Storms, Whales, Ducks, and more

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Home safe and sound . . .

BACK FROM INDONESIA - I'm taking a bit of literary license with my opening line as a couple of people extended their Asian stay but most of our group has returned home and hopefully has recovered from the jetlag by now (9 times zones). I've got the trip report done and now have to pare down the images for the SmugMug slide show (out of the 2,000+ that I shot) and hope to have all of that done in the next day or two. I will send you a separate link to both for those who want to hear what we did and see what we saw. We had some little hiccups along the way, as do most trips, which this time included a last-minute (literally) cancellation, four people who got head colds, and a battery leak which destroyed one of my two strobes. But overall, we once again had a delightful time with our friend at Murex Dive Resort in Manado and we can't wait to go back again.

WEST COAST STORM TO WATCH FOR - Keep an eye on Tropical Storm Elida. It's right now (Sunday evening) directly opposite Cabo and out to sea, but it's projected to take a due northward path, which means it's going to parallel the SoCal coastline late Monday into late Tuesday. It likely won't generate any rain, but there's a good chance that it will generate some decent-sized swells as it marches up the coast and peters out around the Bay area. Here's what the most recent NOAA map looks like at 6PM Sunday evening:

WHALE GRAVEYARD - Among the many interesting things that happen in the ocean is when a whale dies (hopefully of natural causes). The whale body sinks to the bottom, however deep that may be, and becomes what is known as a "whale fall." That then can become a longtime and welcome feast for bottom-dwelling creatures, many times at great depths where not much food falls from above, and eventually - after weeks or months or years - all that's left is a whale skeleton. So scientists have been very excited to have discovered one of the largest whale falls ever, off of Australia, which could date back as much as 5 million years. You can read more about it here: WHALE GRAVEYARD.

I'M (sort of) BACK ON TV!!! - For a few years now, DAN has been recording short conversations with various folks in the dive industry about what they do and their perspectives on diving in what's known as the DANcast, which you can find on their YouTube channel. I was very happy to be invited to participate as a guest. We shot this at the recent Scuba Show and covered topics such as Chamber Day and the Chamber itself, teaching diving, and memorable diving experiences. The episode runs a little over 28 minutes unedited, and you can watch it here: DANCAST WITH KEN KURTIS.

COZUMEL CUSTOMS FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF CABO? - There's an active thread on ScubaBoard (and a less active one on FaceBook) about diver photographers getting pulled aside and charged a 19% tariff on photo gear that exceeds the allowances (two still cameras, one video camera, one laptop, and other stuff). This has been happening in Cabo for years and there are reports out of Cancun as well. Not all photogs get pulled aside but a number do. (I personally saw one of our divers get dinged for $50 for a GoPro when we went through Cabo.) The point is, be sure you understand what you're allowed to bring in, and, if possible, have your gear in as not-a-photographer bag as possible. (Personally, I use a "regular" rollerboard carry-on. They seem to have an eagle-eye for Pelican boxes and similar containers.) Just be aware and on your toes (and try not to look like you're hiding something).

GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW - I somewhow have amassed a collection of those little yellow rubber ducks. I have no idea how it started and they mostly live on a shelf on my TV cabinet. Over the years I've gotten British ducks, a Trojan duck, a cowboy duck, and even a Puffin "duck." But my newest one, gifted to me by Carol Behrmann, will likely be my favorite. It's an Easter Island Moai duck:

And that'll do it for now. Have a great week and let's go diving soon!!!

- Ken