tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77907436380333019662024-02-19T02:49:25.613-08:00Rogue StudiosDedicated to protecting and documenting our planet. Any place any time.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-44962992181371460842010-01-22T18:36:00.000-08:002010-01-22T18:51:35.191-08:00Random Photos from '09These are a collection of some of the pictures I have taken during the last year that convey art, travel, and the experience of life.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOCVgJKMdqkknbltZfcv1ibqYmTFqoq4xzNUvdjKcRiTICfNyrL333xuS0p2HtOy27gcq9cKDxM33EmYN6ZMmCpW1PyVPe0IRy9t_NMLTcGpulshySXep_BfdjO6JmqilJhzqYsgmXag/s1600-h/Christ1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOCVgJKMdqkknbltZfcv1ibqYmTFqoq4xzNUvdjKcRiTICfNyrL333xuS0p2HtOy27gcq9cKDxM33EmYN6ZMmCpW1PyVPe0IRy9t_NMLTcGpulshySXep_BfdjO6JmqilJhzqYsgmXag/s400/Christ1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429761521873296402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYH9vRAs4rcs-bGIgEGwnqCRcEjm7qoX8ILeadq03Su5k2qcmGAoFgeyMNr0THhYwWbRqtLRpriLelHmpSE7IBB5zJCCIxGOzJOLrWB5lsowD0vEkijSY4SFc8fSC5tfHkt3nZL_qYqs/s1600-h/IMG_7354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYH9vRAs4rcs-bGIgEGwnqCRcEjm7qoX8ILeadq03Su5k2qcmGAoFgeyMNr0THhYwWbRqtLRpriLelHmpSE7IBB5zJCCIxGOzJOLrWB5lsowD0vEkijSY4SFc8fSC5tfHkt3nZL_qYqs/s400/IMG_7354.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429761514244882066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxGeOopxmHZyaZkPFaqoT3I8uYjlqpriSA62Q7QA3T7wUP8zcLuIZAsD7w7urr2KPM79xnlAMVUU55LOZ_bM3z2idoXtdfvCKP7PMCIlsn1ruxQFyQcUs1aq6AriNrVDwImt-5KYizyI/s1600-h/IMG_4404.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxGeOopxmHZyaZkPFaqoT3I8uYjlqpriSA62Q7QA3T7wUP8zcLuIZAsD7w7urr2KPM79xnlAMVUU55LOZ_bM3z2idoXtdfvCKP7PMCIlsn1ruxQFyQcUs1aq6AriNrVDwImt-5KYizyI/s400/IMG_4404.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429761508818771602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXiCOLdtA3MbLDcnMzHmwWuHuYogaX6EkuYu_gdDbOLfbxciPJT1QRgeENmrsmhz4XFKZg266t66nMQvowkMuJCn248ME_KP_bKZzMM3WvvsRvuVPqOQHt4gkjkRd9xbY5AIQzflYm_4/s1600-h/Ferry+Man.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXiCOLdtA3MbLDcnMzHmwWuHuYogaX6EkuYu_gdDbOLfbxciPJT1QRgeENmrsmhz4XFKZg266t66nMQvowkMuJCn248ME_KP_bKZzMM3WvvsRvuVPqOQHt4gkjkRd9xbY5AIQzflYm_4/s400/Ferry+Man.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429761499083732114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS6E2uw3wgRsBRj5xgND4j2b237wXWKwx_Tf9LTvfiKY4wYruvamkbgk3ky2L3W9q5sy0SLkBRejb320bCkDKnSELUoeRfMPCbrwg7sa_SXYq8bRnLRwy4jfxeJqT41ylgzj4ikBN_bo/s1600-h/IMG_6171.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS6E2uw3wgRsBRj5xgND4j2b237wXWKwx_Tf9LTvfiKY4wYruvamkbgk3ky2L3W9q5sy0SLkBRejb320bCkDKnSELUoeRfMPCbrwg7sa_SXYq8bRnLRwy4jfxeJqT41ylgzj4ikBN_bo/s400/IMG_6171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429761489672990210" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-68159252179352786332010-01-22T15:45:00.000-08:002010-01-22T16:15:45.024-08:00South Pacific Tripp'inIts been a Long Long time since my last Blog entry. There are a lot of reasons for that. Some of the excuses revolve around the fact that I have been dealing with a brain tumor, but don't worry because it is now 70 percent gone and dead. It should be dead within 4 months. The other excuses are varied; Ive lived in about 4 different countries across the South Pacific during the last 8 months, experienced a tsunami of horrific proportions, been working too much, and taking pictures so that I have something good to post here when I finally do post........ Here are a few pictures to start again and show what Ive been up to.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uj4VpaR9HvI5fHlX6R1Lxfb85OYeRam196dAJp9B8AFDjsMLiXwoGXdCCIWS5egafquUE4D6nViYc7bmLUPb8zGkjhDvJuHDhlrYZAuUYLX5Zagy6b7UyM6RRxTt3uiEmo3yloCAeEw/s1600-h/IMG_1773.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uj4VpaR9HvI5fHlX6R1Lxfb85OYeRam196dAJp9B8AFDjsMLiXwoGXdCCIWS5egafquUE4D6nViYc7bmLUPb8zGkjhDvJuHDhlrYZAuUYLX5Zagy6b7UyM6RRxTt3uiEmo3yloCAeEw/s400/IMG_1773.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429721314527159442" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaK4Nswwp1CO88Se2SwN5GHPhpNufAD9dnYg_70PlDYINFr0hLs0CPxDoJNpxBatKzbbt-wwoDXIl-XFYO6-HMGqcFwSBZRclHw702Lx24Bor_Y71a5N022UlxbT4z6g5ihyphenhyphenisIKjozM/s1600-h/IMG_3570.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaK4Nswwp1CO88Se2SwN5GHPhpNufAD9dnYg_70PlDYINFr0hLs0CPxDoJNpxBatKzbbt-wwoDXIl-XFYO6-HMGqcFwSBZRclHw702Lx24Bor_Y71a5N022UlxbT4z6g5ihyphenhyphenisIKjozM/s400/IMG_3570.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429721348829250402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLOu1as-2elcsdrfjvpWX6yu9h18lMYe8iWvMaPyIm55FLfpDTmQiiaIFpxxkar4_siWrgr4uIe76GWA2mZaNPo2rKbsOdRQQHO1kIzkir3y3PF0F6PpV2Tb_jHezaZCbPrTSF1yOiyc/s1600-h/IMG_7008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLOu1as-2elcsdrfjvpWX6yu9h18lMYe8iWvMaPyIm55FLfpDTmQiiaIFpxxkar4_siWrgr4uIe76GWA2mZaNPo2rKbsOdRQQHO1kIzkir3y3PF0F6PpV2Tb_jHezaZCbPrTSF1yOiyc/s400/IMG_7008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429721329782336210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABEV1795OitOO2MeQlfmYRsUMHE5PfI1yGqa2pfwwJCyUjY8fEtoFOW1iypSevvuP2w_cZ_iiZJAi3RrauVWagLKoCk3Xr-_d1dEL9aOMMGmtZDUhQpH5qXIoqOVvWbg2YxJLRBj9SWk/s1600-h/IMG_6328.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABEV1795OitOO2MeQlfmYRsUMHE5PfI1yGqa2pfwwJCyUjY8fEtoFOW1iypSevvuP2w_cZ_iiZJAi3RrauVWagLKoCk3Xr-_d1dEL9aOMMGmtZDUhQpH5qXIoqOVvWbg2YxJLRBj9SWk/s400/IMG_6328.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429721323491510578" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-40683507128478928252009-03-27T09:59:00.000-07:002009-03-27T10:08:48.799-07:00StuisbaaiHere are some recent pictures from around the Southern most point in Africa. We are staying in Struisbaai and going to sea anywhere from half a mile to 25 miles to find fish and visability. These include spearfishing, chumming for sharks, the local shipwreck (one of hundreds) and a shameless self portrat.Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm-xrGDo99iDVLAOAV1jj44WhJCS7wuEw4QW4e8TJomq10qZ0Nu0Ieb9fipKMWp76i0dhUl24m8m4whEaaQpJ7VBS_Ln8pcxgCuYd_U4jx3LqFvz2Fj4CANAh1ocUJ4lGHhHkBKfaTq8/s1600-h/IMG_7854.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm-xrGDo99iDVLAOAV1jj44WhJCS7wuEw4QW4e8TJomq10qZ0Nu0Ieb9fipKMWp76i0dhUl24m8m4whEaaQpJ7VBS_Ln8pcxgCuYd_U4jx3LqFvz2Fj4CANAh1ocUJ4lGHhHkBKfaTq8/s400/IMG_7854.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317915057077925042" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnaftiJYQlfDW8yZ-83dHuF9zPoa35CgcnNUYB5cp5hhRcXu5WkjMtKF8VlvwpclRK8ZW4QttkeBUT0Vb6lBkAl4d2KtiyHdIL5t6D0MG2R9K-FKQJ2AF4Ya6dxL7K7z5GxuEpdSFCjc/s1600-h/IMG_7818.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnaftiJYQlfDW8yZ-83dHuF9zPoa35CgcnNUYB5cp5hhRcXu5WkjMtKF8VlvwpclRK8ZW4QttkeBUT0Vb6lBkAl4d2KtiyHdIL5t6D0MG2R9K-FKQJ2AF4Ya6dxL7K7z5GxuEpdSFCjc/s400/IMG_7818.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317915051194570786" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcUTQamHoSy-MMbunheRqQczKn0H4B-2xmQI45FzRyEkU9Z_McixfovG-grCytQi2I11ankhBGpELCfjLqcG1MmiaQKeN_JuwdOtYfQbsW-fDsf1MhYTte8yISyVN-GDoG0G5YTUqdCM/s1600-h/IMG_7608.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcUTQamHoSy-MMbunheRqQczKn0H4B-2xmQI45FzRyEkU9Z_McixfovG-grCytQi2I11ankhBGpELCfjLqcG1MmiaQKeN_JuwdOtYfQbsW-fDsf1MhYTte8yISyVN-GDoG0G5YTUqdCM/s400/IMG_7608.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317915054161939666" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaT_wF_9gG-qL1W4yJzyZIOLEYy8StEyQllaQAmZAzF614DtkiILME_KR1U1LQA9iTcUsznpkUaRwDxkLW8Xf-Kqeizy5yMWcb_99flCqWzF8Vic9RylgryaatmvltgyIucuwEH8wlqA/s1600-h/IMG_7631.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaT_wF_9gG-qL1W4yJzyZIOLEYy8StEyQllaQAmZAzF614DtkiILME_KR1U1LQA9iTcUsznpkUaRwDxkLW8Xf-Kqeizy5yMWcb_99flCqWzF8Vic9RylgryaatmvltgyIucuwEH8wlqA/s400/IMG_7631.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317915045997929026" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-20316439483878744102009-03-27T01:19:00.000-07:002010-01-22T16:21:27.552-08:00Hiding Great Whites<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf0HqktKMJ5KbUFVvEdtt5sJRLbuAQGYRHG3PUymLbsbhSlvTfVdum0A8X3cPuu1eFtm0NRshZHJ6KG3c2_5o42JbSb_2QY9XMsSCqivaOFsycKFroc6nyRqTM3p4GyXDV-Zpwv71A4E/s1600-h/Tigersneak.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf0HqktKMJ5KbUFVvEdtt5sJRLbuAQGYRHG3PUymLbsbhSlvTfVdum0A8X3cPuu1eFtm0NRshZHJ6KG3c2_5o42JbSb_2QY9XMsSCqivaOFsycKFroc6nyRqTM3p4GyXDV-Zpwv71A4E/s400/Tigersneak.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429723230880789042" /></a><br />So we are sitting around waiting for the Visibility still. It needs to get to be at least 20ft/6m before we can properly film great whites. Almost dove yesterday, but I called it off since I free dove down first and the bottom was about 4 ft visibility. The top was good, but the bottom bad...... Perfect for a White to hide in. Been talking with this guy Andre Hartman http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Hartman who is the original expert in White Sharks. He asked me right away if I like snakes and then pulled one out of his pocket and put it on me......... yea it was venomous. Just a little tree snake though, he would have to naw on my earlobe for a while to get me. Andre is a character for sure. I may be here another week, not sure. Today the wind has shifted in our favor to bring in the cleaner water closer to shore, so we wait, and wait.... In the mean time we have also been able to do a few dives with Tiger's, thus this screen shot.