Mexico

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

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2023

As I try to do every year, I did some diving at the Coronado Islands in October and November to watch California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Islas Coronado lie just south of the US border about 10 miles offshore of Tijuana, Mexico. The group of four islands and some rocks…

Phil CollaDecember 12, 2023

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

A Huge Mellow California Sea Lion Bull, and a Sea Lion Pup’s Odd Coat

My efforts to photograph California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) this fall were not as productive as in the past, due to a combination of cancelled trips, poor weather, dirty water and a lack of sunshine. But on my last scheduled day diving in the Coronados this year I did have a…

Phil CollaDecember 23, 2022

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lion Pups: Instagram Models and Another Runway Image

This year has been a challenge as far as diving locally is concerned. I had multiple trips planned to Mexico's Coronado Islands but so far only one has really produced any good diving and images. Here are some photographs from a single long dive at Lobster Shack, enjoying the company…

Phil CollaDecember 2, 2022

Fur Seal Guadalupe Island Mexico Underwater Photography

Guadalupe Fur Seal Photos Underwater, Isla Guadalupe, Mexico

Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi) can be found in small colonies along Guadalupe Island, resting in shallow water and hauled out on rocks. In fact, their coloration is such a fine match for the dark volcanic rocks that make up the coastline of Guadalupe Island that they are often hard to…

Phil CollaNovember 10, 2022

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2021

This is the last in my "Southern California Bight Sampler (Post-Covid?)" series: Coronado Islands Refresher San Clemente Island's Kelp Forests Catalina Island's West End Farnsworth Banks San Diego Wrecks Coronado Islands - Sea Lions in Fall Each Fall I look forward to spending time in the shallow waters of a…

Phil CollaNovember 9, 2021

Islas Coronado Mexico

Coronado Islands Refresher

The Spring of 2021 has brought some semblance of normality, or at least the hope of normality, to our lives and that goes for diving. Granted, international travel is messed up and may be for a while. In the last year I had major dive trips to Mexico, Solomons, Philippines…

Phil CollaMay 24, 2021

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions at the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Fall is the best time to dive with young California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Most pups are born in May and June, and by September they have become strong enough to swim and will venture out from the rocks on which they live into shallow water. A sea lion colony…

Phil CollaNovember 22, 2020

Guadalupe Island Mexico

Cloud Wakes and Von Karman Vortices at Guadalupe Island, Mexico

In addition to exceptional underwater scenery and wildlife, Guadalupe Island is host to spectacular weather, much of it the result of the island's singular, impressive geometry. Standing alone in the Pacific Ocean and reaching a height of 4257', Isla Guadalupe disrupts whatever weather is flowing past the island. There might…

Phil CollaSeptember 20, 2020

Mexico Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) on Black Coral (Antipatharia), Sea of Cortez, Mexico

The last time I was diving in the Sea of Cortez, I decided to try to photograph the longbill hawkfish in black coral. My friend Mike took us to dive on his namesake reef, a secret spot north of La Paz with reefs that are spectacularly lush and covered with…

Phil CollaApril 30, 2020

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Lobster Shack, Coronado Islands, Mexico

I try to reach Lobster Shack at North Coronado Island each fall to dive with California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Some years are better than others but generally the months of October and November offer superb encounters with these gregarious young pinnipeds. I say young because in fact the gangs…

Phil CollaMarch 30, 2020

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Cyclops the Strange-Eyed California Sea Lion

In December I spent a day diving the Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California in Mexico, home to one of the better California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) rookeries within a reasonable drive. The water was off-color so I did not make any beautiful images but I did encounter Cyclops the…

Phil CollaMay 12, 2019

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lion Pups in the Coronado Islands

In early November I spent a day diving with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Lobster Shack at the North Island was place to be since that's where a great colony of sea lions is. Conditions were excellent, about as good as diving in the Coronados gets. Photographer friend Allison had…

Phil CollaDecember 31, 2018

Aerial Photography Mexico Revillagigedos Islands Underwater Photography

Two Days in Las Islas Revillagigedo

On the return from Clipperton Island to Cabo San Lucas, we stopped for a few days to dive at Socorro Island and San Benedicto Island, two islands in the Revillagigedos Archipelago. These stark volcanic islands offer some of the best diving in the world, with spectacular encounters with sharks, manta…

