travelswithtam Archives | TRAVELS WITH TAM

Diving the Revillagigedos: San Benedicto

March 3, 2016 By Tam Warner 30 Comments

I have to say it: San Benedicto is my favorite island in the Revillagigedo. Why is that? Well, for one thing, the island is just so beautiful! The vertical ridges are lava flows turned into stone! It feels like going back in time.

Another reason is because it has my all-time favorite dive site: El Boiler. El Boiler is known for its magnificent marine life. Dolphins, sharks, and manta rays are usually present, and El Boiler is a fantastic place to play with the animals! These islands are unique, nowhere else can one play with Mantas. Not that I know of, anyway.

San Benedicto, diving, mantas — The Mantas in the Revillagigedo Islands are all Giant Mantas, or Manta Birostris. Their wing spans can grow up to 22 ft or more!

16 b manta eye — Looking into the eye of a Manta is almost a spiritual experience…there is a communion between diver and manta which resonates in your marrow. When you look them in the eye, you realize that a creature with intelligence is looking back.

Seeing a whale shark was very surprising, a true delight. It is not the season for them, but this young male showed up anyway. I am hoping I have the first ID shot of him so I can name him. The ID on a Whale Shark is directly behind the gills, as shown below. Each Whale Shark has a unique pattern, like a fingerprint. Manta Rays are identified by the markings on their tummies, each Manta has a unique pattern and can be loaded into www.mantamatcher.com.

san benedicto, diving, travels with tam — Manta Female ID shot. She is truly one of a kind!

diving, travels with tam — Shoal of Creolefish close to the boat

travels with tam, san benedicto — Amberjack and Creole

When coming up from a dive, we found ourselves in a huge shoal of creolefish. There were fish everywhere, even under the boat. The anchor line sat in the middle of this huge aggregate, and almost every diver was mesmerized by the sight. Sharks began to circle, Amberjacks and Tuna swam through the shoal. It was such an amazing sight, I find it difficult to find the words to describe it. We were all filled with wonder.

We wre mesmerized by the thousands of fish, and the sharks circling.

San Benedicto, diving — Another view of San Benedicto

I will do another post on San Benedicto. There is another dive site there that is astonishing called El Canon. There is so much to share with you!

Diving the Revillagigedo Islands: Socorro

March 2, 2016 By Tam Warner 22 Comments

scuba, mexico, adventure travel — The west side of Socorro has “shrubland”.

The island of Socorro is a part of the volcanic Revillagigedo Archipelago, and is inhabited by a small Mexican Navy presence (staff and families) 800 meters from one of the very few fresh water sources on the island. They protect the area from illegal fishing activities and perform rescue operations when needed. Our boat checked in there to register the dive boat’s presence in the area. These islands are located 600km offshore of Mexico, and it takes the Solmar V 24 hours to get to the first island.

Socorro is a shield volcano (not that I completely understand what that means). Divers love these volcanic islands because of the rich underwater life that inhabits them. There is no fishing allowed, and it is always lovely to dive with animals that haven’t been injured by hooks and lines and nets. As far as I know, there is no other place in the world where you can actually interact with dolphins and mantas in the wild. They are the ones who begin the interactions.

Cabo Pearce, a dive site off of Socorro, was the first place we decided to dive. Our daily schedule went like this:

615a Manolo, one of the staff, wakes us up by calling out “breakfast time!”

630a Breakfast…whatever you desire! Pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon, yogurt….well, you get the idea!

720a Get suited up and gear ready

745a Dive briefing. What is a dive briefing? The dive master goes over the dive site, tells you where the formations are, what the currents are like, and where, on the site, you are likely to find certain animals. These dive masters are out here for most of the year, and they know these islands and dive sites.

8a in the water! There were 3 groups, and the groups rotate as in who goes in first, second, third. After the first dive, hot chocolate was served and it is delicious. I looked forward to it every day.

1020a Dive!

12 or 1p Lunch…always a soup first. Divers are always hungry.

around 130 or 2p Dive! Then a snack. A different snack daily, from sushi to salami!

around 330 or 4p Dive!

