Gannets Dive Bombing

One of the most amazing sights is Gannets dive bombing a school of bait fish.  This is a regular occurrence during the feeding frenzy of seabirds, sharks, dolphins and whales in the annual Sardine Run off the east coast of Africa. 

In an upcoming lecture on board the ms Amsterdam, I will be showing a short clip of the gannets courtesy of the kind folks at Earth Touch, based out of Durban, South Africa.  Check this out - amazing!!

Seychelles to South Africa

I'm currently researching lectures for an upcoming segment of Holland America's Grand World Cruise.  Jan and I will be joining the ms Amsterdam in the Seychelles on March 28, visiting Madagascar and several ports along the east coast of Africa, before disembarking in Cape Town on April 7.  These places abound with amazing creatures and wildlife -- a dream trip for naturalists!!



We're looking forward to seeing friends we've met on previous cruises.

Lecture Series - Madagascar to Africa

In the weeks ahead I will be posting about some exciting and interesting topics to be covered in my lecture series:

Unique Wildlife of Madagascar

From Lemurs to fascinating Geckos and Chameleons, Madagascar is home to some of the most unique creatures on the planet and some of the highest biodiversity, with about 150,000 species that exist nowhere else.

Madagascar: Escape from Africa! 

How can islands float…?  Madagascar continues to drift away from the African continent … where did it come from and where is it headed…? 

Mighty Ocean Currents and Feeding Frenzies

We’re sailing near one of the most powerful ocean currents in the world, the Agulhas Current.  Learn how these rich waters produce one of the greatest feeding frenzies on earth!

In the Realm of the Great White Shark

This coast is home to one of the greatest carnivores on the planet.  Discover some fascinating insights into the life of these top predators and the ecosystems they help create and maintain! 

Apex Predators of Africa

Discover the fascinating role of the largest carnivores in Africa… and their valuable ecological roles in “top-down” structuring of the ecosystem.  Without Lions… would their prey survive?

Caribbean Odyssey

Just returned from a Transatlantic crossing lecturing aboard the ms Rotterdam.  A great crossing without too much "motion of the ocean!"  We embarked in Rotterdam and disembarked in Barbados.  It was a pleasure to meet so many great folks!  Thank you for attending my lectures and for your support and enthusiasm.   We had the opportunity to meet many interesting creatures in the rainforests and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.

While in Southampton, we took the opportunity to drive through the New Forest and up to see the Salisbury Cathedral.

Salisbury Cathedral

Curious Donkey in the New Forest near Southampton

Caribbean Delights

If you are ever looking for a wild adventure -- look no further than a rental car on Tortola, British Virgin Islands.  Take North American cars with left hand drive and drive them on the British (some would say 'wrong' side of the road).  Add narrow, twisty roads - often without center lines -- and you have a recipe for excitement!!

We enjoyed some wonderful snorkeling in the waters of Bonaire and Aruba. Bonaire, in particular, is special because the entire reef system surrounding the island is protected within the Bonaire Marine Park .  The reefs are still in fairly good shape, given the threats to corals throughout the world, with ocean acidification, warming oceans, and rising sea levels.

Snorkeling in the Marine Park that encompasses Bonaire

The Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad proved to be a great place to experience some interesting rainforest birds.  I managed to photograph a few of these, including the Golden-headed Manakin (read more about this fascinating species).

Golden-headed Manikin

Green Honeycreeper, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

Purple Honeycreeper, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

Deep Sea Mystery Circle – a love story

Are aliens creating undersea "crop" circles??  Not aliens -- but a species of fish.

These amazing creations are designed to lure females to the centre of the circle (is that really a surprise to anyone!?)... "Females of what species?"  you may ask.

Here's the male in action:

That's the male puffer fish hard at work creating his artful "mandala."  These “mysterious circles” aren't designed to just make the ocean floor look pretty. Attracted by the grooves and ridges, female puffer fish would find their way along the dark seabed to the male puffer fish where they would mate and lay eggs in the center of the circle. In fact, the scientists observed that the more ridges the circle contained, the more likely it was that the female would mate with the male.
 Read more about this fascinating story and see more photos.

PS: this is the same puffer fish ... or fugu... that provides some diners with a slightly toxic experience -- tingly lips if they're lucky... a coma and even rigor mortis if they select the wrong restaurant!!