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-91819732634193388402009-03-12T06:19:00.000-07:002009-03-12T06:26:52.208-07:00VakaVaka is the name given to the traditional craft used by the ancient Polynesians to cross the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. It is the type of craft I will be aboard when I join an expedition in June to sail from Southern Polynesia all the way to Hawaii. Primitive yes, but quite capable. What makes the journey more interesting is that there will be no compass or GPS on board. Just like the boat, the navigation will be traditional. Granted we do not know all the secrets the ancient Polynesians used to sail the ocean, but we have a few people who know a lot still, and have helped pass on their knowledge. One of these will be a team member. <br />I have a lot to learn. That is what is exciting about this project though. It is about preparation, dedication, and a mission. The mission is not just to arrive safe. It is to bring awareness to the plight that whales are facing in our seas and oceans. So, along the way we are searching for them, trying to make contact in an ancient way. Below is a picture of a single hulled Vaka. We will building a double hulled Vaka, roughly 60 ft long. A truly ocean going vessel. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29XcJ_TQzwjQwvPAgaKdVcJjkF1jr25wz3Skcg62X4e4vjvjnJzCu9DNszLq2Butpd09aGKWWm1PVkjWSDEhzqDQpdYqv9W557t9BainEKcJFJlRbwiaJW86KU_yuyM3o3CveahXnxVM/s1600-h/canoe-vaka-poti.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29XcJ_TQzwjQwvPAgaKdVcJjkF1jr25wz3Skcg62X4e4vjvjnJzCu9DNszLq2Butpd09aGKWWm1PVkjWSDEhzqDQpdYqv9W557t9BainEKcJFJlRbwiaJW86KU_yuyM3o3CveahXnxVM/s400/canoe-vaka-poti.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312292009593421858" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-38510815037009652782009-03-12T06:05:00.001-07:002009-03-12T06:14:11.581-07:00West Coast trippingHere are a few pictures from a camping trip up the West Coast of South Africa. It is an amazingly beautiful place. Barren, yet very alive. Warm, yet the water is freezing. It is Africa after all, the place of extremes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihteyL8tU8ubam-e-8vLLnj3NNZgW73sUr16tg_z8kPkPtmoKewSe1ikc-l3hlFK5cImgnlOZFlU9pjujyQxkHUpIMpbPPUnmLpOkv9JhU1E5gZvtG3WAJ7X3ByXbDAZIhVLMI4CpNGrc/s1600-h/IMG_7000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihteyL8tU8ubam-e-8vLLnj3NNZgW73sUr16tg_z8kPkPtmoKewSe1ikc-l3hlFK5cImgnlOZFlU9pjujyQxkHUpIMpbPPUnmLpOkv9JhU1E5gZvtG3WAJ7X3ByXbDAZIhVLMI4CpNGrc/s400/IMG_7000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312288350138396754" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvqZuh3838Guvr9_hmR6ABjezIRIMZ1JgQHykFayxuG4BRswfSk7fWn_vAIitax9MbmhSEplYkfzDtlCC2NNx1ItR2uSvb-8aQkYUWERt-HvB-aAynlFZ_FxfP6fGc-HbZ0bbTBeP7Hg/s1600-h/Jessesunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvqZuh3838Guvr9_hmR6ABjezIRIMZ1JgQHykFayxuG4BRswfSk7fWn_vAIitax9MbmhSEplYkfzDtlCC2NNx1ItR2uSvb-8aQkYUWERt-HvB-aAynlFZ_FxfP6fGc-HbZ0bbTBeP7Hg/s400/Jessesunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312288345327994178" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6DbpxjvoF6481z8gVzM0WL2_dRsVrtEWb46TBTt52oWe9czy70LAkWuysFabzuOvFEfWPtPVkRchUL5i6mm1_TKglzjgGWDCVbuTUAA0nJMu1pcLZfObs2usA6dF9DtA3SxtmoGXT7g/s1600-h/IMG_6915.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6DbpxjvoF6481z8gVzM0WL2_dRsVrtEWb46TBTt52oWe9czy70LAkWuysFabzuOvFEfWPtPVkRchUL5i6mm1_TKglzjgGWDCVbuTUAA0nJMu1pcLZfObs2usA6dF9DtA3SxtmoGXT7g/s400/IMG_6915.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312288341528136866" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnnSES-0N14JBTJnJau1EjNTQBf7kJEbRHFV8OuhueF-GB3NQ-EJBo9mxVTCyFkIRgndu8jTcQG0BebE8w30kmEVGFcgNMdf95JKAv5BkBczCGudHH0YdWn3Z2zIEeM7ZGQRFusOM9tE/s1600-h/IMG_6787.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnnSES-0N14JBTJnJau1EjNTQBf7kJEbRHFV8OuhueF-GB3NQ-EJBo9mxVTCyFkIRgndu8jTcQG0BebE8w30kmEVGFcgNMdf95JKAv5BkBczCGudHH0YdWn3Z2zIEeM7ZGQRFusOM9tE/s400/IMG_6787.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312288340002018002" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-69428029114699745382009-03-09T06:03:00.000-07:002009-03-09T06:23:17.965-07:00Costa Rican blissLast week I was sitting in a hammock looking out to sea at a pod of whales basking in the sun. As perfectly blissful as it may sound, it was not an unordinary experience there. It was one that was appreciated greatly though, as the past six months have been chock full of American highways, noise, and surrealism. Not that the setting in Costa Rica wasn’t surreal, it was just nice to back in a place where nature has a chance to be seen on a daily basis, firsthand.<br /> The main goal this trip was to try and film some tuna. The success of the story Rogue Studios has been trying to tell rests upon a few precious images which are all but impossible to describe effectively with words. Hundreds of dolphin, and hundreds of tuna. Thats the idea. To get these shots a lot of time has to be spent at sea searching for the tell tale signs of spinner dolphin. Many days have to be spent in seeming futility in order to get lucky. By spending more time, your chances would appear to get better, although it doesn’t always feel like it. <br /> We found dolphin this trip, but no tuna. We even found millions of jellyfish, or they found us to be more precise. Along the way there were turtles, sailfish, mobular rays, and manta rays. One even slowed down enough to let me get a short ride. My camera didn’t get to see any tuna this trip, but there was a lot of other things to see for sure that made up for it. <br /> I just got an email from one of the guys on the boat Kingfisher who I was with. The day after I left, the tuna showed up. Oh well. At least I know they are there. Maybe in May I will be back. I just landed in South Africa. I will be here the next couple weeks and “work” will involve a lot of diving. There should be a lot of sharks too. The big kind that South Africa is famous for. Hopefully they will be kind enough to allow filming from outside a cage. Full open water diving with great whites. This will be good.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-7338238438120840242009-01-21T10:59:00.000-08:002009-01-21T12:07:07.213-08:00Brazil<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh07EMzt0RQ4mKQelIHWYRrA_qun1et7_sVrHCvc4Y8JAbRZBCIQVVvmUMEAeadcDpObDkFmkeiQZUFnhxN18Y2DGkO0b-WoHcKzvgNlM08YaBS0ftU6BdR-V1PwNxPydUr8lyO4DpyLw/s1600-h/IMG_3208.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh07EMzt0RQ4mKQelIHWYRrA_qun1et7_sVrHCvc4Y8JAbRZBCIQVVvmUMEAeadcDpObDkFmkeiQZUFnhxN18Y2DGkO0b-WoHcKzvgNlM08YaBS0ftU6BdR-V1PwNxPydUr8lyO4DpyLw/s400/IMG_3208.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293840693778560770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KiQWQhL83KP_M0sGWTgQ0j9P_6lWQTWmOM295FPXZX3FqOIx4q3SZyuylRkZAQzOfvSdV_5N3Y-OW2WZ2VpoQUgzPXrEso1_xnKbbKGS2WIbduorO7i4D-frIUUpyHC_YZsObIP_gCs/s1600-h/IMG_3166.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KiQWQhL83KP_M0sGWTgQ0j9P_6lWQTWmOM295FPXZX3FqOIx4q3SZyuylRkZAQzOfvSdV_5N3Y-OW2WZ2VpoQUgzPXrEso1_xnKbbKGS2WIbduorO7i4D-frIUUpyHC_YZsObIP_gCs/s400/IMG_3166.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293840516464023314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdk81kzm-dYT7zZuO04Kc4oyeQIcpCdnpzwWx9Iyou7eJalsBUWHXQuczgtd8NP5oCiQurQCIfFcGNIuNuEBQVe_F-OK5kJsTVwbhCMM3-6pnpkSfbLXu3xuy8HXtElRoUB4ghEMtotA/s1600-h/Christ2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdk81kzm-dYT7zZuO04Kc4oyeQIcpCdnpzwWx9Iyou7eJalsBUWHXQuczgtd8NP5oCiQurQCIfFcGNIuNuEBQVe_F-OK5kJsTVwbhCMM3-6pnpkSfbLXu3xuy8HXtElRoUB4ghEMtotA/s400/Christ2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293827310419171778" /></a><br />Brazil is a place I have always wanted to travel to. Two weeks ago i got the chance. I have heard about it all my life since my parents lived there for 4 years. Seeing the places they described was really a great experience, as my created images gave way to reality. I ate fancy food, and beans and rice. I survived half a trip to jail, when the cops decided to let us go suddenly, probably when they realized they weren't getting a bribe. I was on a couple $100G a day movie sets. <br />Most impressive to me was Rio. It is a place of extremes. The Favelas,or ghettos provide a visual and sensory overload that my mind still has yet to comprehend fully. The first one I saw was at night and it seem to explode up from the famous Copacabanna, contrasting ultra wealth, with ultra poverty. My trip to Brazil was work inspired, and we were filming around Rio for several days. A early morning flight over Rio provided some amazing images. The only drawback to the flight was that we couldn't fly too close to the Favalas, because you <span style="font-style:italic;">will</span> get shot at.