Following is a link to a video I filmed on the July 2008 JASA / Wetpixel Expedition

http://gallery.me.com/chrisrubie#100213

I enjoyed so much having regular updates on Emma over the last few months (seeing her become more and more pregnant), through everyone's pictures, that I thought we should dedicate a post to her.

She keeps on giving us so much great photo opportunities...

Following is a short description of my first encounter with her...


I have edited together the most acceptable footage of Emma over these 2 exceptional days. The video is lengthy but the rawness of it should reflect quite well what diving with this amazing shark is like and hopefully it brings back memories to those who have been lucky enough to dive with her.

You might notice how with Emma present, the Lemon sharks are paid very little attention to, except to push them out of the shot...

On our second day at Tiger Beach we were lucky to have Emma pay us a visit. She spent the best of 2 days with us.

She is huge !...14 ft.

If a bond is at all possible between a Tiger Shark and a human, then Jim Abernethy and her definitely have something going...

Unlike other tigers who tend to be rather weary of humans she comes in very close. It seems that she recognises Jim’s boat and probably Jim himself.

On the first day, before we start the shark dives. Jim gives a very extensive briefing on the various species of sharks, their typical behaviours ect. Safety of the divers & the Sharks is a priority at all times.
A full section is dedicated to tiger sharks, and a number of them are introduced by name. Emma is probably the most famous of them all and is classified as one of few “Supermodels”.

Nothing however prepared me to the life changing effect she would have on my perception of Tigers.

All geared up, my camera in one hand, the pvc stick in the other I prepare to enter the crystal clear water...

I can see her, 15 ft below, circling Jim and the divers brave enough to have gone in first...
(right... I needed to double check my equipment for one final 6th time...can you blame me ?)

Heart racing I slide into the water as delicately as possible and drop immediately to the bottom (some will remember it didn’t go so well on the second dive...)

She immediately heads straight for me to check me out... My heart stops... This trip was a bad idea after all... I should have listened to my wife...

But wait... Although still extremely alert, keeping an eye on Emma at all times (as instructed), ...after the initial alarm, a strange sense of calmness settles in.
She is not out to eat us after all.

She comes in close repeatedly but never shows any aggressiveness. She even slides in between divers in spaces that seem way too small for her to fit through.

She comes at us head on, from above, right side, left side, circles once, twice...

We are definitely all in awe... A bunch of paparazzi who can't get enough...

She is definitely a Supermodel.

Our reaction back on the boat ?...

The last few minutes of footage speak for themselves I think...

Based on the latest reports Emma is currently pregnant. Lets hope she has many healthy pups and that we see them at Tiger Beach in a few years from now.

Wow. Wonderful footage. Thanks so much for sharing!

Someday.....

Thanks Chris!
It's amazing to see how much bigger she has gotten in just a year. This is June 2009;





When I first looked I thought it couldn't be Emma she was so much bigger when we saw her in June. Then I looked again and saw the date.
Thanks for sharing her with us.

Cheers,
Steve

Steve,

She is huge ! That's a great picture.
She seems ready to give birth anytime...
Was that taken at Tiger Beach ? It seems to be on a reef...

Very cool, Chris. Are you gonna come back for more in 2010?

There is loads of me on that video too (silver coloured strobes). I realise that I am far from a supermodel.

Those conditions on Day 4 were awesome - so clear and blue. Here are a couple of photos from that dive, I could probably work out the moment I took them from the footage.





She's so much bigger in your photo, Steve. Jim has often said that she appears to get longer as well as fatter when she is pregnant, and then shrinks again afterwards! They have even tried to measure her to be sure. Weird. It is so nice to see her full of baby Ts.

Alex

Emma was missing for the July 09 Wetpixel trip - and she hadn't been seen for a couple of weeks. I hope she is OK and is back soon!

Great shots you guys - you're making me jealous!

Cheers
James

She was pregnant earlier right James...so maybe she went off to give birth?

Christophe - WOW..super footage! You really put the viewer right there in front of Emma.

Steve and/or Alex - Okay I have to ask....with all the sediment kicked up by photogs how in the world is it minimized in your photos! I've been shooting macro for awhile but sometimes my WA shots really light up the sediment (not really backscatter or bubble reflection) but just lit up particles.

Hey partner,
The simple answer is I took a class from Alex. In this case with a big subject my 250's are spread out as far as I can get them with my 5&8 arms and moved slightly behind the dome. Although how I managed to remember that with Emma swimming right over me I don't really know. I guess Alex is a great teacher.

Cheers,
Steve

This is Emma a few years ago, also very pregnant. She is one of the most majestic creatures I've ever seen!

I guess the key is for the group to do their best not to kick up the sediment. Also, it is nice at tiger beach when their is a slight current to wash away any sediment.

When the sharks are very close it is not to much of a problem, anyway.

Alex

I cant see Steves photo for some reason, is it on your Flickr page Steve. I am going to be heading out there in 2011 for my 40th. Seeing that video has made me want to go sooner. Alex's images are Alex's images and I wouldnt expect anything less than quality from him. I was also thinking about the sand being kicked up, I guess like Alex said, if they are close then it isnt a problem. I can see this post being full of mouth watering images .

Keep'm coming Stew

I can see the photo now, what a beauty and what a BIG belly. Its nearly as big as mine
Cracking shot Steve

Fantastic video Chris. Really enjoyed it.

Alex,

Yes hoping to be on the 2010 trip.

Will you be leading it ?