Back from Bahamas!
Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 3:44PM 
Surrounded by lemon sharks, tiger sharks, nurse sharks, reef sharks, and playing with spotted dolphins in the gin clear, azure blue ocean of the Bahamas, against the backdrop of postcard sunsets, shared with wonderful people from all corners of the globe, was my recent privilege enjoyed.
This exciting photographic expedition was all part of the book I’m writing, a new shark awareness campaign I will be launching, and a collaboration with Michael Aw, world-renowned underwater photographer and shark conservationist, on a shark awareness campaign he too will be launching. Not only is Michael famous for his stunning underwater imagery, but he also has a reputation for putting together some of the most amazing dive and photographic expeditions, some of which I have been privileged to join him on. I highly recommend any aspiring photographer or plain keen diver to join one of Michael’s trips. Go to his website to find out which awesome spot in the ocean he is planning on visiting next.
A beautiful nurse shark glides past Michael Aw. The Dolphin Dream was our home for 10 days, a great liveaboard owned and run by Scott Smith, who knows this part of the ocean, and in particular the dolphins, better than the back of his hand, supported by his Dream team, Mike Ellis (talented underwater photographer in hiding), Travis, and Gail. Thanks to them all for making it such a wonderful experience.
While we were at sea, without any cell phone or Internet connection, disaster struck Japan. The devastation caused by the earthquake, followed by a tsunami, continues as the nuclear calamity unfolds resulting in what is considered Japan's greatest disaster since 1945, World War II. I reach out with love and light to all the people and animals affected. I can’t help feeling that despite natural disasters happening since the birth of planet Earth, it is as if the ocean, our planet, is fighting back.
I’ve hit the ground running what with excitng new projects taking off at AfriOceans, and no sooner have I returned only to prepare to leave again for the London International Dive Show (LIDS) where I will be a guest speaker on the 26th and 27th March. I look forward to meeting the London audience and sharing with them my work in conservation and with sharks in particular.
I would love to share more with you about my Bahamas trip, and of course my images, but will have to save it till my return after the 30th March.
For this expedition a big thanks to my sponsors, Coral Wetsuits for my interesting yum, yum yellow wetsuit (more about this next time), Scubapro and Michael Aw Expeditions, and to the beautiful ocean, her sharks and dolphins which I truly love.
Till later then, watch my space!
Reader Comments (4)
Lesley, you and Michael Aw rock, the lives you lead and work you do is such a dream one. I am new to underwater photography and keen to learn from a master like Michael so will check out his expeditions - thanks for sharing. Do you know if he plans to do the Bahamas trip again? Thanks for all your inspiring work with the oceans.
Just awesome ........
Stunning pictures! I love your work and thank you for sharing your travels and sharing the beauty most will never see through your stunning pictures. I am an underwater photographer and still learning. I admire your work and would like to learn from you as you inspire me. All i wish is to be half as good as you! Your work is different to other underwater photographers. Please can you let me know if you will be returning to tiger beach again as I would like be part of that group if possible. I live the in USA. Cant wait to see more of your pictures. Thank you.
Thanks all for the kind words. Kevin, I don't know if Michael plans to go back, please contact him direct via link supplied. Christopher, please contact me direct re my future plans and photographic expeditions: lrochat@iafrica.com