Red Sea - Lots of juicy pics :-) at DVinfo.net

Mat Thompson · August 11th, 2008, 11:35 AM

Hey guys

Well I just thought I'd post some images from my weeks diving in the Red Sea (Marsa Alam). It was a fantastic experience and the turtles we saw were just such a treat. We did our first caves and saw some amazing reefs and were gobsmacked by the volume and variety of life on the reefs. As UK divers its certainly a big surprise when you jump into that 30 degree/25+ meter viz !

Trond Saetre · August 12th, 2008, 03:02 PM

Hi Mat,

Great pictures you have there. It must have been an awesome experience.
Thank you for sharing.

Brendan Marnell · August 13th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Beautiful images Mat, thank you.

Incidentally, were there any diving birds in the area; gannets, guillemots, puffins, fish-eagles, cormorants etc?

Mat Thompson · August 14th, 2008, 08:58 AM

Hey Brendan

Yes I saw a Osprey on 2 days I was there hunting along the reef. I spoke to a marine biologist about them and she said they are a smaller African species and take reef fish along the shores of the Red Sea. Also Cormorants if I remember rightly. Apparently later in the year there are certain places to see many African migrants coming through as the biologist was a bit of a birder too I think!

One night I also saw the biggest hawk moth I've ever seen. It was very pretty and the size of the palm of your hand!

Helen Habib · August 14th, 2008, 11:56 AM

Hello Mat, excellent photos. Must have been an awesome experience. Thanks for posting.

Meryem Ersoz · August 19th, 2008, 09:56 PM

Turtles are my very favorite sea creatures, looks as if you had some very close moments, I'm jealous....

Brendan Marnell · August 20th, 2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mat Thompson

.... I saw a Osprey on 2 days I was there hunting along the reef. I spoke to a marine biologist about them and she said they are a smaller African species and take reef fish along the shores of the Red Sea. Also Cormorants if I remember rightly. Apparently later in the year there are certain places to see many African migrants coming through as the biologist was a bit of a birder too I think!

One night I also saw the biggest hawk moth I've ever seen. It was very pretty and the size of the palm of your hand!

Forgive me for hogging this thread somewhat, Mat, but I always prefer personal experience to any travel guide ... for years I've wanted to visit & video bird migration in Red Sea area
and I would appreciate any comments on (1) convenient airport (2) car hire options (3) convenient modest accommo options and anything relevant you think of. If you have found a particular website or tour operator knows the answers that'll do fine ....

August 11th, 2008, 11:35 AM	#1
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Red Sea - Lots of juicy pics :-) Hey guys Well I just thought I'd post some images from my weeks diving in the Red Sea (Marsa Alam). It was a fantastic experience and the turtles we saw were just such a treat. We did our first caves and saw some amazing reefs and were gobsmacked by the volume and variety of life on the reefs. As UK divers its certainly a big surprise when you jump into that 30 degree/25+ meter viz ! Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Mat Thompson; August 11th, 2008 at 06:30 PM.

August 12th, 2008, 03:02 PM	#2
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Hi Mat, Great pictures you have there. It must have been an awesome experience. Thank you for sharing.

August 13th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#3
Brendan Marnell Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 938	Beautiful images Mat, thank you. Incidentally, were there any diving birds in the area; gannets, guillemots, puffins, fish-eagles, cormorants etc?

August 14th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#4
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Hey Brendan Yes I saw a Osprey on 2 days I was there hunting along the reef. I spoke to a marine biologist about them and she said they are a smaller African species and take reef fish along the shores of the Red Sea. Also Cormorants if I remember rightly. Apparently later in the year there are certain places to see many African migrants coming through as the biologist was a bit of a birder too I think! One night I also saw the biggest hawk moth I've ever seen. It was very pretty and the size of the palm of your hand!

August 14th, 2008, 11:56 AM	#5
Helen Habib Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173	Hello Mat, excellent photos. Must have been an awesome experience. Thanks for posting.

August 19th, 2008, 09:56 PM	#6
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	Turtles are my very favorite sea creatures, looks as if you had some very close moments, I'm jealous....