Dinner at 7p. I barely made it until 830p and my eyes were drooping. Four dives a day in strong current is tiring, I can tell you. As the trip goes on you handle it better, but the first few days for me are always exhausting. I was Diver 9.

Taking photos in this location is a completely different experience from taking photos in the Caribbean, where the backgrounds are very colorful with coral. There is not much coral here, it is mostly rock, but there are advantages to that. Coral Reefs can seem like deserts when compared to the number of fish in the Revillagigedoes. I started out not using a strobe, and took photos by adjusting my White Balance underwater. The photos have a sort of “soft” or “cloudy” look, I think.

diving, scuba — A Bicolor Parrot and a Humphead Hogfish, and a Guinea Fowl Puffer

diving — A Forceps Butterflyfish and a Moorish Idol

diving revillagigedo — These sea cucumbers were laying eggs.

scuba diving — Mexican Hogfish. I just love the bump on their head!

My next blog will be on San Benedicto Island…and Manta Rays!

Fab Photos Friday: The World is Water 2

February 12, 2016 By Tam Warner 4 Comments

The World is Water, Part 2. I can never get enough of oceans, ponds, rivers, lakes, seas….just the sight of the water provokes a reaction. It may be calm, wild, turbulent, duckweed …whatever it is, it is lovely.

I will be in the Revillagigadoes Islands for the next couple of weeks, diving Roca Partida, Socorro, San Benedicto, el Boiler…and thrilled to see every manta, dolphin, shark, and hopefully, whale I see! I can’t wait to share it with you when I return! Off I go, on the luxurious Solmar V!

Exif_JPEG_PICTURE — Catalina Island View from the top

DCIM100GOPRO — Incredible view of Lake Tahoe

Smoke that Thunders…Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

Good morning Thailand! — Good morning Andaman Sea, Thailand!

Incredible view from the hills of Santa Barbara

Waiting on the boat between dives, Caribbean Sea off Isla Mujeres

Roca Partida of the Revillagigadoes Islands (Where I will be for 11 days in February 2016)

Blue Whales on the way to Guadalupe Island (where the Great White Sharks can be found in August/September!)

San Benedicto in the Revillagigadoes Islands (I will be there next week!)

bk 14 canal feeding fish — Catfish going crazy for food in a Bangkok Canal

ca 11 los coronados islands — Los Coronados Islands off Pacific Coast of Mexico (where you can dive with Sea Lions!)

bs 14 elep seal — Elephant Seal Beach off the Pacific Coast Highway

A view from the 18th hole at Grand Isle Resort, Great Exumas.

sb 14 beach — The stretch of beach in Santa Barbara, Ca

sb 14 from the hills — A view from the hills above Santa Barbara

is 14 isla de la plata — Isla de la Plata, Ecuador

Wildebeest and flamingo in the crater — Wildebeest and flamingo in the water hole, Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania.

chs 12 mag swamp — Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC

coz 14 storm clouds — Storm coming in Cozumel, Mexico

Fab Photos Friday: Beautiful Lake Tahoe

January 14, 2016 By Tam Warner 1 Comment

I am headed to Lake Tahoe next week, and so excited to travel there during the winter. I hope it is a snowy paradise! But the fact is, even without snow, Lake Tahoe is easily one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Enjoy! I will share the Tahoe winter wonderland photos when I return! If you have any suggestions for places to eat or things to do, please comment!

t 14 emerald bay — Incredible Emerald Bay

tahoe 12 truckee river rafting foursome — Enjoying a raft trip on the Truckee (I later fell out of the raft. sigh.)

tah 12 tam namaste 2 — Doing some yoga after bouldering

Rubicon Beach is private, and so gorgeous!

We took a helicopter ride and it was awesome!

2 lakes, Cascade and Fallen Leaf, seen on our helicopter ride

t 14 cascade lake private — Isn’t this private lake gorgeous??

t 14 into Emerald Bay — Boating into Emerald Bay. The water was so blue!

t 14 ski runs and clouds — The air is so clear you can see the ski runs!

t 14 captain ran — We enjoyed a boat ride on the lake.

Storm coming into South Tahoe…see the casinos?