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-54603525283877855822008-12-28T11:14:00.000-08:002008-12-28T11:32:04.717-08:00Whales vs. Navy II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lajuCIJUzjKdW-JayoT52hrl6dYrYssorFiQyWFQms01Jxbe-dlG6VLjEQ9geiK3ZJv-ugWQZgCCZ4q1pWoR9bJRgGYrxInp6i4MA5nGWwFJJei_0tfkA27PO2CvgCAgg_a237wL6EE/s1600-h/Dolphin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lajuCIJUzjKdW-JayoT52hrl6dYrYssorFiQyWFQms01Jxbe-dlG6VLjEQ9geiK3ZJv-ugWQZgCCZ4q1pWoR9bJRgGYrxInp6i4MA5nGWwFJJei_0tfkA27PO2CvgCAgg_a237wL6EE/s400/Dolphin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284923788173377906" /></a><br />The ruling in favor of the Navy a month ago is still being fought. As with many issues, this is a complicated one, but only if we need submarines and ships to attack and defend ourselves instead of explore and fish. This is not going to change any time soon, but at least the problem is still being studied. I know quite a few people who are fighting this at the front lines, doing all they can to help the whales. They are fighting an honorable cause with implications much greater than most people see. Here are a few key excerpts from an article on the latest developments. Picture by Ben Horton<br /><br />"The Navy has settled a lawsuit filed by environmentalists challenging its use of sonar in hundreds of submarine-hunting exercises around the world.<br />The Navy said Saturday the deal reached with the Natural Resources Defense Council and other groups requires it to continue to research how sonar affects whales and other marine mammals.<br />The Navy uses mid-frequency active sonar to send sound pulses through the water. Sailors listen for what objects the sound bounces off of to identify if enemy submarines are lurking nearby.<br />This technology is different from passive sonar, which sailors use to listen for the sounds enemy submarines emit themselves.<br />But scientists aren't sure why sonar affects some species more than others. They also don't fully know how it hurts whales.<br />Other plaintiffs were: International Fund for Animal Welfare, Cetacean Society International, League for Coastal Protection, Ocean Futures Society and Jean-Michel Cousteau. "<br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iqOJWTExfbWsZ4xPBBB0UD4ISTjgD95BHHRO0">By AUDREY McAVOY </a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-6893216222692013982008-12-23T10:58:00.000-08:002008-12-28T11:30:04.440-08:00Cocos takes a Hit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOv7G4BCSNsmRa-yBy93yvGY2SFuZxh22fmIebM539oAKtApYKaC6HNgIq1h58i5RIHKgAa61WRzwNfd2efvNgJSBjeb4D5ilvBFujUMVJeglgyf_YurayG-_F4KvZAX1ikMst3Y9GZc/s1600-h/ChattamSwirl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOv7G4BCSNsmRa-yBy93yvGY2SFuZxh22fmIebM539oAKtApYKaC6HNgIq1h58i5RIHKgAa61WRzwNfd2efvNgJSBjeb4D5ilvBFujUMVJeglgyf_YurayG-_F4KvZAX1ikMst3Y9GZc/s400/ChattamSwirl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283068272464678114" /></a><br />Cocos Island, Costa Rica is one of the worlds most beautiful islands. I'm not just saying that because I agree, but it has been stated by the likes of Jacques Cousteau as well. Efforts to help keep the island beautiful and a refuge for the animals that live there, are constant, ongoing, and frustrating at times. I have been able in the past few years to observe, and then take part in these efforts alongside several people who are pioneers in this fight for the environment. One such man is Kifah Sansa, a Costa Rican who has worked closely with the UN and the french Fund for the Environment to help preserve Cocos's beauty. Unfortunately Kifah Sasa's contract (FFE UNDP)with the Costa Rican Government has been revoked. <br />This honestly comes as no surprise. Kifah has worked hard and pushed the Government to enact preexisting laws. The Costa Rican Government is not one to enact justice though, especially when it comes to the sea. The fishing industry in C.R. is much too important. There are hundreds of documented cases of fishing boats illegally fishing in Costa Rican waters, and only a hand full have ever gotten anything more than a warning, even gross repeat offenders. I personally have filmed the Coast Guard firing warning shots across the bow of a fishing boat on Cocos Island, while the captain of the fishing vessel looks on with disdain, a cigarette burning low in the early morning light. The fishermen know the Government is on their side.<br />I don't know the exact reason Kifah has been "let go" but I can imagine. He jump started numerous plans to help the island recover from years of abuse, and has annoyed the wrong people. It is sad. Not really for me, or Kifah, who knew what his job entailed, but for the island itself. The hundreds of thousands of sharks, millions of fish, birds, and vegetation. They are the legacy that the U.N. has tried to help protect, but the best of intentions paved the way to hell too. I guarantee there are about 15 tuna fishing boats sitting just outside the parks boundaries right now. They are waiting for dark, when they will run with no lights, enter the park from the South, drop hundreds of miles of long line, and then head back out to the North side, and wait for the Southern current to bring them their lines. This is going on right now, every day, and they all know Kifah is gone.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-11125610059337239742008-12-06T17:06:00.000-08:002008-12-06T17:38:00.419-08:00Sweet JusticeHas anyone ever offended you while driving? Have you ever felt the emotions of "road rage" welling up inside, wishing that a higher power could inflict instant justice upon the offending party? This is a short clip of an experience I had. I had passed a car while driving in bad winter conditions, only to have the car begin to tailgate me, and then attempt to race. His driving was stupid and dangerous, as he would weave between cars and brake hard on the icy roads. I slowed down against the wishes of my male instincts, and tried to tell myself what a smart, wise, safe, and intelligent decision I had made. I felt anything but those. A wimp, scared, and very much a pansy is more like what I felt. Anyway a few minutes later I got my moment of sweet justice. <br />The driver was unhurt, although his female companion was freaking out in the passenger seat. She looked like a monkey trying to get out of a cage. I'm sure he slept alone that night. You can tell from the video the car barely took any impact, so I suppose I got sweet justice without anyone getting hurt ............ Volvo's are extremely safe cars.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxbdJ0UxKElBc1nURzcxyRrpkOI4ZgKIqmtQYd8cpqv9yHwcQeFK_iypOhpeF-jREujjYdMbqihFn7PSZhEjg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-62711483544798206012008-11-12T11:43:00.000-08:002008-11-12T12:05:38.723-08:00Whales vs. the NavyWhales have long been one of the iconic images of the environmental movement. Intelligent, beautiful, and huge. We have always liked to dominate bigger-than-us species, and we have continued to treat whales with this type of domination. We just don't do it for their blubber now. In recent year much has been done to help change our views. Research and documentation has come a long way. Unfortunately we just lost a major battle today. Another hallmark environmental action has been taken by the Bush Administration which will have huge impact on our seas. This time it is directly affecting whales. Non discriminatory action against them mind you. All whales, big and small. We know that sonar and other loud noises in the water affect whales ability to "see" underwater. The supreme court doesn't see it that way though. <br /> Anyone who has ever head a loud impact or noise underwater effect. An anti terrorist tactic used in the middle east by the Israeli army detonates explosives randomly in harbors, where enemy divers might be approaching. These explosions produce a impact with sound and cavitation that can kill. Sonar is deadly to whales. In the deep dark areas where they hunt for food, they rely on sound to guide them. Their deep dives are as technical as when a human does a deep decompression dive, requiring decompression stops. They don't just go up and down all day. An article reporting the supreme courts decision can be found here at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/12/navy.sonar.whales.ap/index.html?eref=rss_latest">CNN</a>. My friend Dieter Paulmann's organization is one of the leaders in the fight to help protect whales. The <a href="http://www.okeanos-stiftung.org/okeanos/foundation.php?lang=en">Okeanos</a> Institute has a wealth of information and images.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-70743424340159555362008-11-12T11:40:00.000-08:002008-11-12T12:06:28.783-08:00Cell Phone SocietiesThroughout history technology has caused massive changes in the way society interacts. Some of these were subtle, others more drastic. The earliest changes may have been as simple as improved transportation methods allowing cultures and languages to interbreed. The steam engine and how it was applied to ships and trains is an excellent example of this. In our modern era we seem to be bombarded with new technologies on a regular basis, and our society seems to change just as quickly in response. <br /> According to the recent voter polling statistics someone age 28 is still considered a younger generation member. This generation can still remember quite vividly the time when there was no internet. When Pagers became commonly available, and then cell phones took over the world. When we look at how these technologies affect our every day lives, it is amazing to think of how we possibly could have survived without them just a few short years ago. Anyone who checks their email in the morning prior to drinking coffee or brushing their teeth, is a testament to this. The profound implications of these actions can be seen throughout societies now all over the world. It seems that some of the fundamental aspects in the way we communicate are changing. No longer do we need to know friends or families schedules, because they can be reached anywhere anytime via cell phone. The amount of phone numbers we remember in our head, has also been reduced because the cell phone will remember for you.