BIG ANIMALS AND LITTTLE CRITTERS
AFRICA
South Africa
By MICHAEL AW
The annual migration of sardines up the east coast of South Africa
during the months of May to July predictably causes a frenzy amongst
some of the most enigmatic animals of our oceans. Because of the cold
currents along this stretch of coastline and the sardines’ appetite for
plankton, the fish sometimes converge close to the shoreline and to
the surface, making perfect targets for hungry predators and exciting
opportunities for intrepid underwater adventurers.
Imagine thousands of Cape gannets with chisel-sharp beaks
plunging from the sky into a massive sardine ball; Zambezi and
copper sharks charging in by the hundreds; and the engineers of
the feast, common dolphins, herding the sardines towards the
surface, where they can be devoured more effectively. Lurking
below, unseen in the darkness of the depths, may be Bryde’s
whales, 50-ton hot-blooded predators ready to come hurtling
upwards to calve a giant chunk off the fish ball.
Like all wildlife experiences, nothing is guaranteed. It is not
uncommon to be out on the water for 10 days and come back
without a single picture. But when the magic finally happens,
this epitome of underwater wildlife adventures is definitely
worth the wait. For the experienced diver and underwater
photographer, this is the ultimate thrill ride.
17. Copper sharks get
their fill of fish during
Southern Africa’s famed
sardine run
SDOP
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