Manta in Guam's Tumon Preserve - source.
Bravo Timbo!
Not too shabby for an old fart!
Incidentally, this is what Manny Duenas and WESPAC want do destroy.
Have you signed the petition?
Anyway, enjoy!
And, there is a book, too!
Showing posts with label Tim Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tim Rock. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Artists United for Sharks!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Shark Reef for 4 Bucks?
Yes that would be Scarface - and behold the boat in the background!Just got this message from Timbo.
Look at your Fiji books.
Now people can buy either as an e-book for under $4 - note the option for iPad - iPhone version.
Is that cool, or what!
You can read more about he luxurious coffee table book here, and here is the post about the monograph on Shark Reef - and may I add that I'm posting this right in time for Christmas, hint hint!
And since we're at it.
Timbo has spent the last two years documenting the marine parks of his home island Guam and the result is now finally for sale on Amazon or once again as an e-book and app. Yes I know everybody makes this claim - but I know for a fact that compiling Hidden Treasures, Guam's Amazing Marine Preserves has truly been Timbo's proverbial labor of love requiring countless dives squeezed in amid the ever busy schedule of a globe trotting underwater photographer.
And there's even a Sharky aspect!
Guam as you (should) know is a Shark Sanctuary, and this very much also thanks to Timbo who has quietly assisted his long term friend Stef and Pew in making this happen. Timbo now tells me that Tumon has a Blacktip Reef Shark nursery and Sasa, one for (Scalloped?) Hammerheads, the latter very much in line with Fiji's major estuaries, and thus the future for Guam's Sharks looks rather bright!
Intrigued?
Here is the preview and you can purchase the e-book and app right here.
Enjoy!
Look at your Fiji books.
Now people can buy either as an e-book for under $4 - note the option for iPad - iPhone version.
Is that cool, or what!
You can read more about he luxurious coffee table book here, and here is the post about the monograph on Shark Reef - and may I add that I'm posting this right in time for Christmas, hint hint!
And since we're at it.
Timbo has spent the last two years documenting the marine parks of his home island Guam and the result is now finally for sale on Amazon or once again as an e-book and app. Yes I know everybody makes this claim - but I know for a fact that compiling Hidden Treasures, Guam's Amazing Marine Preserves has truly been Timbo's proverbial labor of love requiring countless dives squeezed in amid the ever busy schedule of a globe trotting underwater photographer.
And there's even a Sharky aspect!
Guam as you (should) know is a Shark Sanctuary, and this very much also thanks to Timbo who has quietly assisted his long term friend Stef and Pew in making this happen. Timbo now tells me that Tumon has a Blacktip Reef Shark nursery and Sasa, one for (Scalloped?) Hammerheads, the latter very much in line with Fiji's major estuaries, and thus the future for Guam's Sharks looks rather bright!
Intrigued?
Here is the preview and you can purchase the e-book and app right here.
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Granma - ageing gracefully!
Timbo is in town for a quick stop-over on the way to Tonga.
He has just sent me a selection of today's crop, among which this lovely portrait of our unequaled Granma.
She is without a doubt my favorite Bull Shark.
She is absolutely huge, probably very old and carries a whole array of battle scars that make her look quite intimidating to anybody meeting her for the first time.
In fact, she's the sweetest Shark around.
Different Sharks have a bond to different feeders, and this is clearly one of Rusi's special friends.
Granma in 2005, enormous and assertive - EPIC pic by MPO!
She and I have first met in 2003, after which she has remained an infrequent but regular visitor and during those years, I've witnessed several pregnancies and the gradual aging process taking its toll on her vitality, to the point where nowadays, she has become quite slow and circumspect - but she remains very very friendly and really, quite endearing!
Over the years, she has gradually developed a growth around her right eye that has progressively restricted her vision. We believe that today, that eye is completely blind, and she is thus the only Bull that is allowed to approach the feeder from the right.
2011- probably blind. Please click for detail
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about our Grand Old Lady.
May she be with us for many more years to come!
She is without a doubt my favorite Bull Shark.
She is absolutely huge, probably very old and carries a whole array of battle scars that make her look quite intimidating to anybody meeting her for the first time.
In fact, she's the sweetest Shark around.
Different Sharks have a bond to different feeders, and this is clearly one of Rusi's special friends.
Granma in 2005, enormous and assertive - EPIC pic by MPO!She and I have first met in 2003, after which she has remained an infrequent but regular visitor and during those years, I've witnessed several pregnancies and the gradual aging process taking its toll on her vitality, to the point where nowadays, she has become quite slow and circumspect - but she remains very very friendly and really, quite endearing!
