(Sorry for the delay in posting. I meant to post this photo a while ago but it took a while to get back home and it slipped my mind).

I first learned about Cocos Island a few months ago while reading a magazine. Coincidentally, I was introduced to a documentary shortly after that about this unique place.

Cocos Island can be reached only by boat with the easiest path being the 36 hour trip from Costa Rica. It is the largest uninhabited island in the World. Formed by volcanic activity, there are a series of underwater pinnacles that jut up hundreds of feet from the ocean bottom.

The waters off of Cocos Island are home to a huge concentration of Hammerheads as well as other sharks. These creatures captured my imagination and I became obsessed with observing (and photographing) them up close.

It became obvious very quickly that they were masters of their domain…they were fast and agile, moving effortlessly through the water. I was a clunkering mess dragging my underwater camera rig along with SCUBA gear. Allow me to paraphrase some wise words that I recently read…

Sharks and humans have reached the top of their respective food chains. In the ocean, it was clear that I was no longer dining in MY restaurant.

The mantra to which I meditated the entire trip was “My camera is NOT a force field".

I did go to the Legal Seafood Restaurant down the street today and ordered the tuna. I now feel back in control.