<br /> Cell phones are the ultimate example of technologies impact on society. The cell phone went from being waved around in rap videos in the early nineties as a symbol of wealth and fashion, to a personal accessory now available individually to each member of families living below the poverty line. And not only in developed countries. When you see an 8 year old girl in Costa Rica toting a cell phone “so I can talk to my friends”, you know something is amiss. Especially when her home still has dirt floors and only recently upgraded the palm thatch roof to tin. What is so necessary about a personal cell phone to an 8 year old? There have always been symbols of wealth and social stature that trickle down through the classes as these objects become more available. Fabrics in past centuries, cars and televisions last century, and now cell phones. They aren’t just for rappers any more.<br /> Cell phones are so new in our societies that the medical field still cannot say for certainty what effects they may have one the human body. A thorough study needs 10 - 15 years to complete, and that is more time that cell phones have been readily available to the public. In the mean time many “smaller” studies have been done. These studies have shown that cell phones are good, and bad. It just depends on the study. Currently the world is waiting for a ten year study to be completed soon which is being funded by a number of different groups in an effort to produce a non biased result. In the mean time Canada, England, Germany, Israel, Russia and other countries of note have issued warnings that cell phones should be limited in use by adolescents, and severely limited in use by children under age ten. The implications of all these signals bouncing around in the air is yet to be seen.<br /> What can readily be seen now is how we interact differently than before because of the cell phone. To make this point a very simple example will be used: Two people carrying on a conversation are suddenly interrupted when the cell phone of one begins to ring. Without a second thought the conversation stops and the cell phone is answered by person A, thereby starting a second conversation. Person B is now conversation-less, but does not mind. Instead person B pulls out their phone and checks for messages. Once the conversation between person A and the caller finish, the original conversation can resume. The time this takes to happen is undefined.<br /> Now lets play this scenario again, but instead of a cell phone caller, we interrupt the original conversation with an actual person who simply demands person A’s attention, while ignoring person B. Add a little bit of alcohol to the players, and it is easy to see how an argument or even a fight might in sue! This type of blatant interruption is considered rude on all counts. Yet it happens all the time now with cell phones. The cell phone has become such a important piece of equipment that people say they feel “naked” with out it. When it rings, there is no thought that it should be answered later, or consideration given to the people physically with you. It is simply a knee jerk reaction to answer, no matter what else is going on. This is now socially acceptable...... <br /> This addiction has already been identified as physically dangerous. Several U.S. states have outlawed talking on phones without a headset while driving. There probably is no one that has not seen or heard of an accident being caused by talking on a cell phone. The pinnacle example of this is a train conductor in L.A. who failed to do his job properly because he was texting, and caused a massive loss of life in the resulting accident. The changes that occur in a person when using a cell phone are readily observed. There is a tunnel vision effect that seems to take over, especially when texting. It seems certain external inputs to the brain get shut off, and all focus narrows down to the maximum 2D area of about 2”x4”. This brings to mind images from a zombie movie. Walking and chewing gum are easy. Walking and texting, thats tough. There are benefits to this form of social acceptance of the cell phone though. <br /> There are applications that can be installed on your phone which allow you to call yourself. You can make the caller show up on your screen as anyone. My brother has Barack Obama, and Heidi Klum calling him all the time now. I needed this application desperately recently. While eating lunch at a restaurant bar, the guy next to me started to tell me about his life. It wasn’t a bad life, its just that his jokes would finish with a outburst that was half laugh and half spit. I was thoroughly disgusted by this man. I could not bring myself to be rude and ask him to refrain from speaking, but a fake phone call would have effectively removed me from the situation without a confrontation. The applications costs $0.99, I would have paid anything at that moment to have had it. “Sorry I have to go, Heidi Klum’s calling me.”<br /> As a society we love our toys and strive to stay up to date with the newest ones. Anyone who attempted to enter a MAC store in the weeks following the release of the new 3G iphone this summer saw how serious a matter this is. Security guards were at stores keeping the peace, and restricting access. Supply was unable to meet the demand, and major newspapers covered the story on the front page. This phone has created a cult following unlike anything before it. Most of these people are technically savvy, so it only goes with reason to say that they have had several cell phones prior to the iphone. Probably more. So what happens to all the old phones? <br /> In the U.S. we produce over 2.6 million tons of electronic waste a year. only about 12% of this waste got recycled in 2005. With over 400,000 cell phones being thrown out every day in the U.S. it is easy to see some of the environmental issues at stake. These electronics contain batteries, heavy metals, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), just to mention a few of the hazards that are readily absorbed into our environment. If you don’t know what all these items and chemicals do when exposed to the environment, a quick crash course describes them simply with words like toxic and carcinogen. Obviously the cell phone culture has a heavy environmental impact. This culture is growing. The 8 year old girl in Costa Rica is a testament to that. A good visual that is honestly mind blowing was produced by artist <a href="http://www.chrisjordan.com/images/current/1121878289.jpg">Chris Jordan</a>. If you haven’t seen his work, you need to. It takes this article and pushes it into your mind with images that words cannot do justice. Consumerism, recycling, waste, and personal responsibility are words that will come to mind though.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-19025458987502426922008-11-01T19:07:00.000-07:002008-11-01T19:27:20.026-07:00Wild Cronicles - Ben HortonNational Geographic has finally finished their Wild Chronicles episode about my Brother Ben. It recaps our stay there on the island and some of the patrols we did around the island filming and documenting with the rangers and coast guard. My brother has lectured all over the U.S. about this trip and even at the T.E.D. Conference last year in Africa. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DjGfowhJtg">Watch Video</a> <a href="http://www.benhorton.biz">Bens Website</a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-39814664496912307332008-11-01T19:02:00.000-07:002008-11-01T19:04:54.989-07:00The Starbucker Identity CrisisWalking through LAX airport is always an interesting experience. The airport security checkpoints are positively some of the worst in the world, but once you pass them, a whole new world awaits you that makes the harassment worthwhile. The “cultural overflow” in L.A. permeates the waiting areas - silicon implants and “alternative “ lifestyles coexisting amongst suited business travelers and in fashion hippie backpackers. Each character seems to fit into a well defined stereotype of society. It may not be necessarily politically correct to view LAX patrons this way, but it seems to be working.<br /> In front of me an apparently lesbian couple sit who appear to be hard rockers by virtue of their appearances, tattoos, dark ripped clothing, jewelry with crosses, skulls, spikes and the accompanying piercings seem far left of mainstream. But then they surprise me for a moment. A couple of starbucks cups and a blackberry appear and suddenly these two just don’t seem to be in their respective stereotypical places. They seem quite out of place. The society challenging rebel yell of their appearances was clashing in a major way with the apparently mainstream “accessories” they sported. I know it is my own stereotype that is apparently wrong, yet it gets me thinking about a subject I have been dwelling on for some time.