Over the years, she has gradually developed a growth around her right eye that has progressively restricted her vision. We believe that today, that eye is completely blind, and she is thus the only Bull that is allowed to approach the feeder from the right.
2011- probably blind. Please click for detailAnyway, I just wanted to tell you about our Grand Old Lady.
May she be with us for many more years to come!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Guam: it's Unanimous!
Stellar pic by Timbo!From Timbo's Guam & Micronesia Dive Travel blog.
After a lot of emotional testimony from fishermen, school students, shark lovers and an amazing show of support from an international community of ocean loving concerned citizens from well over 100 countries, Guam’s legislators passed Bill 44-31 (scroll down) unanimously today.
The bill is intended to curb the trade of shark fins in the US Territory of Guam.
The bill was sponsored by Senator B.J. Cruz and co-sponsored by Senator Rory Respecio.
But more importantly, Guam becomes the third place in the world to officially ban possession and trade of the fins and also ray parts. A similar bill passed in January in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
With Palau declaring its waters a shark sanctuary in 2009, Yap having its water a manta ray sanctuary since 2008, Guam and the Nothern Mariana Islands banning fin trade, this creates a huge corridor in the western Pacific stretching 1300+ miles from north to south from Helen Reef in far southern Palau to Farralon de Medina in the northern CNMI and across four countries that now prosecute those involved in the non-sustainable shark fin trade. Hawaii in the east central Pacific, a US state, has the first such law on its books passed last year.
Thus, this is a real regional victory for the western Pacific nations and their marine resources.
Indeed!
Many, many people have contributed to this success but bear with me if I single out Stefanie who once again has invested all her time and energy and spent countless hours in difficult negotiations to ensure the best possible result for the Sharks. And lemme tell 'ya, looks are deceiving: never underestimate the ferocity and sheer determination of a Bavarian pit bull! :)
Girl, you rock!
Full story here, good recap here.
.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tim Rock - excellent Shark Media!
Yes I'm obviously biased!
Timbo is a good friend and a good friend of BAD.
He is also a great guy, one of the world's foremost photojournalists and a staunch conservationist, and it has been an honor, and a pleasure hosting him during his forays to Fiji. The result has been a great coffee table book and a smaller book focusing on Shark Reef and our efforts to preserve Sharks, along with a whole series of articles in the adventure travel and diving media.
Now, Tim's travels to Fiji are the topic of this feature in PDN.
True to his calling, Timbo once again manages to weave in excellent pro Shark messaging - along with promo for Fiji, Continental Airlines, the books, SRMR and, yes, us! Talk about being a consummate professional!
As always Timbo: Kudos and Vinaka!
Timbo is a good friend and a good friend of BAD.
He is also a great guy, one of the world's foremost photojournalists and a staunch conservationist, and it has been an honor, and a pleasure hosting him during his forays to Fiji. The result has been a great coffee table book and a smaller book focusing on Shark Reef and our efforts to preserve Sharks, along with a whole series of articles in the adventure travel and diving media.
Now, Tim's travels to Fiji are the topic of this feature in PDN.
True to his calling, Timbo once again manages to weave in excellent pro Shark messaging - along with promo for Fiji, Continental Airlines, the books, SRMR and, yes, us! Talk about being a consummate professional!
As always Timbo: Kudos and Vinaka!
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Fiji's Shark Reef!
Did you deem the coffee table book to be just a tad too big and too pricey?
Look no further than Timbo's Fiji's Shark Reef!
This condensed and smaller format book of our coffee table version "Fiji's Beqa Lagoon" celebrates the unique ocean region of Fiji's southern coastal reefs and sea mounts off the island of Viti Levu. This vast region is part of the southern and central Beqa Lagoon.
Big sharks, scenics, overlooks, reefs, caves, aerials, culture, dance and much, much more can be found in this special region of the lush island.
Every year people flock to Fiji and many of them are divers.
Known for its soft corals and stunning reef life, the Pacific Harbour area and Beqa Lagoon's Shark Reef Marine Reserve are gaining great fame. This is the one of the few places on Earth that you can dive with eight different species of shark on one dive and see them in their environment.
It's an amazing sight to watch the grace and power of the big, deep water sharks and the swift and silky movements of the upper reef sharks.
This is due in a huge part to the efforts of Beqa Adventure Divers who have established the Shark Reef Marine Reserve.
