Breaching Shark Photo

On our ecocruz today we had a basking shark breaching off the north of Mull, 3-times!

The shark first of all breached in front of the boat, Sula Beag, and on the following two times beside us, in full view of all the passengers!

This is a very rare sight and actually one that we have never been able to successfully photograph, plenty of splashes before, but we have never caught the shark in mid flight!  

There is very little know as to why sharks breach, one theory is that is it part of sexual behaviour.  What is usually seen is the splash from where a shark was, but to have all the passengers onboard looking where the shark first breached, to then watch it less than 100 yards away launch itself out of the water was incredible!!

Thankfully Stu (brother, guide & cameraman) was on board for his first trip for a few years and after help from Duncan grabbing the film camera managed to get this shot, well done Stu!  Unfortunatly we didnt get any footage of this encounter, but are all very pleased with the photo!

Another great day, despite their being a bit of wind and rain....doesnt seem to bother the big beasties!  We also had a golden eagle, seals and some very full creels.

James

Skipper