SODWANA BAY , SOUTH AFRICA - 9 FEBRUARY 2007

WIth the westerly 'medicine' failing to arrive and clean up the water in Aliwal, conditions finally got to Jason and Roger as they changed plans and headed up to Sodwana bay, a long, sweeping, dune bordered beach which extends up the KwaZulu Natal coast until it reaches the Mozambique border and beyond.

Four productive days were spent there with the mornings consisting of shooting the abundant life on Sodwana's surprisingly rich reefs. Large schools of snapper and goatfish were commonly seen as well as extremely large and friendly potato bass, rays and a solitary guitar ray. However these morning dives were merely the daily aperitif to the main course - Raggies.

Raggy sharks (AKA Grey Nurse & Sand Tiger) are some of the most fearsome looking sharks around. However they are rarely aggressive and gave Jason and Roger the chance to get close enough for some toothy images without too much risk. Although the sensation of a 3m shark (which has more teeth than it could reasonably expect to fit in its mouth!) clearing your face by mere inches is one to savour!

With some great Raggy shots in the bag, it's now time to head back to Aliwal shoal for one last shot at the Tiger sharks ...

Raggy1.mov Raggy2.mov

As is often the way on these kinds of shoots the last throw of the dice gave Jason and Roger the shots they were after. One day of 10m visibility brought in 3 tiger sharks, and over 15 blacktips. With the obligatory Zambezi lurking in the thermocline below, the boys went to work for a 3 hour session taking stills and video. It was good clean fun for all the family with plenty of close head-on encounters and pass-bys from the tigers.

With some great shots in the bag the fickle conditions turned ugly once again, so the last day in South Africa was spent in Umfhalozi safari park. A very close brush with a Rhino and its calf reminded Jason and Roger just why they are underwater cameramen! Huge thanks go out to Mark and Gail Addison for their incredible hospitality as well as Simon and partner for great skippering and outstanding cups of tea!