This special reserve would not have been possible without the involvement of the Fiji Department of Fisheries and the traditional owners of the reef, the villages of Wainiyabia and Galoa. It is to them divers can extend a special thanks. Both villages have agreed to relinquish their respective fishing rights to Shark Reef and in exchange, every diver who participates on The Shark Dive pays a 'Shark Reef Marine Reserve Levy'. This money is collected by Beqa Adventure Divers and deposited monthly into each village's community bank account.
Quite honestly, I like this smaller book even better.
Condensed down to the essentials, it is eminently readable and visually compelling - and yes, great value too! Plus, it talks about us!
Once again, great job Timbo, Vinaka Vakalevu!
Preview here (use the "full screen" option).
Enjoy!
Look no further than Timbo's Fiji's Shark Reef!
This condensed and smaller format book of our coffee table version "Fiji's Beqa Lagoon" celebrates the unique ocean region of Fiji's southern coastal reefs and sea mounts off the island of Viti Levu. This vast region is part of the southern and central Beqa Lagoon.
Big sharks, scenics, overlooks, reefs, caves, aerials, culture, dance and much, much more can be found in this special region of the lush island.
Every year people flock to Fiji and many of them are divers.
Known for its soft corals and stunning reef life, the Pacific Harbour area and Beqa Lagoon's Shark Reef Marine Reserve are gaining great fame. This is the one of the few places on Earth that you can dive with eight different species of shark on one dive and see them in their environment.
It's an amazing sight to watch the grace and power of the big, deep water sharks and the swift and silky movements of the upper reef sharks.
This is due in a huge part to the efforts of Beqa Adventure Divers who have established the Shark Reef Marine Reserve.
This special reserve would not have been possible without the involvement of the Fiji Department of Fisheries and the traditional owners of the reef, the villages of Wainiyabia and Galoa. It is to them divers can extend a special thanks. Both villages have agreed to relinquish their respective fishing rights to Shark Reef and in exchange, every diver who participates on The Shark Dive pays a 'Shark Reef Marine Reserve Levy'. This money is collected by Beqa Adventure Divers and deposited monthly into each village's community bank account.
Quite honestly, I like this smaller book even better.
Condensed down to the essentials, it is eminently readable and visually compelling - and yes, great value too! Plus, it talks about us!
Once again, great job Timbo, Vinaka Vakalevu!
Preview here (use the "full screen" option).
Enjoy!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Beqa Lagoon - The Book!
Behold the Book!!!
Welcome to God's Country! Fiji.
This beautiful full size hard cover book offers 200 pages and 316 photos above and below the sea in Beqa Lagoon and south Fiji. The photography is by internationally published photojournalist TIM ROCK.
This book is a visual trip to the south of Viti Levu, its people and its undersea attractions in the famed Beqa Lagoon. See the land, the coral reefs and marine creatures, the wonderful people and Fijian culture, aerials and overlooks and, most of all, the amazing sharks.
Enjoy!!
This beautiful full size hard cover book offers 200 pages and 316 photos above and below the sea in Beqa Lagoon and south Fiji. The photography is by internationally published photojournalist TIM ROCK.
This book is a visual trip to the south of Viti Levu, its people and its undersea attractions in the famed Beqa Lagoon. See the land, the coral reefs and marine creatures, the wonderful people and Fijian culture, aerials and overlooks and, most of all, the amazing sharks.
Enjoy!!
I can't even begin to tell you how proud we are!
Timbo and I started hatching the plan last September and his latest visit was entirely dedicated to developing a "feel" for the Country and to capturing all the required images - which being the consummate professional he is, he did absolutely brilliantly! As well as the writing and the editing!
Absolutely stellar - and yes, I am very very biased!
But judge for yourself.
You can preview it here and I strongly recommend that you use the "full screen" feature.
BAD aficionados will discover many old friends, both above and below the surface - and newbies will get an excellent impression of what's awaiting them should they decide to visit our shores.
All are in for a feast for the eyes.
So what are you waiting for - go and get your copy!!!
(Yeah I know that's pretty pathetic marketing... but still!)
Thank you Timbo - we owe you big time!
Monday, February 08, 2010
Portfolio!
This is a Flagtail Shrimpgoby, Amblyeleotris yanoi.
Not impressed?
What if I told you that a) it's a great picture and b) it was taken on Shark Reef?
