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(C)Megan Greenlee Photography
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Have you ever tried scuba diving?
Well for those that have, I was just reminded of a photo memory of diving under the sea with a camera. The Great Barrier Reef is a special place on this planet and I am grateful for the experience I once had there. I hope we continue to take care of that part of the world for those that have the opportunity to see it and all exist here together on this planet so this magnificent place may still breath.
Anyway, I recall going on a specific dive called a "reef current" dive. Experienced divers had informed me to try to “let go” on this specific type of dive and experience the current and beauty and calm of the sea from down below. I thought it might be a good idea to bring an "underwater" camera. Pretty distracting at times, but also quite powerful with what I am trying to share.
So the dive began and I submerged under water and was lead by the leader of our group to the beginning of the current area through the reef’s underwater tunnel. I had no idea that once one was inside a reef dive you literally get pushed along with the current. For some reason, I think I may have been the last of the divers to go and I was all alone. I was being conscious, or perhaps neurotic, about my breathing as I was not an experienced diver with that type of dive, or diving in dark seas in general. All sorts of fish and pretty distractions kept whizzing by as I shot down that underwater tunnel. Beauty speeding by so fast, similar to the stories revealed to me by brides and grooms about their wedding day pace reflections--deep in the bliss and faster beyond their control submerged inside the sea of friends and family.
However, on this specific dive I actually encountered my first school of sharks I had ever seen diving. These creatures… they fascinated me. My first instinct was intrigue. But, my brain said to me, “I think you are supposed to be scared.” Yet my instincts showed me not to show fear. So, I pulled out my dinky underwater camera, looked directly into the eyes of one of the sharks (while maintaining my distance), and flashed a quick picture! The current then picked-up and I glided along next to these creatures just trying to go with the flow. We were all forced by nature’s push down that underwater tunnel and I had no other choice but to surrender. This dive was beyond my control. I noticed we were all floating together--a blur of submerged tranquil noise whizzing down that tunnel. The pretty fish, colorful corals, and those sharks all together--pretty peacefully, actually. And, for some reason beyond my control, I made it out of the reef current first. I thought, “did I just see what I think I just saw?” Puzzled, I looked around and noticed that those sharks were now nowhere to be seen. I emerged above that sea and swam back to our ship at sea. I got back onto that boat and said to my fellow divers, “that was an amazing dive!” Those reef current dives… they really just take you down their own path, don’t they?
Recently, I found that roll of film from that dive. It was pretty blurry. But, my memory of that current and its creatures remains vivid. Funny creatures, those sharks... to out swim.