<br /> As I walked down the hallway to get to my gate, I passed two starbucks in the last 100 meters before my gate. Two. It wasn’t one Starbucks and then another coffee company competitor. There were two Starbucks. It seems odd to me that we need two of these stores so close to each other. I can understand the reasoning behind one in each terminal. Or maybe one on either end of the terminal. But these were practically next to each other. The question arising from this observation was quite obvious. Do we need two? In cities from Washington D.C. to Hong Kong I have experienced that a starbucks can literally be found on almost every block. Down town in most cities you can see a sign for one from almost any vantage point. I used to severely go out of my way to avoid supporting such a “mega corporation” and search out the little guys shops, trying to support the local business. But after learning that Starbucks does indeed try and remain environmentally conscious, I feel better about purchasing from them. But that brings up another Question.<br /> Are we really just slaves to advertising? I have to admit, walking by the first Starbucks I did not feel the need to buy a $4 designer coffee. After all I had just spent $12 on a salad and water. But, as I passed the second, the subconscious, lingering thought patterns evoking the coffee impulse buy, that I suppressed while passing the first Starbucks, came out in force. I actually had to think, “I really don’t need a coffee”. Indeed, it is not a well disguised fact that advertising often has as much or more to do with the purchase of a product, than does the quality of the product. This is what bothers me. <br /> By and large we have become a society which is pushed and pulled by advertising. The product doesn’t really matter. It just needs to be average. The advertising on the other hand needs to be exceptional. It needs to include catch phrases like green, MPG, hybrid, digital, and high definition. These are phrases that are currently being stuck on everything. Not to mention maverick and change. The MPG and hybrid ones are driving me crazy. I looked up the Chevy Tahoe hybrid the other day to see what advantages it had for the environment. 21 and 22 MPG for highway and city travel. Thats the new more fuel efficient Tahoe. It really is a bad joke! Yet just because it carries the word hybrid along with it, the consumer can feel good about trading in their old SUV for an SUV hybrid, without really gaining anything other than a new vehicle. I see some serious issues here. <br /> Our economy has crashed recently because of greed. The finger of blame has been pointed in many directions, but no one seems to look at the four fingers pointing at ourselves. Why do we need designer coffee on every corner? Why don’t Ford, Audi, and Volkswagen (to mention a few) bring the 50 plus MPG cars they sell overseas into America? They say we like power more than fuel efficiency. We like appearance over taste. It is sad, but true. In the mean time our wasteful and excessive spending has brought our economy to a halt. Thats ironic because it is actually what sustained it for a long time. It was part of the image of “the American Dream”, but it itself was not sustainable. Rather, it just isn’t reasonable. At this point it would be easy to talk about America as the great wasteful consumer of the world. But that is to deep and depressing for this article. Instead I think of my characters in LAX.<br /> I see how hard it is to not fit inside a pre-packaged identity box. The stereo types of rocker, businessmen, hippie, or jock all describe the superficial details. But the core details are determined by our regional advertising campaigns. Want food? Eat this. Want to drive? You need this. Like music? Buy it here and listen like this. Actually, you need to like music and listen like this to this. Sure, we can change the colours of our clothes, hair, cars and ipods, but we aren’t really that different than the person sitting next to us even though appearances sometimes say we are. Advertising campaigns often target an individual by offering the feeling of an independent identity. How many H2 Hummer owners do you know who actually take them off the pavement, much less offroading? They probably would be just as well off with a Volkswagen TDI Golf which gets almost 70 MPG. You can even Get a Golf TDI Hybrid if you need the word hybrid to make you feel good, and bump the MPG up over 70. But you would have to buy it overseas, and we don’t sell them here because it would not sustain the oil industry. Thus we would not have to buy so much foreign oil, or possibly be in Iraq. Again, I am treading on a subject which resembles thin ice. I kind of like it though, so I will continue. <br /> Lets go back to the two Starbuck terminal in LAX. A short while ago I decided to re-enter the patronage of Starbucks after a little education about their environmental policies. My decision was based on a system of fair trade and low waste policy worldwide in its simple form. I felt good about it. I didn’t mind becoming a Starbucker again. I felt like I wasn’t being green washed by advertising, but instead was making a conscious decision....... Something about the shear amount of these stores seems disproportionate to me though. I don’t mind waiting in line a few minutes for a coffee. I don’t need my own personal store simply to avoid that wait. After all, the time I save will probably just cause me to rack up a bill somewhere else. Is the low waste policy genuine, or does it simply reflect the global economies need to switch to a more green advertising scheme? <br /> Full circle identity profiling. Thats what I have done in LAX. Or at least what I want to call what I have done. These many people who I attempted to stereo type, and who confused me, really are true individuals. We now live in a system that determines the majority of our decisions through subtle advertising. Yet, we still have to put all the pieces together individually. There are a million ways to do so. A skull necklace, tattoos and a blackberry. Ambercrombie and Fitch sweater, Dreadlocks and a well used backpack. The combination is surprising sometimes. I imagine that it goes against the advertising companies stereotypes too. Thats a beautiful thing.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-42295595176047330742008-10-22T09:10:00.000-07:002008-11-01T19:23:56.374-07:00BermudaRoughly 600 miles out to sea in the middle of the Atlantic ocean lies the island of Bermuda. The 19 square miles of dry 'rock' that protrude out of the ocean are well known for pink beaches and tidy businessmen. Yet the waters surrounding the island provide some of thew most beautiful subterranean landscapes I have ever seen. Huge coral heads, giant rock fish, tiny damsel fish, and crystal clear waters just begin to describe the experience of diving in Bermuda. After spending my childhood there diving and fishing, a recent trip back to the island was not disappointing at all. In fact I came away proud at what Bermudians have done to protect and ensure future protection of the marine resources surrounding the island. <br />So many places in the world are well behind the curve of marine conservation efforts. Bermuda is well ahead of it. Extremely strict commercial fishing policies and regulations since the early 90's, and ongoing conservation efforts reflect the respect the islands residents have towards the ocean. While visiting I met two people who stand out amongst the crowd though. Both are well known and come up regularly in conversation around the island. One is Andrew Stevenson. <br />Andrew has been studying and documenting whales on the Challanger Bank, a shoal about 20 miles from the island. What makes his work so interesting and different from other whale research is the location. While visiting Bermuda, Humpback whales are in the middle of their journey across the Atlantic. Their behavior socially is relatively unstudied, and their purpose for stopping over for extended periods shows little sign of having the usual reasoning such as food supply. Andrew has accumulated a rich bank of footage from his experiences and displays it freely for educational purposes through his website. <a href="http://www.whalesbermuda.com/">WHALES BERMUDA</a><br /><br />The second person well worth mentioning is Chris Flook. Chris works at the Bermuda Aquarium. To understand his job one must realize the importance that Bermuda has played in marine research throughout the 'ages'. Men like William Beebe the legendary ocean explorer used Bermuda as a staging point for years, and helped establish a long history of marine study and exploration. It seems that Chris is continuing that. For the moment though he is concentrating on a smaller specimen than Andrews Humpbacks, the lion fish.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONb3stW0-AqWjR-9_FZhJDyzRgd6920AJDl4x_dyHi4UwiDH1Ex5StNfZRoLX_OMxFMP4mb2Pq-HpiSedEJeAq-n0XwjkPt5_efuNn-SQvJkxYgc6OJ14yqZ4mt6O3-BSDVZl1y31Fr0/s1600-h/OB5I1021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONb3stW0-AqWjR-9_FZhJDyzRgd6920AJDl4x_dyHi4UwiDH1Ex5StNfZRoLX_OMxFMP4mb2Pq-HpiSedEJeAq-n0XwjkPt5_efuNn-SQvJkxYgc6OJ14yqZ4mt6O3-BSDVZl1y31Fr0/s400/OB5I1021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260014907217888146" /></a><br /> Lion fish are not native to Bermuda, or the Atlantic for that matter. They are an invasive species recently introduced it seems by non other than the petshop industry in the Americas. Voracious hunters with inextinguishable appetites for small reef fish, they have wrecked havoc throughout the Caribbean already. Some estimates place the depopulation of some reef fish populations as high as 79%. That is devastational, and Chris is determined to not let it happen in Bermuda. He is helping to establish culling programs for the lion fish in an effort to protect the reef fish around Bermuda. The near future should provide evidence whether his efforts are successful, or not.