Wanna bother to consult the distribution chart of this species, as in Australia • Indonesia • Indonesia:Bali • Japan • Madagascar • Micronesia • Mozambique • Palau • Papua New Guinea • Philippines • Ryukyu Is. • South Africa • Sri Lanka • Taiwan?
Far far away from Fiji!
This is but one of the massive range extensions resulting from our regular Fish counts and I can announce with absolute certainty that this year's crop will undoubtedly be particularly spectacular! John and Mr. Punion are due here in less than two weeks, and they will be joined by Somebody who is known for having a veritable midas touch when it comes to discovering new species! Hint: Tourette's!
So, keep watching this space!
But this post is not about Fish Taxonomy.
It's actually about Timbo's latest portfolio featuring but a tiny selection of the pics he took during his latest visit with us. We just chatted and he's a real happy camper, tho he complains about coming down with carpal tunnel syndrome from having to edit those tens of thousands of images!
Go and check it out: it's a feast for the eyes - and don't forget to click on the images!
Talk about it being a testament to the man's dedication and to his talent!
And to Fiji!
Enjoy!
Not impressed?
What if I told you that a) it's a great picture and b) it was taken on Shark Reef?
Wanna bother to consult the distribution chart of this species, as in Australia • Indonesia • Indonesia:Bali • Japan • Madagascar • Micronesia • Mozambique • Palau • Papua New Guinea • Philippines • Ryukyu Is. • South Africa • Sri Lanka • Taiwan?
Far far away from Fiji!
This is but one of the massive range extensions resulting from our regular Fish counts and I can announce with absolute certainty that this year's crop will undoubtedly be particularly spectacular! John and Mr. Punion are due here in less than two weeks, and they will be joined by Somebody who is known for having a veritable midas touch when it comes to discovering new species! Hint: Tourette's!
So, keep watching this space!
But this post is not about Fish Taxonomy.
It's actually about Timbo's latest portfolio featuring but a tiny selection of the pics he took during his latest visit with us. We just chatted and he's a real happy camper, tho he complains about coming down with carpal tunnel syndrome from having to edit those tens of thousands of images!
Go and check it out: it's a feast for the eyes - and don't forget to click on the images!
Talk about it being a testament to the man's dedication and to his talent!
And to Fiji!
Enjoy!
Thursday, February 04, 2010
The Boat
Nomen est Omen: Timbo rocks!
Bless the good people over at Gates!
As a proud owner of a venerable Hugyfot-F3 that never let me down in over 20 years of reckless abuse, and this on its first set of o-rings (!), my standards are high.
Once I decided to switch over to video -aka the dark side- and having seen more Amphibicos and L&Ms fail than I care to remember, my choice of a Gates was kind of inevitable.
Like Hugy, Elwyn Gates is one of the true pioneers of underwater imaging and his housings had a reputation for being extremely durable and reliable, the latter largely owing to the fact that they were fully mechanical and thus didn't feature any of the vulnerable electronic circuitry of their competitors.
Scarface, yours truly and the Gates PDX-10 in this epic picture by Doug Perrine.
Enter the new owner and CEO John Ellerbrock.
Although I was quite impressed by my "old" Gates for the PDX-10, I am now absolutely in awe of my housing for the EX1, quickly christened The Boat by one of our clients. This is just exquisite craftsmanship and a testimony to John's inventiveness and commitment to unsurpassed quality and reliability. Perfectly balanced and with crisp and yet sensitive controls, it's a real pleasure to work with. Add the terrific SWP44C by Fathom Imaging and Gates' legendary client service personified by always helpful, patient and friendly Pamela, and the result is absolute perfection!
Well done and thank you so much!
As a proud owner of a venerable Hugyfot-F3 that never let me down in over 20 years of reckless abuse, and this on its first set of o-rings (!), my standards are high.
Once I decided to switch over to video -aka the dark side- and having seen more Amphibicos and L&Ms fail than I care to remember, my choice of a Gates was kind of inevitable.
Like Hugy, Elwyn Gates is one of the true pioneers of underwater imaging and his housings had a reputation for being extremely durable and reliable, the latter largely owing to the fact that they were fully mechanical and thus didn't feature any of the vulnerable electronic circuitry of their competitors.
Scarface, yours truly and the Gates PDX-10 in this epic picture by Doug Perrine.Enter the new owner and CEO John Ellerbrock.