Tam’s Travels: 2015 Photoblog

December 31, 2015 By Tam Warner 2 Comments

I have traveled quite a bit this year, and you know how I love to do it! Here are my highlights!

2015 cz col shallows eagle ray close up — Cozumel is always a highlight…especially when it involves Eagle Rays!

They are such artists in their presentation, don't you agree? — They are such artists in their presentation, don’t you agree? La Cocay in Cozumel!

Lobster Tempura is an appetizer....but it served as my entree. Delicious! — Lobster Tempura is an appetizer….but it served as my entree. Delicious! Buccano’s at Night.

Sunset from Villa Coronado, Cozumel Mexico

Shamrockin' for a Cure, Georgia Style! — Shamrockin’ for a Cure, Georgia Style!

We were thrilled that 2 weeks sold for 19,500.00!!!! — We were thrilled that 2 weeks at our home in Cozumel sold for 10,500.00!!!! It benefits Cystic Fibrosis!

At Shamrockin' for a Cure, March 7. — At Shamrockin’ for a Cure, March 7 in Atlanta with dear friends, Tom and Nanc.

An interesting walk. — An interesting walk on Tybee Beach in South Carolina, near Charleston.

Gator on the golf course in Isle of Palms!

The Crab Shack, Tybee Island. A Low Country Boil.

Savannah's Leopold's Ice Cream! — Savannah’s Leopold’s Ice Cream!

We had fun riding bikes on the beach! Isle of Palms!

Randy found another heart for me! A cool colony of tunicates! — Randy found another heart for me!

2015 cb sea pork2 — Cool “sea pork” on Clearwater Beach!

Stone Crab at Rockaway Frenchys! Clearwater Beach.

Sandpearl on Clearwater Beach — Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach

2015 cr waterway — Crystal River, Florida

fla 06 crystal river manatee rolling — Crystal River is home to Manatees!

2015 plantation inn — Plantation Inn in Crystal River, FL

2015 merid quiche and corn pudding — Meridien Mississippi’s Weidman’s!

2015 cb is pretty — Clearwater Beach, FL

2015 sandpearl waterfall — Waterfall at the Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach

In Austin for our son's wedding May 3! — In Austin for our son’s wedding May 3!

We stayed in the Batman Suite at Planet Hollywood...remember the JOKER????? — We stayed in the Batman Suite at Planet Hollywood…remember the JOKER?????

Our incredibly fabulous view. — Our incredibly fabulous view from Planet Hollywood‘s Batman Suite! June!

My friend and I dining at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. It is exquisite! — My BFF and I dining at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. It is exquisite! And she had never been to Vegas before!

Enjoying the waters of Cozumel! July 2015

2015-07-01 12.33.07 yuc rainbow parrot close — A Rainbow Parrotfish!

2015-07-05 18.44.16 queen triggerfish — Queen Triggerfish

Conch eyes are so fascinating! Cozumel, 2015.

Shannon and I at The Money Bar for breakfast! — Meeting up with Shannon O’Donnell of A Little Adrift in Cozumel, July!

Marine Megafauna Citizen Science Trip in Cancun/Isla Mujeres/Yucatan. We did two days of diving with Rodrigo Friscione, of Solo Buceo in Cancun.

I took this photo of the vertical, pregnant whale shark and our Kiwi! — I took this photo of the vertical, pregnant whale shark and our Kiwi, Fin!

Andrea took this awesome photo of me with the Whale Shark!

Andrea, Elnora and Fin with a Whale Shark

I was the only one left to celebrate Fin's birthday with her! We had a lovely dinner. — I was the only one left to celebrate Fin’s birthday with her! We had a lovely dinner.

My volunteer trips have brought me new friendships, new insights, and incredible experiences. August 2015.

Southwest Bistro. — Southwest Bistro at the Hyatt Austin, on Lady Bird Lake! August 2015

Austin skyline. — Austin skyline….from our room at the Hyatt!

Welcome to the Ritz Carlton Club in Aspen Highlands! September 2015

Our balcony, overlooking the mountain and pool.

Our close friends are a gift, we are the back four!

