Turner Forte Photography Blog » underwater photography

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

Turner Forte Photography- Hoerzu Wissen

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:58:26 +0000

James’ shot of this lovable clownfish and anemone was published recently in a German magazine called Hoerzu Wissen. Most people think of Nemo when they see it. Here’s what James said about the photo:

“The clownfish photo was taken in the Solomon Islands on a reef named Velvia Reef. The photo was taken at night while clownfish are calmer. I marked the area during the day with a buoy so I could come back at night and take pictures when the animals are more relaxed. Clownfish during the day tend to dart all over and hide from you. At night they sleep or relax in the safety of the anemone. The anemone info is: magnificent sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica. These anemones are poisonous top fish, but not man. Hence they offer protection to the clownfish from predators.”

Clownfish in Anemone

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’s 2010 Wall Calendar, Turner Forte Photography

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:42:06 +0000

Outside Magazine picked up James’s shot for their 2010 Wall Calendar. Pick one up and in June of next year, a curious sea lion will be staring you in the face! Happy Holidays to all!

Outside Magazine's 2010 Wall Calendar

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

Underwater stock photograph from The Channel Islands, California

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:21:56 +0000

Next time your at the bookstore or near a magazine rack, check out the current issue (January 2009) of Outside Magazine. James’ recent shot of a sea lion can be seen on the last page as their Parting Shot feature. This sea lion pup is playing in the shallow water so that it is protected from predators in deeper water. The shot is taken at Santa Barbara Island, the smallest of The Channel Islands and home to a large sea lion rookery. The sea lions create ‘chutes and ladders’ on a steep sandy cliff wall of the island. They rest on little outcroppings, then slide down into the water- an impressive multilevel sight. Enjoy!

Sea lion

National Geographic Image Collection

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:04:58 +0000

National Geographic Image Collection, or National Geographic Stock, is highlighting one of James’ seastar images on their rotating homepage. Once there, you can also search his stock imagery in their collection by entering his name into the QuickExplore box. Enjoy!

Underside of a seastar

Turner Forte Stock

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:23:45 +0000

We’ve recently added some Baja, Fiji, and Australia images to our stock site. The site is starting to really show some underwater and international destinations. We have many locations yet to digitize, but this is a start! Take a browse on our site when you have a chance!

Turner Forte Stock