Phil CollaJuly 25, 2017

Aerial Photography Mexico Sea of Cortez Video

Aerial Video of Archipelago Espiritu Santo and the Sea of Cortez

In October I was fortunate to be a guest aboard a friend's boat for 9 days, diving the islands north of La Paz, Mexico. One of our goals was to obtain visuals of the Archipelago Espiritu Santo as part of an effort to support legislative proposals seeking greater environmental protections…

Phil CollaNovember 23, 2016

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Life Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Some of my favorite diving with California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) has taken place at Mexico's Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado). The Coronados are a small group of undeveloped rocky islands just offshore of Tijuana, Mexico and only about an hour boat ride south of San Diego. Seemingly barren, the islands…

Phil CollaMay 5, 2016

Mexico Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions underwater, Sea of Cortez, Mexico Image ID: 31205 Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico In October, Tracy and I joined our friends Mike and Sherry, Skip, Shirley, Barb and Walt for 9 wonderful days diving in the Sea of Cortez…

Phil CollaJanuary 29, 2016

Alaska Antarctica Bald Eagle California Fiji Hawaii Mexico Ocean Sunfish Penguin Surf Underwater Photography

Seven of my Favorite Images #challengeonnaturephotography

In December a Facebook "challenge" was making the rounds named #challengeonnaturephotography. One of my favorite underwater photographers, Allison Vitsky Sallmon, nominated me to give it a try, and these are the seven images I plucked from my files to share. Each bears a special place in my personal history of…

Phil CollaJanuary 16, 2016

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Sport Diver Cover, June 2015, Sea Lion in the Sea of Cortez

I love diving in the Sea of Cortez in the Fall. The water is warm, the weather is often serene, the diving easy and fun. And there are some amazing rookeries of sea lions, including the world famous Los Islotes island in the Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve. So I was…

Phil CollaJune 12, 2015

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Baja California, Mexico

Los Islotes, the small island just off the northern end of Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez, is my favorite place in the world for photographing California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). These wonderful pinnipeds are very comfortable with the presence of, and famous for the willingness to interact with,…

Phil CollaMarch 3, 2014

Islas Coronado Mexico Underwater Life

Whales at the Coronado Islands, Mexico

Whales visit the Coronado Islands in Mexico throughout the year. During winter months, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) pass by the islands, first southbound and a few months later traveling north, during their annual migration between Baja California and the Bering Sea. Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus)…

Phil CollaFebruary 12, 2014

Islas Coronado Mexico Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Garibaldi Fish, Coronado Islands, Mexico

The most easily recognized, and typically the most prolific, fish at Mexico's Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado) is the brilliant orange Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus). Some underwater areas of the Coronado Islands are urchin barrens (reef areas taken over by fields of sea urchins and devoid of most other marine life) so…

Phil CollaFebruary 10, 2014

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Mexico

Aerial Photos of Islas Coronado, the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Aerial Photos of the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico These new aerial photos of the three main islands in Las Islas Coronado, offshore of Baja California not far from Tijuana (Mexico) and San Diego, came from a nice flight a few weeks ago during a high pressure system, which calmed…

Phil CollaFebruary 8, 2014

Mexico Sea of Cortez

Medano Beach Sunrise, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Medano Beach, the beautiful long sand beach fronting the bay of Cabo San Lucas, can be crowded and busy with tourists, but I found that it was peaceful and quiet each morning. Sunrise on Medano Beach, on the coast of Cabo San Lucas, MexicoImage ID: 28948Location: Cabo San Lucas, Baja…

Phil CollaJanuary 24, 2014

Mexico Sea of Cortez

Aerial Photos of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico

We celebrated the Christmas holiday in Cabo San Lucas. I had hoped to perhaps make a few good images of pristine, lonely, white-sand beaches, the ones I recall from my last visit to Cabo San Lucas in 1985. Alas, resort development has taken over the coastline. So I hired an…

Phil CollaDecember 29, 2013

Great White Shark Guadalupe Island Mexico Sharks Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Great White Shark Portrait

