Basking Sharks

THE sun had already shone for a few days; magnificent sun sets and warm if non existent winds caressed the surface of the flat waters of the cove. Surfers gathered for a paddle and barbies were lit. Wetsuits were left in the cars and vans and some took to the ocean in their swim wear. The water was thick with the krill and the nutrients that feed our majestic visitors. So it was a tense moment when the large sharks emerged out of the mist. Huge shoals of Sand eels fluxed in unison beneath the surface. The clever one at the front tried desperately to circle behind the alien cameraman, though it seemed to have forgotten about the thousand mates behind who streamed across my path of vision for minutes to come. The sea bed below washed in the sunlight as I hovered over the dunes of a vast desert. Weeds swayed, Blenies darted and no complaints were made of the lack of swell as the Basking sharks had come.

I paid as much respect as I could to the gentle creatures and let them come to me rather than hassle them, they obliged greatly as they came close. I couldn't swim away in fear of frightening them and catching the end of that powerful tail fin. It's an odd feeling as you lie still and get checked out by such a large and sleepy creature with the potential energy, if caught in a net, to sink small boats. They travel vast distances, yet a child could almost swim alongside as they graze, .

I hope you enjoy the video, it was a wonderful feeling sharing the water with such excellent creatures and I was so lucky on my first filming expedition ever to get such great footage. look out for some short surf movies in the future and a little more of mother nature. I think i really like this filming lark.

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