MilaBooks.com Newsletter
The Sea-gram
February, 2014
For ocean lovers, divers, and
"deep-thinkers." |
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Paul Swimming With A Hawksbill, Dalila Reef, Cozumel Mexico. Photo by Alison Dennis |
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Greetings to our Sea-gram readers. Hope you enjoy the February issue, from MilaBooks.com
 | | Dive Buddies Fulvio & Paul, in Cozumel |
Just returned from a week of world class diving in Cozumel, featuring close encounters with turtles, rays, moray eels, lionfish, sharks, and sea horses, just to name a few creatures.
One exciting encounter happened when this nurse shark cruised by:
 | | Cruising Nurse Shark |
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This issue's Featured Creature is the Hawksbill Turtle.
Scroll down for the story, but first spend a minute watching this fascinating creature as it descends into the deep on Palancar Reef, probably searching for a juicy sponge lunch:
 | | Swimming with a hawksbill |
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This month's Conservation Corner
features an amazing story: How shark attack survivors are trying to help save sharks.
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If you have a photo with an interesting story, or would like to share a good dive yarn, contact me 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,
516-578-1482 |
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Conservation Corner . . .
Shark Attack Survivors Unite --
to Help Save Sharks |
 | | Paul Mila photo, Nassau Bahamas |
As worldwide shark populations continue to decline, the PEW Charitable Trust environmental organization reports that sharks have gained some unlikely allies: shark attack survivors.
Read this amazing story, and watch survivor videos below :
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Featured Creature . . .
The Hawksbill Turtle
By Paul Mila, Carle Place, NY |
On my recent trip to Cozumel Mexico we encountered hawksbill turtles on almost every dive. Below, dive buddy Fulvio cruises past me with a turtle.
Fulvio, cruising with a Hawksbill �
Hawksbills are identifiable by their hawk-like beak and colorful carapace, or shell, which has saw-tooth pattern along the edge. Another unique feature is that their front flippers sport two small claws. The average adult is about three to four feet in length and weighs 180-200 lbs.
Like most sea turtles, hawksbill are classified as critically endangered due to human predation. Thousands are killed annually, either as accidental by-catch, or intentionally for their meat and beautiful shell, which is made into tortoise-shell jewelry.
In addition, humans take their eggs for food, and on-shore breeding locations are being reduced due to beach front development.
Their diet consists primarily of sponges and jellyfish.
The hawksbill's calm demeanor and trusting nature makes it a great photo subject for divers:
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Hawksbill Turtle photo,� Paul Mila |
Equipment:
SeaLife 1400 Camera, Digital Strobe & Wide-angle lens.
Photo Tips:
For eye-popping color, use an external strobe.
Stay low, where the turtles hang out, to avoid shootng downward.
The wide-angle lens enables you to shoot close for great detail while capturing the entire subject in your frame.
Hawksbill Turtle photo,� Paul Mila
You need to get close for great head-on shots like the one above, so approach low and slow to avoid spooking the turtle. |
| About MilaBooks.com |
www.milabooks.com
Your home for exciting dive adventure novels, and YouTube videos featuring ocean creatures.
FREE GIVEAWAY!
Extending through the end of February, GoodReads is sponsoring a free giveaway contest for Fireworks.
In this adventure, terrorists are planning an explosive Fourth of July for New York City. But a team of scuba divers, aided by a very unique dolphin, have other plans.
Just click on the book's cover to enter my website and join GoodRead's free contest.
 | | 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:
Shark Attact Victims Unite -- to Save Sharks
Story lower left column. | |
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Quick Links | |
Updates & Miscellaneous Features
Grandson Maxwell shows fine literary taste, devouring Grandpa's latest Caribbean thriller,
Near Miss
Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Award Contest judges agree with Max.
"This book has a great plot that moves . . . what I would expect in a thriller. The book swept me up and carried me right along . . ."
Judge, Writer's Digest 21st Annual Self-Published Book Awards
"Author does a good job of opening with a jolt . . . Well done. Fascinating to learn details of scuba . . . Reader is on a global trip in this adventure . . . Ending is very satisfying; nice wrap-up, no loose ends." Judge, Writer's Digest Self-Published e-Book Awards
To order Near Miss from Amazon, click on Max's photo.
The Sharks of Rhode Island
Diver Adam Cohen shows that North-east divers can have fun with sharks too.
He writes, "The first two sharks showed up within fifteen minutes. It was another beautiful day..."
Check out Adam's video:
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Rhode Island Blue Sharks |
________________________________ Leapin' Mantas! Long Island diver John Hand was in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, when he caught these two mantas breaking the surface: ___________________________________
Interested in diving Asia, Pacific, or Africa? Contact the experts at Scuba Dive Asia:
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Time and Tide Wait for No Man
(Geoffrey Chaucer)
Sea-gram reader Tony D'Allesandro sent in this amazing link. Click on the link and then the photos to see amazing tidal changes around the world:
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Dumb & Dumber
Sea-gram fan Tom Helmke sent in this story about government approved dumping in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
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Stop The Dolphin Trade !
Last month we reported on the dolphin slaughter & capture in Japan's infamous Taiji Cove.
Chisa Hidaka of the Dolphin Dance Project sent us this petition from Sakae Hemmi, of the Elsa Nature Conservancy.
Their goal is to halt the live dolphin trade, which is now more profitable than slaughtering dolphins for their meat.
You can help by signing the petition:
A fun dive site, where you can rent a beachfront condo, view great dive photos, and more!
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GUEST LINKS
For a unique Cozumel experience check out:
fulviocozumelrentals.com
Fulvio provides boutique rental accommodations and rental management services.
For Cozumel concierge and rental management, Kelly & Ivan will take care of you:
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Great Cozumel
Information Resources
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:
Looking for property in Paradise?
Check out the Residencias Reef Condos.
Contact Jaime Ramirez:
Kathy Heinz, One of our Residencias Reef condo owners, salutes the sunset with one of her Caribbean concoctions on our west-facing beach.
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Check out the Cozumel Living newsletter:
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Available Links!
Post a link to your web site in Sea-gram
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Join Our Mailing List
If a friend forwarded Sea-gram to you and you'd like to receive future issues, let us know. Click the JOIN link above, or e-mail me at paul@paulmila.com
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