in Baja on a 5 week photo expedition with the WWF. Here’s a shot of him before jumping in the water to chase a whale. Cheers!

james in baja!