Welcome to the August Sea-gram,
 | | Waitin' on the Dock, Cozumel Mexico |
As the headline illustration above suggests, dolphins are extremely intelligent -- even more so than many people realize.
This short video provides a glimpse into a dolphin's ability to appreciate and interact with its surroundings:
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Girl Makes Dolphin Laugh |
In this month's Conservation Corner we'll take a brief look at these amazing aquatic beings and the threats they face, from both humans and Nature.
In Story Behind The Photo(s), Dive, Dive!, learn what it feels like to be next to a giant humpback whale plunging into the deep.
If you have a photo with an interesting story, or would like to share a good dive yarn, let me know at paul@paulmila.com and I'll be happy to include your story in a future issue.
If you know someone who would enjoy reading Sea-gram, perhaps a friend in need of an overdue "dive fix", please forward Sea-gram to your buddy, using the link at the end of the newsletter.
To view past Sea-grams click our ARCHIVE link below:
I hope you enjoy Sea-gram !
Sincerely,
Paul J. Mila
MilaBooks.com
516-578-1482 |
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The Story Behind The Photos . . .
Dive, Dive!
By Paul Mila | |
We were free-diving with giant humpback whales in Tonga, South Pacific, aboard the NAI'A (which translates into Dolphin in Fijian.
These whales were bus-size adults, 40 to 50 feet long, weighting abut one-ton per foot.
One whale surprised me as it surfaced and cruised along right next to me. I looked into its eye -- the eye of a whale! That was a life altering moment!
I could hear it breathing as it recharged its car-sized lungs. I swam along side, trying to keep up as best I could. Suddenly the whale arched its back and dived.
I took a breath, ducked below the waves and descended as far as I could, not even twenty feet.
NAI'A owner Rob Barrell took this shot of me getting ready to photograph the whale.
I took this photo as the humpback spread it's long pectoral fins and made a straight vertical dive, descending out of sight more than 100 feet below me. WOW; that's a view you don't see from the deck of a whale watching boat!
 | | Dive, Dive ! |
PHOTO TIPS
When photographing large marine mammals use a wide angle lens to capture your entire subject.
When your subject is more than four-to-six feet away set your camera to use ambient light, non-flash mode.
EQUIPMENT:
SeaLife camera with wide-angle lens. |
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Conservation Corner . . .
Dolphins -- the more we learn the more they fascinate us. | |
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The Dolphin Dance Project; Michelle Hall Photo.
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This photo shows free divers "dancing" with wild Atlantic spinner dolphins in an underwater ballet.
Their goal is to raise awareness and respect for dolphins and their environment.
Click the video link to watch the dolphin dancers and learn more:
Sea-gram fan Petya Mattys sent us this interesting story about dolphins' long memories:
Scientists have discovered that dolphins identity each other with distinct call signs, essentially their personal name. This was though to be a uniquely human attribute:
The health of marine life, especially marine mammals, is a good barometer for the health of the oceans. When a species experiences a significant die-off, it's a warning sign that there is an environmental problem, usually man-made.
This dramatic series of still photos is a good example of wild nature -- and a graphic reminder that orcas are not meant to be confined in large fish tanks.
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| About MilaBooks.com |
www.milabooks.com
is your home for exciting dive adventure novels, and YouTube videos featuring ocean creatures.
Latest blog review for Near Miss:
Elizabeth McKenna, author and reviewer,
recently posted this review:
 | | Click the reading dolphin and swim into our website |
Thanks for visiting, and we'll see you next month!
MilaBooks.com
75 Titus Avenue
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-578-1482
To forward Sea-gram to a friend, please click the "Forward email" link below. |
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Conservation Corner
Featured Article:
Dolphins and Their Fascinating World
Story lower left column. | |
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| Quick Links | |
Updates & Miscellaneous Features
Near Miss Booksigning
in North Carolina
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Paul meets the Greylyn Book Club Members |
In July I had the pleasure to visit the Greylyn Book Club and Union County Library Book Club in the Charlotte area.
The members had read my latest adventure novel, Near Miss, and we enjoyed a spirited discussion about the book.
Click on the book cover
for the Amazon link
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They're Never Too Young
To Learn!
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My Grand Daughter Ava, Reading
Tammy Turtle |
During my recent North Carolina visit, my editor Lorraine Fico-White of
gave me several ocean-themed conservation books for my grand children, written by author Suzanne Tate and beautifully illustrated by James Melvin.
As the cover jacket says, "Suzanne and James give our children the gift of understanding and respect for their environment."
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Whale News
Whales Almost Swallow Divers
Divers were swimming through a bait-ball of tiny fish -- not a good idea when humpback whales are in the area.
Watch what happens . . .
Divers Are Almost Whale Food
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Sea Shepherd
Update
Sea Shepherd E-vite:
"Spend A Day On theOcean With Us, For the Ocean."
On September 15th, Sea-Shepherd is sponsoring a Day On The Ocean, in Cape May, New Jersey.
Click the link for details:
Whale & Dolphin Watching
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Think Keeping Whales in Captivity is a Good Idea?
Check out this story about the new documentary, Blackfish:
Sea World's Captive Whales
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Help Save Whales From Deadly Entanglements
Sea-gram reader Tish Dace sent in this story about how you can help prevent whales from dying in fishing nets:
Help Save Whales!
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www.cozumelisparadise.com
A fun dive site, where you can rent a beachfront condo, view great dive photos, and more!
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GUEST LINKS
New Scuba Site Just Launched
SCUBAVERSE, a great new diving website was just launched.
Check it out:
Where Do You Want to Dive?
Check out this new website, for the online dive community:
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Great Cozumel
Information Resource
Whether you want to advertise a service, or just find out what's going down on the island, check out Laura Wilkinson's fabulous local newsletter:
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Available Links!
Post a link to your web site here!
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