<br />So much of the news we hear about our marine environments is negative. Often the experiences I come away from a place with are highlighted by these. Seeing how Bermuda has taken care of itself, is a nice change. It is an example of how conservation efforts can be successful. It seems to have managed to maintain a balance between the commercial, recreational, and tourism intrests, without selling out the environment.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-80194862314338571832008-09-02T21:45:00.000-07:002008-11-02T06:50:45.801-08:00How Much Mercury Would You Like Today?So what do light bulbs and tuna have in common? Mercury. I really did not want to believe when I was informed that most "top of the food chain" seafoods are loaded with critical amounts of mercury in their system. So much so that grocery stores all over post signs warning pregnant women and children of the effects of eating too much seafood. Thats a big deal! It took personal research to prove to myself that it wasn't a myth at all. The higher on the food chain the fish is, the higher the concentration generally is. The FDA has published quite a few reports on the subject, and so have many independant researchers. One I found very enlightening is on <a href="http://www.oceana.org/support/solution/newsletter-archive/spring-2008/features/toxic-tuna/">Oceanas website.</a><br /> Mercury is a well known neurotoxin and causes some serious physical damage to the human body. Yet, we can't seem to get away from it. Most recently after being enlightened with reports of how much mercury we find in fish, I learned that the eco-friendly, green, sustainable, whatcha-ma-call-um, CLF lightbulbs, also contain mercury gas in significant levels. Immediately the question raised is "why are we marketing them as eco-friendly and green then?". I figured this was just another case of Greenwashing. There is an interesting twist to this story though. The average CLF is supposed to last 5 years, after which it can possibly be recycled, and it will use about 75% less energy than a normal light bulb. Most likely it will break during it's disposal, and release its mercury gasses into the atmosphere doing damage and reversing the good done by purchasing the bulb in the first place. Yet, even if this happens, the amount of mercury released into the atmosphere will probably (if all goes according to plan) be less than what a typical coal powered electrical plant would produce while powering a standard lightbulb for the same period of time. To me it is a case of the lesser of the two evils still, but the evil is slowly being reduced.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-68719052164522930602008-09-02T19:04:00.000-07:002008-09-02T20:33:48.129-07:0014,000 ft Above Sea Level<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3vWk9TOU0IZTpxEot1Klyvh1w2rnddbOHGFym2pAAL3QtoyMc4r6xy0DZRRqy0aHVxWb4R9X7DlcKLOvGpEuYUW6BU8WvmH_qUVubhMZ6fhJ5WswKXoLFUsVmP6Pbpz1VGZaqug0Mng/s1600-h/IMG_3264.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3vWk9TOU0IZTpxEot1Klyvh1w2rnddbOHGFym2pAAL3QtoyMc4r6xy0DZRRqy0aHVxWb4R9X7DlcKLOvGpEuYUW6BU8WvmH_qUVubhMZ6fhJ5WswKXoLFUsVmP6Pbpz1VGZaqug0Mng/s400/IMG_3264.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241631141611229298" /></a><br />Much of the time my efforts to document, film and photograph are restricted to the undersea environment. Recently due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself well above sea level. And this past weekend put me up in the 14,000 ft above sea level range in Colorado. It was an extremely valuable experience, providing a few days of solitary freedom in the Rocky Mountains and a chance to explore some new territory in some of the more dramatic scenery the U.S.A has to offer. <br />The weather turned bad before I even set out, and turned worse as I started up the approach to Mount Wilson and its adjacent peak El Diente. About ten minutes into the hike I put on my parka to protect myself from the rain, and it stayed on throughout the day, only coming off to add extra layers as I got higher on the mountain. Rain, mist, fog, sleet, and finally snow were all encountered. As the trail dissipated, reappeared, and then finally ended in a cliff face at 13,000 ft, route finding became critical. Cairns were a Godsend. A map and compass became more than the usual excess baggage, and vital to a safe ascent. Wet rocks, a steepening couloir, and the sound of distant and not so distant rockslides brought some apprehension to the ascent. Every so often a break would appear in the clouds and the views would take away your breath, displaying the rewards of the task at hand, as well as its enormity. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtW4BUyhcSGjUfe9FShuk1q-RlpPl6jRnJ79dmpHij83IBBO7BHZaUYYQ186S3qpTdKOQSMajH52ADK6zWYA6lWGGsycn1Fm7tSybhBbJErXODotUW0tOlKq32KSVFueNHJ-E9Ra_Srk/s1600-h/IMG_3295.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtW4BUyhcSGjUfe9FShuk1q-RlpPl6jRnJ79dmpHij83IBBO7BHZaUYYQ186S3qpTdKOQSMajH52ADK6zWYA6lWGGsycn1Fm7tSybhBbJErXODotUW0tOlKq32KSVFueNHJ-E9Ra_Srk/s400/IMG_3295.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241632228714840514" /></a><br />Shortly before reaching the 14,000 ft mark the weather took another turn. For the worse that is. The wind started to whip instead of simply blow, and hiking became scrambling, then climbing. Then suddenly as is so often the case the top was in site. An attainable goal only a few hundred feet away, across a knife edge ridge that was wet, windy, and at that moment one of the most lonely places in the world. It was so close, close enough to almost claim the peak anyway, but not quite. The conditions had suddenly escalated to a point where the pain, time and effort spent to get this close, did not outweigh the benefits of coming back another day. It was a decision made and not questioned, never second guessed. The descent proved as challenging as the ascent. More often than not all fours were on the ground all at once, never less than two. A slip and fall would definitely be the fastest way down to the snowfield two thousand feet below. To avoid that outcome care was taken at each movement to ensure good contact with the rocks and boulders. Only one thing could change that safe, slow methodical descent down the mountain. Flying rocks. Rocks bouncing down the mountain at random intervals in random places speed up a descent with amazing efficiency. Never have I descended a mountain with such care and speed at the same time. It is like picking a safe route up an avalanche slope, except the opposite. You hide, run, jump and seek shelter. All the way to the bottom. Then you look back, and think, that wasn't so bad.........<br />The trip up Mount Wilson was truly memorable. Something that was unsurprising though was what else I found on the mountain. On the way up discarded water bottles. On the way down socks and pieces of energy bar wrappers. The most interesting was a object at the very top of the mountain that I noticed while the weather was at it's worst - a Victoria's Secret clothing tag. One can only imagine what the look on my face was as I contemplated such a simple object so out of place. In all, it was much like exploring deep areas below sea level. Plastic bottles, trash in general, and the occasional discarded piece of underwear.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWZBJL9KUyhT46IC_Q4soVmS2EWkKvhsNljRL7ZZr02U2mmHEz-lKyBVUZTJxUQ6WcAwfZhANg4X8Zt3eREacOBjJmYxGrP1SPI3zIkQtngg-pOWaSTLU0LonpmzdmN2o_157vXZD2dg/s1600-h/Rainbow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWZBJL9KUyhT46IC_Q4soVmS2EWkKvhsNljRL7ZZr02U2mmHEz-lKyBVUZTJxUQ6WcAwfZhANg4X8Zt3eREacOBjJmYxGrP1SPI3zIkQtngg-pOWaSTLU0LonpmzdmN2o_157vXZD2dg/s400/Rainbow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241632736503705698" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-70758683186980931582008-08-04T11:55:00.000-07:002008-08-04T12:55:09.404-07:00Sea Food on the Prairie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8w6Gq5nP9Wm1EyIUvZCLc1w55ZehCvHEYT6tlB6_KkWQZXiBXWUfrROLIzONwuT_u7mkuM-xDDFSHD-ojQElQYXY-HM7mhG0w5uB1pd1wmutfiIr3Ny8jOVmf6xJNPAkSg7tCCXpr2VA/s1600-h/orange-roughy-on-processing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8w6Gq5nP9Wm1EyIUvZCLc1w55ZehCvHEYT6tlB6_KkWQZXiBXWUfrROLIzONwuT_u7mkuM-xDDFSHD-ojQElQYXY-HM7mhG0w5uB1pd1wmutfiIr3Ny8jOVmf6xJNPAkSg7tCCXpr2VA/s400/orange-roughy-on-processing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230752801705012434" /></a><br /><br />Tulsa Oklahoma is a long long way from any ocean. It is actually more noted for its rolling prairies where buffalo used to roam, than it is for seafood. But as one drives thru town, it is nearly impossible to ignore the myriads of strip malls, chain restaurants, and flashing signs advertising food from every corner of the planet. Seafood is probably second in this town only to Chinese food, neither being expected to be so proficiently abundant here in the middle of America. But what type of seafood is found here? The answer to that question is not always as easily answered as one would expect.