UKDIVING
Above : If the basking sharks don ’ t show then there is usually an alternative to keep everyone happy . This is Fingal ’ s Cave on the Island of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides . The basalt columns make an impressive sight and a fine bit of modelling by the snorkeller adds to the scene . This was my last underwater photo .
Below : You need to have a bit of luck when planning to photograph seasonal visitors to our shores and it took me several years to get a decent photograph of a basking shark . These harmless , plankton feeders are the second biggest fish in the sea ( after the whale shark ) and this was quite a big individual at around nine metres long . The Inner Hebrides provides perhaps the best opportunities to see them ; this one was between Coll and Tiree .
Above : A trip to Coll with Basking Shark Scotland provided plenty of photographic opportunities both underwater and above . One highlight for me was a dive by the pier as the sun was going down . The main difficulty was trying to find the most colourful leg with the best sunrays . Most are completely covered in dead man ’ s fingers and anemones with the occasional crab such as this one .
Below : Another visit to St Abbs but some years later . Trying for a bit of creativity , this northern prawn was shot with a wide aperture to give a very limited depth of field , with only the eyes in focus .
40