Solitude

A lone Humpback whale approaches my position in the the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean off the North West Coast of Western Australia This image is part of a monumental personal achievement following two decades of struggle with open ocean exposure as a result of multiple Great White Shark attacks at home got into my head, affecting all of my ocean going experieces. Any of the ocean photography you have seen has essentially been done terrified. This photograph was created with that same fear, but the desire to challenge myself to try , outweighed the fear, the result was an incredible moment between me and this beautiful creature, moments after this he turned and dove directly under me. eyeballing me on the way past. In the moments after I swam directly to the Jetski, hopped on stood at the helm and looked straight at a 4-5 metre tiger shark mid circle of our position. I guess there is some contemplative contrast in the the title and elements of our experience on earth, we are all seeking moments of solitude and peace, maybe this Humpback was seeking the same, maybe I thought I was out "alone" when I was metres away from the thing that has challenged my mind. I wasn't alone, but I was left alone. There are many lessons for me still to learn.