Where is the Mother of Mermaids?

Some of you may be wondering where the mother of the mermaids was in the last post. She was, of course, training more young mermaids to do their thing in the water.
Above the surface a lovely mermaid tune is going on. The real art of the teacher is seen under the waves.

Mermaid Photoshoot 1

Mermaids move FAST in the water and are difficult to capture to pixels. I caught this one to bits as it shot by me in the briny depths. Those familiar with the Mermaid Identification and Tracking Program may recognize this as Whitney, sometimes known as, "Thing Two", in honor of Dr. Seuss.

Just when I was ready to give up, the playful Diana Mermaid settled gently to the bottom next to me and allowed this stunning picture.

It was not long after the earlier shot that my camera mysteriously disappeared, when I later recovered it, there was this surprising picture of me!

Underwater Photography

It CAME!! The water tight box for our camera has come and we have followed the mermaids into the depths and photographed them in their native habitat. I almost drowned in the process, but it was worth it.

I am amazed that they managed to get all the functionality of the camera translated through this case. Truly, the only things one can not do under water are change the battery or the memory.

There is even a pair of rollers to push the flash door closed while under water. Being a techno-geek who recently learned to swim, I almost drown trying to operate the camera and myself under water at the same time. I think a weight belt and a snorkel would help with the camera use a lot. Even though there is a weight on the camera that gives it near neutral buoyancy, every time I tried to turn the camera in a new direction it would change my orientation in the water. I am not sure Linda, who floats, could use the camera at all.

Enough of the geek post. Now I'll get on to the pictures we took of the mermaids.

Update: Swimming with Dolphins

Hey all,

Exciting new developments and more pictures to come soon. I have not posted in a while because our digital camera suffered a critical failure. Now we have purchased a new camera... and an underwater housing for it which came in the post yesterday!!

Linda has take on the job of Head Coach of the local Philomath Dolphins Swim Team and will soon be on their summer 5 day a week workout schedule. Diana and Whitney are on the team though I am unsure whether the younger kids do the 5 day a week workout or not.

For my part in this scheme, I have been working toward my, "Stroke and Turn", judges certification from USA Swimming. I have 3 more hours of training to go and the final test, then I will be able to take to the deck as a official. This should help me keep busy during meets, and its the best seat in the house.

I'll be testing out the camera tonight in the pool if all goes well, so expect a new posting soon.

All the best.