December 2024

Humpback Whale

2024 Song of the Humpback Whale and Remembering Doctor Dan

While in Moorea watching whales Tracy and I were fortunate to spend several hours listening to humpback whale song. I experienced whale song many times in Hawaii although that was 20+ years ago so the experience was no longer fresh in my mind. Tracy had heard whalesong as well but…

Phil CollaDecember 27, 2024

Best Photographs of the Year

Natural History Photography – My Favorite Photos of 2024

2024 brought very little diving around Southern California but instead surprised us with an array of new experiences and photo subjects. We managed to check off several bucket list items as well as a cross-town move and a cross-country road trip with a puppy. Locally, I did a little diving…

Phil CollaDecember 24, 2024

Aerial Photography Midriff Islands Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Diving Islas San Lorenzo in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

After two days diving the waters around Isla San Pedro Martir, the Rocio del Mar departed with an overnight passage to a small group of islands to our northwest, Islas San Lorenzo. We spent only one day diving here, so I did not get to know the area as well…

Phil CollaDecember 16, 2024

Aerial Photography Midriff Islands Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Diving Isla San Pedro Martir in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

After two days diving Isla Angel de la Guarda, we made an overnight crossing to Isla San Pedro Martir, a spectacular and remote island in the middle of the Sea of Cortez. Isla San Pedro Martir is a critical habitat for sea birds, and indeed the island is covered in…

Phil CollaDecember 15, 2024

Aerial Photography Midriff Islands Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Diving Isla Angel de la Guarda in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

Midriffs Trip part 1 of 3: In July I spent a week diving the Midriff Islands in the Northern part of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). I had never been to these islands and had wanted to see them for decades to go along with the many other…

Phil CollaDecember 12, 2024

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Fall 2024

I managed several trips in October and November to the Coronado Islands, in northern Baja California just south of San Diego, to dive with California Sea Lion pups (Zalophus californianus) at the "Lobster Shack" rookery. I try to visit each fall when the combination of dive conditions and sea lion…

Phil CollaDecember 9, 2024