michali Posted March 8, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) M8 & M8.2 & 12mm Voigtlander UW Heliar & 75mm Summicron I spent the past couple of days doing some helicopter flying for the Whale Shark Research group. Every few months my partner and I make ourselves available and donate some flying hours to them, to assist with their census off the NE coast of South Africa. This is probably one of the most spectacular areas on this planet. The coastline is unspoilt, and totally undeveloped, it stretches for hundreds of kilometers, with the world's southernmost coral reefs and highest forested dunes on the one side, and the St Lucia Lake World Heritage Site on the other side of the dunes. The sea is full of whale sharks, dolphins, Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles, not to mention an amazing variety of sharks, rays and and whales. The lake on the other side of the dunes is home to crocodiles, hippo, buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard and countless antelope species. When I finished flying I let my partner do some flying only because I wanted to seize the opportunity for photography. My wife and I armed ourselves with our M8's and jumped into the back of the helicopter. The whale shark in last picture is one of over 20 we saw in one morning and we estimate that it was over 10 meters (33 feet) in length. Thanks for viewing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 8, 2009 Posted March 8, 2009 Hi michali, Take a look here Whale shark research 5 pic series. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted March 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 8, 2009 Great for a reportage ! And the 4th has a stunning beauty Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin T-M Posted March 8, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 8, 2009 Mike, what a beautiful day you've had there! The last picture is wonderful! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted March 8, 2009 Share #4 Posted March 8, 2009 Mike - Superb series. Now we need to get you in the water with these gentle giants, but I would recommend going north a bit, where the great white sharks seldom wander. Try off the coast of NW Australia, or during the spring full moons at Gladden Spit, Belize. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted March 8, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 8, 2009 Mike, Spectacular effect and pictures Really nice blue color of the ocean Thanks for sharing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted March 9, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 9, 2009 MIKE, Simply superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted March 9, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Mike, You do some really interesting work. Excellent series, particularly love #2. Thanks for sharing. Andreas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted March 9, 2009 Luigi, Martin, Henri, Ivan and Andreas- many thanks for your kind comments, much appreciated. Mike - Superb series. Now we need to get you in the water with these gentle giants, but I would recommend going north a bit, where the great white sharks seldom wander. Try off the coast of NW Australia, or during the spring full moons at Gladden Spit, Belize. Stuart- Thank you. The one place I've managed to dive with Whale Sharks was in the Seychelles, awesome experience. You're right we've got many Zambezi, Tiger and Great White Sharks off the NE coast of SA. Having said that I've so far never had any problems diving here (yet), they're not really habituated to humans here as it's very remote and unaccessible. IMO (I may be shot down in flames for this), many of the shark attacks happen where people are becoming complacent and doing cage diving, chumming etc. It's the same with wild animals, it's when we break that barrier that we encounter problems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEd Posted March 9, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2009 Truly amazing colors, I'm impressed! Thanks for shaing. Ed. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted March 11, 2009 Ed- Thanks very much, I appreciate your comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdb Posted March 11, 2009 Share #11 Posted March 11, 2009 Enjoyable series Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted March 11, 2009 Share #12 Posted March 11, 2009 Nothing quite like shooting from a helicopter. You made the best of a gorgeous day. I have to comment on the courage shown by the woman in the third photo. Holding a strapless M8 one-handed next to the open door of a helicpoter in flight is an act of pure bravery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paga Posted March 11, 2009 Share #13 Posted March 11, 2009 WOW... this could be used as an Ad for the M8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted March 11, 2009 Share #14 Posted March 11, 2009 Mike, these are all spectacular. Great ride. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted March 11, 2009 Share #15 Posted March 11, 2009 I can only echo the comments so far: awesome pictures, thanks for sharing them. LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted March 15, 2009 Virgil, Brent, Paga, Ben & Louis- thank you for taking the time and for your comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicanut2 Posted March 20, 2009 Share #17 Posted March 20, 2009 I have to say WOW too. 12mm really great pictures. So how was the chopper ride? Cheers Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted March 20, 2009 Jan- Thank you very much. I really love this little 12mm lens, amazing results. I've been flying up and down this coastline since 1991 and every time I do it feels like the first time, I can never get enough of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allamande Posted March 20, 2009 Share #19 Posted March 20, 2009 Mike -These are spectacular. How lucky for you to experience this scene first hand, and how lucky for us to experience it through your lens! Thank you. Ece Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
George James Posted March 20, 2009 Share #20 Posted March 20, 2009 Mike, "WOW" What worries me, is that your wife is holding the M8 without a strap, and so close to the open door. Best wishes George Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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