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.

Crab and coral, Desecheo Puerto Rico

We are looking at a really substantial swell to roll in in a couple of days... which will knock out diving here as the water will be too rough to make the passage out to Desecheo Island. So, thinking about it I thought I'd bust an image I made there. This particular image was made at the Aquarium... one of my favorite tours. The crab was bold and just kept on moving, pausing and moving again. I had the strobe with me that day and was able to make this fetching portrait.

Its a red crab and was about twice the size of your outstretched hand. Moved pretty well and did not seem to mind my presence.

There is a ton of things to do here involving the water... below, on and beside. This is just one of them.

Its the small things that count: Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico

In diving it is only natural for divers to hope to get a glimpse of the larger animals that can be seen by the reef. Turtles, sting rays, octopus, dolphins and so forth. Now, while I have seen all of these creatures and more at Desecheo Island and on our near shore reefs, there are other wonderful creatures as well.

Above is a picture of a small hermit crab in a snail shell hiding in the cleft of a sponge. This fellow is about as big as a thumb nail... including his shell. It takes some luck and patience to spot one like this. Usually they will hide or duck into their shell if they sense something large near by. Buoyancy control... moving slowly... being still and watchful are the keys. On some dives, I just hang by a small patch of coral under the boat for the entire dive... looking and shooting. its just amazing the diversity of life on the reef and it is all accessible if one gives up the urge to go on the chase for the big one.

Stingray Bay - Desecheo Island

I made this photograph in Stingray Bay on the way out to Ladder Reef at Desecheo Island. The depth was about 50 feet and the temperature in the water close to 85F. The Southern Stingray is not an unusual sight at Desecheo, although it is not an everyday occurrence that you get to see one quite so up close and personal. The larger creatures are what most hope to see... the Stingray, Turtle, Octopus, Crab and Lobster but really the wonder of Desecheo is the visibility and the shear diversity of life... soft and hard coral, micro creatures, schools of tropicals and yes... the occasional encounter with a creature as big as you are. Desecheo is one of the must do dives in the Caribbean.

Diving at Crashboat

When people think of diving on the west coast they think about Desecheo Island off the coast of Puerto Rico. True, Desecheo is an outstanding destination, but is that all? If you are interested in a good, fun, and easy shore dive then consider Crashboat. Crashboat is located in Aguadilla about 20 minutes north of Rincon. You can rent gear, tanks and weights at either Taino Divers in Rincon or at PR Technical Dive Center in Aguadilla. The site consists of platforms, one of which is sunken. The bottom is sandy and gradually slopes down to the platforms at 30 feet on the seaward side. Now there are deeper spots at Crashboat but I recommend a guide for these. Occasionally the water is too rough for an easy entry and the visibility may fall considerably. But the site has a ton of soft coral encrusting the rusting pilings and metal wreckage and lots and lots of fish. The photograph above was taken from inside a giant fish ball... converted to black and white and toned.

The Changing Ocean

Yesterday, we blogged about the big swell that was in and it was...and yet, today as you may see from the above photograph, taken this afternoon around 3:30 p.m., the Caribbean side of Rincon's ocean was calm! When folks call us for reservations at the Lemontree, they often ask about the wave action in Rincon. If they are a surfer, then they want to hear that the waves will be perfect for surfing when they are here...and if they are a diver or snorkeler, they want to hear that the ocean will be wonderfully flat and calm! As you can see from one day to the next, the ocean changes. Yesterday the surfers were thrilled and this afternoon we had swimmers in the water here and a snorkler searching the reef! If you have the pleasure of coming to Rincon for several days, it is likely that you will have the fun of watching the changing ocean up close and personal! The ocean can change from day to day and actually, from morning to afternoon as well. Mother Nature is a powerful force and has a very independent mind of her own.

Long Shadows of Fall

"I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me and what can be the use of it is more than I can see...."

Today was bright and clear. The waters were calm and the breezes gentle. I told Ted I was going for a walk along the beach with my camera to see what I could find. What I found was my long shadow of fall.

When we lived in the City, the children always thrilled at their long shadows in the late fall. We would walk along the sidewalks and their shadows would precede them. "Look how tall we are," they would say with a thrill in their voices.

The pictures show my long shadow of fall. The one on the right is on the sand and the one on the left is taken while I'm standing in the water. You can see how clear the water is and calm.

Just a perfect day for a walk along the beach taking pictures and watching my shadow!

Steps Beach

This picture is of the "steps" at Steps Beach. The concrete steps gave their name to the surfing and snorkeling beach back in the 70's. When the swell is in as it currently is the surf at steps can be epoch and not suitable for newer surfers or those just interested in fun size waves.

Other times, this is the premiere snorkeling beach. The reef comes up to a couple of feet and it is an easy swim to the right from your entry point. The reef is home to huge Elkhorn coral, turtles and a wide range of reef fish. On several days when I was leading dive tours we encountered dolphins coming in close. On another day I had two new diving students and what should loom up was a huge Manatee. Not every day occurrences but the reef is rich. We rent snorkel gear here at the Lemontree or you can rent from a local dive shop.

Not a snorkeler or diver...this beach is great just for lying out in the sun and long walks along the shoreline. The palms come right down to the beach too so there is always shade to sit under and read a good book or take a nap.

You can check out a short video here from our friends at Villa Orleans.