Shallow Water Pictorial of Tahitian Lagoons

       One of the many joys of sailing from Hawaii to Tahiti is watching the North Star at your back as it gradually falls lower on the horizon. Every night as you approach the equator, it descends a little lower in the sky. But before you have left it behind, and out of sight, another constellation appears low on the horizon directly in front of you, the Southern Cross, and the watching game continues as one disappears and the other continues to rise.
       Most of the islands of the South Pacific are safe guarded by a surrounding reef that protects the clear quiet waters of the lagoons. The green moist land and high volcanic peaks absorb the rains and the lagoons reflect their color onto the underside of the clouds. So even before the land comes into sight one sees where it is located by the green reflection on the clouds. This commonly causes a lightness of the heart to the sailor, especially after a long passage and many days at sea. It also gives the navigator a smile and allows him to make a final adjustment to the helm. As you approach closer, the peaks of ancient volcanos slowly rise from the horizon and soon you get a whiff of the rich fragrance of land. 

       The following photographs were all taken in the lagoons of the islands of French Polynesia

The shadow on the surface is from the divers skiff and not a sea monster. 

         Although deep water diving is exciting it is also a pleasure to photograph the quiet           shallows and have a naturally lighted ceiling to add scale to the scene.

       You may have noticed that this is an odd shape for a coral tree. That’s because this is all that remains of a sunken fishing boat. The coral has grown over the  remnants of the engine parts giving it the unusual shape. A close look will reveal that boat nails are still sticking out the remaining ribs.

I hope you have enjoyed photos, they have there own beauty and are so serene that I don’t think they need explaining. 

         And for more reading, I have two books available at Amazon Books.

                                          Spain and the Bulls

                                 

                                   Link to: Spain and the Bulls

                                Cruise of the Gringo Vagabundos

                                 Link to: Cruise of the Gringo Vagabundos


                          Don't forget to visit the    "KelpLady" site   if you haven't seen it.