<br />In one restaurant we enquired if the waitress new what type of fish "whitefish" was. The menu offered a deep fried fillet of the Whitefish. After consulting with the kitchen and wait staff the answer was that no one knew. A quick call and a google search later, and whitefish turns out to be more of a term than a fish. By catch of other specifically targeted species, (usually undesirable fish) and shark are renamed somewhere between the ocean and the kitchen in order to give them a more desirable "character appearance". The waitress was shocked to say the least. It is amazing how many people have no idea what they are eating.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l5idfHPs4Rl7do7Wc27pY4vnP-KCNK8-Q0rMuzAxJLM1wzKl3Ip5tDxsxTkFzJ8pOxTdiEkxxotc6-2iiH4bd1DTm33LaxU3lNdxs-p8gDHCvtcy9LFohO2ONQ_8jf2OqTbChrPi7p8/s1600-h/Orange_roughy_TW_200px.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l5idfHPs4Rl7do7Wc27pY4vnP-KCNK8-Q0rMuzAxJLM1wzKl3Ip5tDxsxTkFzJ8pOxTdiEkxxotc6-2iiH4bd1DTm33LaxU3lNdxs-p8gDHCvtcy9LFohO2ONQ_8jf2OqTbChrPi7p8/s400/Orange_roughy_TW_200px.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230750793662312562" /></a><br />This morning a discussion with a professional in the medical profession displayed this. The woman involved taught science classes for 20 years, yet seemed to have no feelings against eating fish that live to be 150 years old. When enlightened about "orange roughy" and the issues facing these ancient fish, she simply commented on their taste.... It really is a sad state of affairs that our fisheries are in. Advertising can change a commercially ugly looking and sounding fish into dollars. Slimefish turns into Orange Roughy. Patagonian Toothfish turns into Chilean Sea Bass. Shark, Cod, Hake, Pollock and others become white fish. Knowing what you are eating is a vitally important part of being environmentally conscious. It doesn't mean don't eat fish. But these fish can't take much more of the sustained fishing pressure they are facing. Just know what your fish is, and where your fish comes from. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0-ctFMuW5QF-aI6Pf2kML5bHHWGK4WoxBgun213Q9ULQJCDNm9-8YfZqeAemnmNB-IPMj_Nd1Y9LH9gTeJ-IG20O7vFYclJXOPGqEAHX19mt2K62gvP8gY7GgFX0DUszlo5HqMMmj1s/s1600-h/800px-Toothfish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0-ctFMuW5QF-aI6Pf2kML5bHHWGK4WoxBgun213Q9ULQJCDNm9-8YfZqeAemnmNB-IPMj_Nd1Y9LH9gTeJ-IG20O7vFYclJXOPGqEAHX19mt2K62gvP8gY7GgFX0DUszlo5HqMMmj1s/s400/800px-Toothfish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230750426559201122" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-73941052486368115312008-06-19T22:27:00.000-07:002008-06-20T15:21:36.672-07:00Aquanautas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pb0pfkxf1-7O20DmYLGEiTTSdch-ijfA2euxSZKZrW63uuxudIwNQ4uRIDUS5OlCAq4vx6UuQTbtT3i2C4lGAy6PUHTzim66HGQzj0TghhRiTgOb0rPlTyFYgZ65khpdGvKt1iria4E/s1600-h/HHJesse2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pb0pfkxf1-7O20DmYLGEiTTSdch-ijfA2euxSZKZrW63uuxudIwNQ4uRIDUS5OlCAq4vx6UuQTbtT3i2C4lGAy6PUHTzim66HGQzj0TghhRiTgOb0rPlTyFYgZ65khpdGvKt1iria4E/s400/HHJesse2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214092157017309698" /></a><br />Life changes fast. We know it will, we plan for it to, but when it does, we never seem to be quite ready for it. Three weeks ago I was getting myself prepared to go to Cocos Island and explore a seamount never before seen with human eyes, trying to get the logistics worked out involving, scientists, submarines, cameramen, and my little brother (who’s Emerging Young Explorer status with National Geographic does not make him so little anymore). Fast forward to two days ago and I found myself behind a camera in the ghetto of Johannesburg, South Africa called Soweto, in a small smoke filled tin shack drinking home made beer around a wood “fire barrel” with twenty far from sober men. No, the submarine is not here in Africa with us. What has happened is that Rogue Studios has joined with Groupo Magento of Brazil to film a show called Aquanautas (Aquanauts). In the show the three characters (Tony, Ana Paula and myself) travel the world diving, sampling along the way all that we can of the local culture, food and natural environment. Hoping to show more than just how to travel and dive, the show has already focused several times on the environmental issues facing our worlds seas, and seems to be a great opportunity to simply teach people about the sites being visited. For now, the Cocos Island trip has been cancelled due to logistics. So to pick up the slack I have embarked on a new adventure that will lay before me the waters and coastlines of South Africa, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Mexico, Galapagos Islands, Brazil, Egypt, Dijibuti, and who knows where else........ We will keep you updated. In the mean time here are a couple pictures of freediving Cocos last week. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNQWeBnsduuhv9XWeKTIb6l7XpXyJBKCBDnX6p6rFv1KeVQPp-TcW2lsKb4sd1VDCOZGJmzI54EFhMT86CfXgNhlo1JSznKbpj7hsvqia75yp55VPdaxJUQZMJmO7VwJG6WFpUjEEWK4/s1600-h/Apneafish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNQWeBnsduuhv9XWeKTIb6l7XpXyJBKCBDnX6p6rFv1KeVQPp-TcW2lsKb4sd1VDCOZGJmzI54EFhMT86CfXgNhlo1JSznKbpj7hsvqia75yp55VPdaxJUQZMJmO7VwJG6WFpUjEEWK4/s400/Apneafish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214092149365925378" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-78093427656315489202008-05-27T13:22:00.000-07:002008-05-27T13:38:41.468-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyAwrytrU0GalhxS91Gib6XkLLG8tKWw02CRqiG8LiOTH7UIAu3fo8MhZeCFfMGTQLrGIO6Iq1hbn5jp_iGx8sqeze2jRCSdm3Q6_HGujbtXwEL8Wf3j_hAGzSTrtKJVB3KmFnuJ4KGg/s1600-h/TunaJump.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyAwrytrU0GalhxS91Gib6XkLLG8tKWw02CRqiG8LiOTH7UIAu3fo8MhZeCFfMGTQLrGIO6Iq1hbn5jp_iGx8sqeze2jRCSdm3Q6_HGujbtXwEL8Wf3j_hAGzSTrtKJVB3KmFnuJ4KGg/s400/TunaJump.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205157210973539698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2uTjb7mvoP0y6ePcDpb9dH0R2X2tJQKy58Do5ujNrJtjAW3NLh1VeXhdO8s8-hvFiWSG5_qzNHTwQS2vrpgN-YFFc1ptdv8vuw6iabjQLhTBQfcdcnhxeNFB2WEnr11JFyFAueDbPZ8/s1600-h/Bobbies+dive.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2uTjb7mvoP0y6ePcDpb9dH0R2X2tJQKy58Do5ujNrJtjAW3NLh1VeXhdO8s8-hvFiWSG5_qzNHTwQS2vrpgN-YFFc1ptdv8vuw6iabjQLhTBQfcdcnhxeNFB2WEnr11JFyFAueDbPZ8/s400/Bobbies+dive.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205157215268507010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6feI2UWeh8uKQshxftQcvf41Irt29SppOpBSM9XkhGou7NBGpkdsuV2PEwu7GOE1cFVRlHgw-S4ouLyS19057hQVnGxS1lO6I6hls1fcbDWZ5koOmqpdgpu4ZtZ3ZQXx6OJtC1QopQ0/s1600-h/OB5I3067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6feI2UWeh8uKQshxftQcvf41Irt29SppOpBSM9XkhGou7NBGpkdsuV2PEwu7GOE1cFVRlHgw-S4ouLyS19057hQVnGxS1lO6I6hls1fcbDWZ5koOmqpdgpu4ZtZ3ZQXx6OJtC1QopQ0/s400/OB5I3067.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205157219563474322" /></a><br />Being busy doesn't quite describe how occupied I have been lately. I have been able to take some great shots lately and wanted to share them. Hopefully I will get the time to add some comments later. I have a good excuse though. I live in the jungle with no phone line, and thus no internet connection. To post I have to go to town which is quite a trek at the moment since the river I have to cross is flooded. It's kind of fun actually....... Enjoy the pictures.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-2338338839660667392008-03-11T12:08:00.000-07:002008-03-11T12:22:02.644-07:00Mobulars and Murexes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCNIsYjqnRlQswUGKvG576YnpCKdKdqxUpRq4FLCB8UAp5vnxO_c9oU6DphUWCRvWCp6i3hqpprert-OD_9JnV7-ZOlDQv8Mp8fyIT3_yWPYQFIsxh1SMsOQi3b_4rwI9srs9On6jsNM/s1600-h/Mobular+4+blog1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCNIsYjqnRlQswUGKvG576YnpCKdKdqxUpRq4FLCB8UAp5vnxO_c9oU6DphUWCRvWCp6i3hqpprert-OD_9JnV7-ZOlDQv8Mp8fyIT3_yWPYQFIsxh1SMsOQi3b_4rwI9srs9On6jsNM/s400/Mobular+4+blog1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176564893438479794" /></a><br />When you dive in a submarine all the time you can forget that going beyond 150 ft is still considered real diving. You don’t get wet for starters. Conventional diving limits are around 130 ft for the recreational diver. Beyond that diving gets technical, and experience is key to a safe dive. I learned a while ago to respect such diving after an experience I had with what is called nitrogen narcosis. Basically it is when you have a buildup of nitrogen in your system from the extreme pressures, and you become stupid, paranoid, and unable to preform basic tasks without extreme difficulty. It is a condition that is common at depth, and only can be avoided by experience and caution. I have never experienced anything like it, as it completely disables your mind, as opposed to your body. I don’t mind not being able to not move a bodily appendage, but when you can’t even think straight, things get scary.<br /> So with all this in mind the captain, the other sub pilot and myself headed off this trip to dive a new seamount we found a few trips ago while diving in the submarine. The top of the seamount is 170 ft, and is full of all kinds of life. Everything from tiny seashells new to science, to a giant 14 ft ragged tooth shark who’s curiosity we seemed to spark. With the build of a great white and the apparent temperament of a grazing bull, it is an awesome creature to observe cautiously. The Captain got some great shots of the encounter, the first of its kind on Cocos island with a diver. In the submarine most encounters with this shark are extremely docile. We have seen them down near the 300 m mark though, and they seem to be a different animal all together. Swimming fast and with a purpose, they look more like a voracious hunter.