Although I was quite impressed by my "old" Gates for the PDX-10, I am now absolutely in awe of my housing for the EX1, quickly christened The Boat by one of our clients. This is just exquisite craftsmanship and a testimony to John's inventiveness and commitment to unsurpassed quality and reliability. Perfectly balanced and with crisp and yet sensitive controls, it's a real pleasure to work with. Add the terrific SWP44C by Fathom Imaging and Gates' legendary client service personified by always helpful, patient and friendly Pamela, and the result is absolute perfection!
Well done and thank you so much!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The VIP
Timbo all dressed up in Fijian regalia on his 60th birthday celebration.Timbo was born 60 years ago in Minnesota - and the rest is legend.
He's currently in Fiji working on a new project of ours (keep watching this space - this is really cool!) and for days before his birthday, I had been teasing him about Scarface, our BADdest Tiger Shark lady.
Thing is, she has an uncanny knack for always turning up for our most important guests and I kept threatening that we would soon discover whether he was the real deal or just one of those countless posers.
We're in the middle of our sharkiest season and the Bull Shark action is simply breathtaking - but at the same time, this is the time of the year where historically, chances for Tiger sightings have been lowest, as they are widely believed to be moving to the river mouths in order to profit from the frequent floods during the wet season. This being an El Niño year, rainfall has however been dismal so chances were not completely nil.
And guess what: against all odds, Timbo is now confirmed Shark Reef royalty!
She only turned up for a brief visit during the second dive, took a single tuna head and got the hell outta there - but what a sight and what a spectacular confirmation of Timbo's status!
This is a lo-res quick edit of one of Timbo's pics of Scarface.As to why she's so uncharacteristically shy, opinions vary.
It may be the assertive presence of dozens of hungry Bull Sharks - but I fear that this may well be the direct result of the shenanigans by other people who continue to try and grab, ride and poke her, be it out of misguided love, bravado or outright fear.
A great shame - and at least to us, a clear confirmation of our policy that prohibits any such contacts, well meaning as they may be.
But I'm digressing as usual.
Happy birthday Timbo my friend!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Timbo!
This is the best image, ever, of one of our Giant Groupers, Ratu Tolu. Copyright Tim Rock 2009.Timbo who?
This guy - yes u gotta check him out by yerself!
Timbo and I go back to the epic 2002 Voyage of Discovery where we spent several weeks aboard the Pelagian prowling the remote atolls of Micronesia. And despite the saying that boats are like prisons, with the added risk of drowning, we did not have a single fight but became pals instead!
And lemme tell you: others were not so lucky! And I'll leave it at that!
We've been in touch ever since and even managed to hook up sporadically at DEMA and once, in Tonga - but despite of my constant prodding, he had never quite made it over to Fiji. And I don't blame the man. To the uninitiated, my Fijian tales sound quite too good to be true - and haven't we all eagerly packed our bags and traveled to the most secret and guaranteed diving hot-spots, only to inevitably get terminally skunked upon arrival!
Well, he has finally managed to pay us a visit.
He did -cautiously- add one week of Sharks to swimming with the Humpbacks in Vava'u and I guess it would be fair to say that we managed to impress him. And his charming model Yoko!
The Bulls were kinda skittish as this is the prologue to their mating season where they don't feed - but when they did turn up, they were big and close! Let's say that I do know for a fact that they did get his attention!
Tim is what I call a real underwater photographer, somebody who does it for a living.
His preliminary portfolio is a testimony to his diligence and to the fact that he's a master of his craft - above and underwater. We've been hatching some plans and you shall be hearing much more as they evolve.
As always, keep watching this space!
And lemme tell you: others were not so lucky! And I'll leave it at that!
We've been in touch ever since and even managed to hook up sporadically at DEMA and once, in Tonga - but despite of my constant prodding, he had never quite made it over to Fiji. And I don't blame the man. To the uninitiated, my Fijian tales sound quite too good to be true - and haven't we all eagerly packed our bags and traveled to the most secret and guaranteed diving hot-spots, only to inevitably get terminally skunked upon arrival!
Well, he has finally managed to pay us a visit.
He did -cautiously- add one week of Sharks to swimming with the Humpbacks in Vava'u and I guess it would be fair to say that we managed to impress him. And his charming model Yoko!
The Bulls were kinda skittish as this is the prologue to their mating season where they don't feed - but when they did turn up, they were big and close! Let's say that I do know for a fact that they did get his attention!
Tim is what I call a real underwater photographer, somebody who does it for a living.
His preliminary portfolio is a testimony to his diligence and to the fact that he's a master of his craft - above and underwater. We've been hatching some plans and you shall be hearing much more as they evolve.
As always, keep watching this space!
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