Roatan, Honduras
2017-2018

Jim Wheeler's observations on the West End for 2 weeks around Christmas & New Years
Feliz Navidad y Prospero Nuevo Aņo

Yellow Submarine RIDE * to 1500 feet

(my deepest previous dive had been to 138 feet at the Blue Hole - with scuba-gear)


Karl Stanley - designer / builder / * founder of Roatan Institute of Deepsea Exploration / Captain of the 'Idabel'

2 passengers are seated behind the acrylic dome while Captain Karl stands behind as he pilots the Deep-Submergence Vehicle

this is where Shelly and I sit

vertical thrusters

horizontal thrusters

Karl Stanley affixes a water-proof - and presssure-proof - lens on the Canon speedlight stobe
which is fired by Jim's Canon 5D hotshoe from inside the Idabel

here's a dive profile of the wall we descended to 1500 feet, and then ascended back to the surface

down below

dive... dive... [klaxon sounds here]

sunlight doesn't penetrate past 400 feet (photosynthesis stops at 300 feet) -- then Captain Karl kicks on the high-intensisty flood-lights

here's an Anglerfish at 1500 feet

notice that the Anglerfish has fins, but is 'walking' on the ocean floor with legs
Have you ever seen that Darwin bumper-sticker of a fish with four legs?
well, here it is! ...evolution, baby!


Bluntnose sixgill shark or cow shark in its natural habitit -- plastic water-bottle NOT in its natural habitat

Sadly, scuba gear cannot dive as deep as Idabel

Idabel surfaces, headed back to port

aah -- blue sky again

Captain Karl winches the Idabel above the waves

...and, safely back in port

now for some 'topside' fun

Shelly's new three-toed sloth friend

Toucan

Parrot

...and, Monkeys

Mangrove tour

New Years Eve in Punta Gorda

Special Thanks to Saaya Sorrells-Weatherford, owner Roatan Divers
the best in boutique style scuba diving on Roatan


Lodging The Beach House of Roatan
Thanks to Loani and Henry

Drop me a note, I'd love to hear from you... Jim Wheeler

Gear Credits:
Canon EOS 5D digital SLR camera body
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS L-glass lens
shot in Canon camera raw, at highest res of camera (13megapixel, 4368x2912), processed in PhotoShop CS4
ScubaPro Titanium MK 25T / S600T regulator
ScubaPro KnightHawk BCD-Air 2 inflator/2nd stage
uWatec (ScubaPro) Smart Tec Wrist computer

Here are some of my other 'observations'
Dives, Motorcycle Road Trips, and Rock'n'Roll shows

MO-KAN Moto Guzzi Club
Annual Rallys

2021 Rally
2019 Rally
2018 Rally
2017 Rally
2016 Rally
2013 Rally
2008 Rally


2013 HOAME Vintage Motorcycle Rally
2008 Kansas City Bike Show
2005 Sturgis Bike Week - 65th annual


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Dive Site Maps (download my Garmin MapSource file) [ MapSource software required, get it here ]
Jim's Dive Log of these 12 dives (download my uWatec dive computer file) [ ScubaPro SmartTrak software required,get it here ]