"Deep Shale", Monterey Bay, California February 17, 2007:
Often, when I show a picture to a non-diving friend, the first question they ask is "How deep were you when you took that?". The implication, of course, being that the deeper the depth, the better the photograph must be. This, then, is the very best photograph on the site. This simnia, Delonovolva aequalis, lives on red gorgonians(Lophogorgia chilensis). If you'd like to see one in the Monterey area, you'll have to make a relatively deep dive. This picture was taken 120ft. At this depth, the photographer's senses were impaired the equivalent of two and a half glasses of scotch. Likely this photograph would not have been taken at all had not the boat's anchor landed smack on top of this very gorgonian. To be sure, this squished the subject somewhat, but also reduced the photographer's drunkard walk (or, swim) towards the dive's turnaround point to a voyage of only inches. In truth, diving to this depth without the benefit of helium in one's breathing gas isn't very smart. I'm actually a little surprised I didn't get distracted and start taking pictures of the leprechauns also commonly seen after about 100ft.
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mmm...beautiful.
I would say, salt and pepper it heavily and flash fry it in a hot wok with peanut oil.
Indeed his photos are amazing.
RIP my friend.
Clinton
what a tragedy! Why on earth was he diving on his own? Where was his buddy? I hope other divers are warned by this tragic and unnecessary death of a talented person.
Some folks are just so driven to explore that they can't resist temptation. Kawika was one of those people. If a weather window opened up allowing him to dive an out of the way place he just had to go. For him it wasn't an option. When he couldn't convince somebody to go with him he'd do it alone. The very last email I have from him was simply a link to the marine forecast that day which was an invitation to go diving. I couldn't make it, and probably would have told him I wasn't comfortable going there in a single 17 foot Boston Whaler anyway. I wish he'd been more cautious and listened to his friends when we advised restraint but alas that was not his nature.
The sea is a cruel mistress and it's my hope that this does serve as a reminder of that fact. I know he had more to offer than a mere cautionary tale but at least we have his pictures.