WHALE SHARKS

While on a recent photo expedition in Mexico targeting sailfish, we came across a group of hungry whale sharks. This photo shows my good friend Paul, one gulp away from a horrible death. To be honest, he was perfectly safe. Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus)-- which can grow to over 50 feet in length and therefore qualify as the largest fish in the sea-- eat plankton (tiny plants and animals) and occasionally small schooling fish. We've photographed whale sharks all over the world, and they are one of the scuba diver's "must see" animals.

We had so much fun snorkeling with whale sharks we're thinking of doing a special whale shark photo trip in 2014. Let us know if you're interested in coming along!

 
Whale Shark, gulp feeding on sardine eggs from Brandon Cole MARINE PHOTOGRAPHY on Vimeo.