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With a size approaching 60 feet as a full grown adult,
the Whale Shark is the world’s largest fish. Found throughout the
tropical seas of the world, this animal is unmistakable when seen. It’s
color pattern of white spots and both horizontal and vertical stripes on
a dark blue/black body make this shark easy to see even from the deck of
a boat. One of only three sharks in the world that are plankton eaters,
their large size belies their gentle behavior around snorkelers and
divers. |
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TIPS FOR WHALE SHARK PHOTOGRAPHS: Although there are several places
in the world where Whale Sharks are a sure thing (Western Australia), I
usually find them opportunistically. So it’s back to the advice of being
prepared for anything! As these animals do not shy from divers, I enter
the water with a wide-angle lens, usually my Nikonos V and 15mm. When an
animal approaches the boat, I find that keeping the motor running
actually seems to hold their interest. Whale Sharks often will circle
the boat while it is idling in neutral. As soon as I shut off the motor,
the shark often dives. This tidbit may or may not work for anyone else,
but I believe they are actually interested in the vibrations in the
water. Try it the next time you see one! |