This great white shark photo (Carcharodon carcharias) was shot under dark skies, in early morning. These are tough conditions to shoot underwater with only available light. I prefer to shoot without strobes whenever possible but in the days of film this particular morning would have required I use artificial lights.…

Phil CollaApril 15, 2013

Environmental Problems Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

International Conservation Photography Awards 2012

Art Wolfe hosts the biennial International Conservation Photography Awards ("ICP Awards"). One of my images was honored in the 2010 edition of the competition, so I decided to try again this year. My photograph of a young California sea lion entangled in monofilament fishing line, taken in the Espiritu Santo…

Phil CollaAugust 15, 2012

Marine Life Mexico Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Panamic Green Moray Eel

Photo of Panamic Green Moray Eel, Gymnothorax castaneus While I was in Mexico's beautiful Sea of Cortez doing some diving last November, I spent time photographing the Panamic Green Moray eels (Gymnothorax castaneus). These eels are quite common, often found underneath large boulders and overhangs. They are typically content to…

Phil CollaFebruary 15, 2012

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico

Los Islotes is a small island at the northern end of Isla Espiritu Santo, near La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. Espiritu Santo Island and Partida Island are two beautiful desert islands, scalloped with gorgeous white sand beaches. Bird nest on their rugged slopes, and cardon cacti grow in…

Phil CollaFebruary 10, 2012

Mexico Video

Sea of Cortez Underwater Canon 7D Video Footage

I recently finished editing still photographs made in the Sea of Cortez in November. While I was shooting photos I also took some time to grab video footage with the Canon 7D that I was using. This is a rough edit that I made from some clips, assembled in iMovie.…

Phil CollaJanuary 1, 2012

Guadalupe Island Sea Lion

California Sea Lion at Guadalupe Island, Mexico

I've been photographing California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) for about 20 years and still do not have the perfect image of one. They are a lot of fun to dive with, but are notoriously fickle about staying put and posing for the camera. In addition, the fur of a seal…

Phil CollaApril 12, 2011

Mexico Photography

En Línea con la Ecología – A Photographic Exhibition in Mexico City

En Línea con la Ecología is a major natural history photographic exhibition on display now in Mexico City. Sponsored by Telmex, the goal of the exhibition is to show viewers the extraordinary biological diversity and beauty of the landscapes of Mexico and heighten interest and a sense of ownership in…

Phil CollaFebruary 4, 2011

Guadalupe Island Mexico

Guadalupe Island :: First Impressions

First Impressions: Guadalupe Island, Mexico September 1994. Our early expeditionary trips to Guadalupe Island on the Horizon were wild affairs. Each year Skip assembled a superb mix of skilled spearfishermen looking for giant tuna and intrepid SCUBA divers seeking to explore the scarcely seen underwater environment of remote Guadalupe Island.…

Phil CollaJuly 15, 2010

Abstract Mexico

Sunset Reflections, Sea of Cortez, Abstract Photo

The sun sets on the Sea of Cortez. Today's abstract photo, #12 of 15. Sunset and water, Sea of Cortez.Image ID: 00285

Phil CollaJune 17, 2009

Great White Shark Guadalupe Island Icons Mexico Sharks

Great White Shark Photos

This great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) was photographed at Guadalupe Island, Mexico. I think I have made about 15 trips to the island, a mix of open-water diving trips and shark cage photography trips. I am hoping to get down there again for scuba diving, freediving and just plain exploration…

Phil CollaApril 22, 2009

Guadalupe Island Mexico

Guadalupe 2008: Day’s End

Sunset comes at the end of a day of shark diving at Guadalupe Island. What lurks below? This is the dark water that gave the island one of its nicknames: "Monster Island". Dark water, clouds at days end, cliffs, sunset. Image ID: 21382 Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California,…

Phil CollaOctober 12, 2008

Great White Shark Guadalupe Island Mexico Sharks

Guadalupe 2008: Great White Shark Portrait, Horizontal

This is one of my favorites from this year's trip on the M/V Horizon to photograph great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) at Guadalupe Island. A great white shark swims underwater through the ocean at Guadalupe Island. Image ID: 21346 Species: Great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe),…

Phil CollaOctober 7, 2008

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