Turtle at Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico

Last night we were having drinks with some friends when the topic turned to our adventures underwater... especially at Desecheo Island. I was reminded of this photograph I made at the Island. Usually we see underwater photographs made in wonderful color. This image was made when I was working a bit with BW underwater photography using a dark red/orange filter and no strobe light. I was leading a tour and this Hawksbill turtle came by to check us out. It swam with us for several minutes and as long as we kept our distance the turtle was quiet comfortable.

You never know what you will see out at the Island. Its a great destination for divers, of course and also for snorkelers. The water is so clear that even from the surface you can see everything on the bottom 40 feet more and less below. Taino Divers is the best ticket out to the island. Be sure to book early as they do sometimes fill up. Its a great day out and can be a wonderful, memorable part of a trip to Puerto Rico.

Reef life at Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico

Its been a bit since I have written about the diving at Desecheo Island and so I thought I would remind readers just why it is so well regarded. We have recently had a number of Lemontree guests who have booked a trip to the Island with Taino Divers, which is pretty much the only ticket out to Desecheo. Its a great day's outing for divers or snorkelers. I made this photograph after coming back from a deeper dive out at Candyland. This shot overlooks the sand channel that forms a divide between a zone of seafans and the shore line rock reefs. It was taken in about 40 feet of water. As you can see the reef was crowned with a wide variety of tropicals. Typically, these fish are a bit skittish of large bubble blowing creatures. Stealth and calm were the key for me. In truth when I am photographing the reef, a shallow dive is the best. You use less air at shallower depths, the light is better, and so you have more time to compose and see an image than if you are deeper and working hard to keep up with a tour. If you are a good diver and have a buddy who will hang out with you, some of the best opportunities for photography are right under the boat.