Maroon Bells from river. Ah, we hated to leave!

fight club — This huge guy came to visit us in Cozumel, October 2015

15 midnight parrot — Midnight Parrotfish

Holding hands with ... a dead guy? — Holding hands with … a dead guy? Day of the Dead in Cozumel!

I loved this altar, it was clearly done with much love.

The famous St Lucia Pitons, December 2015. A trip with REEF to survey the reefs!

jade mountain — The exclusive Jade Mountain Resort

15 dinner — Dinner with fellow surveyors!

So many fish! — So many fish in St Lucia!

So, those are my journeys for the year of 2015. I went to several places I’d never been before, Aspen, St Lucia, Clearwater Beach…and every trip was wonderful and worthwhile! I am so looking forward to 2016! Happy Travels in the New Year to you!

Give Back to Mother Earth this Holiday Season!

December 3, 2015 By Tam Warner 19 Comments

Do you love animals? The ocean? Terra Firma? Do you have a conservationist in your family or friend group? If so, consider these gifts which will not only please the recipient, but give a priceless gift to our fellow creatures. Did you watch RACING EXTINCTION last night on Discovery? It premiered, and it has the power to change the terrible outcome that awaits us and future generations. What one thing can YOU do to help? #STARTWITH1THING

It takes one small thing to start a revolution. What will you do to help?

How about adopting something really BIG??? Like a Whale Shark or a Manta Ray? The person it is gifted to can name it as well, and sightings of the animal will be reported to them! check out http://www.marinemegafauna.org/support-us/adopt-a-giant/! The team at Marine Megafauna knows how to give a BIG gift opportunity! Here is my BIG girl! Daenerys Targaryen, the Stormborn, Princess of Dragonstone, Queen of the Andals and First Men, Queen of the 7 Kingdoms, the Unburnt, and Mother of Dragons! We just call her Dany for short!

I was given the wonderful gift of naming this beautiful Manta in the Revillagigadoes Islands. The Manta had not been seen since 2003 until I photographed it in 2012 and turned put it in the database for the Pacific Manta Research Group. I decided on JEDI with the help of Karey Kumli at the Pacific Manta Research Group! I had two names, and Karey said “I like Jedi, it has a positive and powerful message. Keepers of Peace & Justice in the galaxy.” Isn’t that what we are trying for? Peace and Justice for the creatures that populate the earth?

JEDI

Manatees and Dugongs are endangered by humans and their boats. They are such sweet, friendly creatures. Remember them this holiday season! Donate here: https://secure3.4agoodcause.com/save-the-manatee-club/gift.aspx?id=2 or adopt one!

A Little Fun Rolling in Crystal River, FL

Join the fight for a healthy ocean and ecosystem! Join the Ocean Conservancy! http://www.oceanconservancy.org/the-ocean-matters/

Let’s not forget our other friends: African animals http://www.africanwildlifeconservationfund.org/

With the death of Cecil and so many other lions, they have become critically endangered. Can you imagine a world without Big Cats? I can’t. Help by High Five Give Five! http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats-initiative/get-involved/

Black Rhinos are almost extinct in the wild…and the Northern White Rhino is on the verge. There are three left in the wild. Yes, only three. They are in such desperate shape. They truly need all the help they can get. http://www.savetherhino.org/

and don’t forget Pelagic Life, http://www.pelagiclife.org. From studying animals to assisting sharks who have been “hooked”, this group is always active in the cause of saving our Pelagic Life. Nurture YOUR soul in the open ocean!

Give a gift of life and conservation for the holidays, and help humans preserve not only wildlife, but ourselves.

PS: Please don’t forget when you travel, fly airlines that do not carry endangered species cargo. American Airlines just announced it will no longer carry shark fins as cargo! They join, just to name a few, Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Jet Airways, and United Airlines. Many, many carriers are joining the crusade to stop transporting ivory, rhino horns, shark fins, manta fins, sea turtles and other endangered species parts. Choose your airlines and hotels and even shipping companies based on this kind of criteria. If they contribute to the shark fin trade, do not fly them. And let them know why you won’t fly them. Use social media to chastise any transport of these endangered species parts!

Happy Holidays to one and all! Let’s all help make this a friendlier planet!

travelswithtam

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