Florida's underwater caves...

One of the most relaxing things I get to do is explore and bring my camera into underwater cave systems. There is a zen-like feeling cave divers experience that is impossible to describe to those that do not engage in that activity. While there is an amazing beauty in these systems, the hazards are ever present of diving in underwater caves...and of course, the flooding of a housing is enough to bring a tear to your eye.

While I was having equipment issues in one of the systems (slave strobes weren't firing...no surprise there), here are a few pics from earlier this week in another system...

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and a couple more for today...

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You just set off my claustrophobia

sorry about that, grin...here is one from the same system just in a different part of of it...I took this to share with friends who think we have to strip down to our birthday suit to go through the passages...

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...and ten minutes earlier, this is what we had to go through to get to that open area in the previous image

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This is incredible. Glad I could experience it via your pictures rather than in person.

Very cool experience, and excellent lens choice.

Thanks for the comments...and the lens is excellent underwater! Here is one as we wrapped up our dive...

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Caves aren't my thing but the water clarity is amazing. I have spent time at Ginny Springs but not past where only certified cave divers are allowed. It was fun playing in the current at one spot.

Amazing pictures, thanks for sharing, because I will never have the courage to do this.

You are brave for doing caves. That is one thing I will never venture into. Cave diving is a whole different level of scuba.

Seaninsa,
Thank you for your comment. Cave diving isn't for most divers. Those that do engage in it invest a considerable amount of time and resources to hone specific skills that keep them and their team safe. As a Great Lakes shipwreck diver, I had zero interest in cave diving...until my first dive in one during my class. Truly a Zen moment for me. Now we spend our time creating various photographs to share with those not able to enjoy this part of natures beauty.

Yes cave diving is a special type of diving. I am to claustrophobic for that type of diving. Glad to see you have lines and other safety gear. I am glad you enjoy it .

Yep, agree with all the others. Enjoyed seeing the pics but just looking at them sends shivers down my spine.

Love those 50/50 in and out of water pics as well. The best representation of the two different world's.

Just out of interest what do people think is the best way of taking a decent quality in/out water pic? Slr housing or something like a go pro?

Thanks Monkey Moss... best over/under shot requires a wide angle and large dome (8" or larger). I suppose you could capture something with a gopro...just never tried it.
While this isn't a cave, it might be of interest to some... this is where we spend our time in the summer months...on the bottom of the Great Lakes exploring time capsules of a by-gone era.

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