SLIDESHOW OF NEW MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHS

We've built a Flash slideshow of our new mangrove images.

Mangroves are that tangle of shrubbery at ocean's edge, lining tropical coastlines throughout much of the world. At first glance, the tangle may be one's only impression, but this often overlooked marine habitat is much more. Indeed, mangroves are vital for a healthy ocean and the people who live nearby. They act as natural breakwaters providing a buffer between coastal communities and wave-borne storms. Mangroves are home to a diverse throng of birds, fishes and invertebrates. They are critical nursery grounds to many commercially valuable seafood species.

But all is not well in this verdant ecosystem. Around the globe, mangroves are under attack and disappearing at an alarming rate. High-rise condos and sprawling oceanfront developments see mangroves as prime real estate. Garbage collects in the buttress-like roots of mangrove trees and pollutants seep into the sediments. Shrimp farms and other aquaculture enterprises all too often transform mangrove wildlife sanctuaries into ecological nightmares.

Pictures of man's impact on the mangrove habitat.

Photos of marine biologists conducting research on lemon sharks in the mangroves.

Brandon Cole Marine Photography imagery is born of the world's oceans–colorful and creative, dramatic and effective. A top specialist in his field, Cole brings you a comprehensive collection of whales, dolphins, sharks, fish and invertebrates, scuba divers and many other subjects above and beneath the waves. Knowledgeable staff delivers personal, professional service to editorial and advertising clients worldwide. Keyword searchable website.


e: brandoncole@msn.com
w: www.brandoncole.com
t: 509-535-3489

SHARKS PHOTO ESSAY IN OCEAN CONSERVANCY

We are quoted in an article entitled "Sharks: The New Fear Factor" appearing in Ocean Conservancy Magazine, Summer 2009 issue. Link to the article here . Six of our photographs of various shark species from around the world illustrate the printed article. We are passionate about marine conservation, and happy to partner with Ocean Conservancy in their efforts to raise awareness of the perils facing sharks today.

e: brandoncole@msn.com
w: http://www.brandoncole.com
t: 509-535-3489

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PUBLISHES GREAT WHITE SHARK PHOTO

We're pleased to announce that one of our Great White Shark underwater photos from Guadalupe Island Mexico has just been published in the National Geographic Magazine, August 2009 issue, as a double page spread in the Visions of Earth feature.

NEW BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN IMAGES

Fresh from last month's dolphin shoot in the Caribbean: stunning sunset shots, intimate portraits, dolphins at play, and underwater images. We've added the first batch of dramatic new bottlenose dolphin photos to our web site. More to come soon. This new coverage adds to our already comprehensive collection of marine mammal photography. Please contact us to discuss how we can help bring your next editorial project or advertising campaign to life.

e: brandoncole@msn.com
w: http://www.brandoncole.com/
t: 509-535-3489

NEW PAGE ON WEB SITE- "SELECTS"

We've created this new feature on our web site ( link ) to highlight some of our favorite photographs from over the years, and to give you a quick, easy look into the subject diversity of our photo library. We will update this page monthly, so check back regularly.

e: brandoncole@msn.com
w: www.brandoncole.com
t: 509-535-3489

NEW ZEALAND

I'm not sure why it's taken so long to dive Middle Earth. Whereas previous trips to this magical land saw me focusing on whales and dolphins, this time we did everything that we had not done before, including scuba exploration of the Poor Knights Islands. Which I'll sum up with "Great fun, bold color, interesting critters, refreshingly different underwater habitat." But that was only the start. With scuba gear still wet, we piled into a campervan and went on a rampage, north to south. Our list of topside adventures included caving in the Waitomo area, Maori culture and boiling mud pits in Rotorua, hiking up volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, clawing up and sliding down Franz Josef Glacier, kayaking in Milford Sound, cruising on Doubtful Sound, killing swarms of sand flies in Fiordland, marveling at tree-sized ferns in temperate rainforest, and much, much more. Honestly, I would say that there's most exciting outdoorsy stuff to do here, and more jaw-dropping scenery awaiting around every corner, than just about any place on earth. What a trip! Photos await: ( link )

ON A BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PHOTO SHOOT

I'm down in the Caribbean right now (on the island of Roatan off Honduras), focusing on Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). I've been fortunate to create some great new photos here of them jumping two and three at a time, both under blue skies and at sunset, as well as underwater portraits, etc. We will post a strong selection to our web site soon. If you need engaging imagery for commercial or editorial purposes, please let us know.

To see photos of these bottlenose dolphins from previous shoots, click here.