<br /> This trip was able to produce a bit of good footage as well. Cocos Island is inundated constantly with long lines that get caught on the reefs around the island. Cleaning these lines up is time consuming and often difficult work. Some good shots of this process were captured that help show how bad this problem is for the reef environment. These are stories that are seldom shown or given much consideration. It is the part of being “environmentally friendly” that gets left behind. Its easy to say “don’t do that”. But to stop, walk back a few steps and pick up that piece of trash is different. It shows more insight into the solution than into the problem.<br /> The deep scuba dives this trip also helped produce two specimens of Murex shells. Currently there is only one of this particular species available to science. We found one specimen at around 150 ft, and another juvenile specimen at 170 ft. It is really amazing how much we don't know is out there. The pictures here are of Mobular rays at around 200 m / 650 ft. They are extremely elegant creatures and seem to glide along effortlessly at these extreme depths.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwD4XGuf2JznhVeFJMEsh6OZ4D4Dl6tHYk9wLMPf7F0cpo6n4odDf1xVC4XYymlbKJeHnq5N1heEbH1yCMVymtxarCvhTkPQP3nX6GspR65CnHqkRNC-drnYaJWdltbyoSX_4N3y-YB0Q/s1600-h/SubView.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwD4XGuf2JznhVeFJMEsh6OZ4D4Dl6tHYk9wLMPf7F0cpo6n4odDf1xVC4XYymlbKJeHnq5N1heEbH1yCMVymtxarCvhTkPQP3nX6GspR65CnHqkRNC-drnYaJWdltbyoSX_4N3y-YB0Q/s400/SubView.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176566319367622098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy2EOmV-ojnLkvGyEPASLL__WkxxQOI8mhMBf1mpu-_RUUCq2HT6scB3qPN3W_8EqOd57vpp9LEfWJRz0BNuOvmgWL6osrgayxDkLG17KGKpRD6ei1t8udr-OIakdflwRDvisD_nKzkY/s1600-h/MobularBubblesblog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy2EOmV-ojnLkvGyEPASLL__WkxxQOI8mhMBf1mpu-_RUUCq2HT6scB3qPN3W_8EqOd57vpp9LEfWJRz0BNuOvmgWL6osrgayxDkLG17KGKpRD6ei1t8udr-OIakdflwRDvisD_nKzkY/s400/MobularBubblesblog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176566147568930242" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-57349569411574368482008-02-28T09:42:00.000-08:002008-08-04T12:58:32.276-07:00Cocos Island Update 02-28-08<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTYx-_gGUhfZkPe0_3ZXkQ9P4Gs0BSbnTaGU-mNOmVXmxJ95QNz5G-9gLGj0UK1T2RXuv1_Ta_cG1S5LW0XX4gluAlOZvaKyTm_olxTr_Lh7_andl8w-doacAujtKLbELmUqEvzE1rFs/s1600-h/Chattam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTYx-_gGUhfZkPe0_3ZXkQ9P4Gs0BSbnTaGU-mNOmVXmxJ95QNz5G-9gLGj0UK1T2RXuv1_Ta_cG1S5LW0XX4gluAlOZvaKyTm_olxTr_Lh7_andl8w-doacAujtKLbELmUqEvzE1rFs/s400/Chattam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172092113650252002" /></a><br /><br />Costa Rica, Texas, Washington D.C., Colorado, Cocos Island. A few of the places visited during the past three weeks. Meetings, family visits, and lots of work mixed with pleasure. The recent trip to Cocos produced lots of footage and Pictures. Some amazing experiences were captured, and some good friends made with people that are trying to do their part in helping the worlds oceans. Right now Cocos Island is full of life. It is currently a La Nina year which means that the ocean is slightly colder than normal, and this is bringing unusually large numbers of life to cocos island for this time of the year. This video contains a few clips from this past trip to Cocos and is a sample video of Rogue Studios underwater footage shark bank. <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxseB3XSpDBMwcEmoLHJEyNgKlhioyUtbmEXx2nykTxGnJyG13VcpPHM2PFrwWGTUV-xd_F1-aFSfdGZITdVQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> <br />Most of these shots are from Cocos and Mal Pelo Island. They are alone in the quantities of large pelagic life that they attract. This is partially due to the fact that they are well out of range of most fishing boats. The boats that do make it to the islands to fish, do have a huge impact though. We see it in the amount of lost fishing line we see, and the occasional victims that are still attached to the long lines. Recently a large Tuna boat was documented and apprehended while fishing inside the park. The evidence against the boat was overwhelming, yet it has since been released and it looks like the $5,000,000.00 fine they were given will be waved. The politics that have to be dealt with in order to simply keep the law upheld are frustrating. Rogue Studios is currently helping produce a "shock" video though that hopefully will help either scare or embarrass some large sea food wholesalers and restaurants into being more selective and careful when they choose who to buy their seafood from. One step at a time...... Here are some more pictures. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO2Y3VlxLt8OzIVQwq3EDdVmXCTodItY0qW2SQwD2CuBTvk02pQDCDZuWF-VwJX9uB3Uik0UPSIqCDbSaX54MmbzsRjS4Gsw0nK423-n128PYM62HhRdu_VyXv854DSZwyBrWtN-k_M4/s1600-h/ShadowDiverweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO2Y3VlxLt8OzIVQwq3EDdVmXCTodItY0qW2SQwD2CuBTvk02pQDCDZuWF-VwJX9uB3Uik0UPSIqCDbSaX54MmbzsRjS4Gsw0nK423-n128PYM62HhRdu_VyXv854DSZwyBrWtN-k_M4/s400/ShadowDiverweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172092126535153906" /></a> <br />Sea Hunter Captain Christiano Paoli took this picture of a Silver Tip shark just as I was entering the water above.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNAr5o6OhpF72sW-1Q7HosZui9_bOIIq6yjazEfcqci5lsqXabZrGIdTntEt2jXGZE6DBvp2VPfKM_CeDowfdU9nSiLAfZZ4PtW4Vg-M7zns9fhPx-GnXOT0GPWjMkdPuCdc_HC-3wxQ/s1600-h/FrigateFight2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNAr5o6OhpF72sW-1Q7HosZui9_bOIIq6yjazEfcqci5lsqXabZrGIdTntEt2jXGZE6DBvp2VPfKM_CeDowfdU9nSiLAfZZ4PtW4Vg-M7zns9fhPx-GnXOT0GPWjMkdPuCdc_HC-3wxQ/s400/FrigateFight2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172092130830121218" /></a><br />As the different sea birds hunt at sea, they regularly fight over their catch. Here a Boobie (far right) has just vomited its catch after being ruthlessly pursued by the much larger Frigates. The Frigates snatched the fish out f the air immediately and then moved on to harass the next Boobie. The Frigates cannot dive to hunt, so they rely on the Boobies to hunt for them. It is a regular event of hunting and survival at sea.Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-33170722527285269532008-01-30T12:19:00.004-08:002008-01-30T12:24:28.760-08:00Ten days in two minutesJanuary was a busy month on Cocos Island. Lots of Diving, Paul Allens boat the Octopus showed up, and some hiking to rarely seen parts of the island. Heres a quick compilation of some of the activity during ten days of January.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrMK6_tjeZKF9D43WY3xDqig8KPFiYV4XwZZhpNgP59VTjoICvVm2HBSAHuKji7Wyz0HmYlPZGZ3nUWJprgA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790743638033301966.post-65167035287546805142008-01-29T09:14:00.000-08:002008-01-29T10:06:19.181-08:00Destination of the Species<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9aZwkfe1CYvpzEebDGjrNeLouvfLfgDN0eXkNXnBgOQPf6Z88mzmCULBQvq1NqpMuEsxewY001s6z1AlBrJ8GN1sAuOo524RIxNGyHrAkRmdv3nF6bp0UQbiKmt7qR46OTHqnYo9scE/s1600-h/Nudibranch+web.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9aZwkfe1CYvpzEebDGjrNeLouvfLfgDN0eXkNXnBgOQPf6Z88mzmCULBQvq1NqpMuEsxewY001s6z1AlBrJ8GN1sAuOo524RIxNGyHrAkRmdv3nF6bp0UQbiKmt7qR46OTHqnYo9scE/s400/Nudibranch+web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160949330392422802" /></a><br />During the past few trips to Cocos Island I have been able to find several species previously unknown to reside there. One is an undescribed Flabellina Nudibranch of the Aeolid species (above). The members of this family have names that use words like Rhinophore to describe their appendages which seem more like something you would see on an artist rendering of a dinosaur than a delicate deep sea creature. The other creature found is a Side Gilled Slug called Berthella Californica (below). The name denotes a slimy undesireable, with extremely primitive features. Yet the name is deceptive again and does nothing to describe the delicate beauty this "slug" exibits. If you look close it even appears to have tiny pearls on its back. One always hopes to find something new, but my search for a new species will have to continue since these are both known to science. The Nudibranch is still an undescribed species though, and a specimen may be able to be aquired soon from Cocos, since our submersible DeepSee is getting fitted with a hydrolic arm soon. The specimens we have seen have been in the 80m - 180m (240ft - 600ft) ranges so diving on an open circute system to retrive a specimen would be difficult at best. I would like to thank John E. McCosker, Chair of Aquatic Biology at the California Academy of Sciences , and Dr. Terrance Gosliner also at the California Academy of Sciences for their help in identifying these species on Cocos Island.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMhJSfiECfK1UGRPPGfuR2tbzNqKCchMNhjuDCMJTWV6_-W5YOVeeUQi2SkFHDtw3oB7scAmeu-b_wnxnDXI466UquKLJgttsBHfnlfDWH12Jlfo5MJrnOgo1vnS2rgKeqVZn_CdcNlo/s1600-h/NotaBranch+web.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMhJSfiECfK1UGRPPGfuR2tbzNqKCchMNhjuDCMJTWV6_-W5YOVeeUQi2SkFHDtw3oB7scAmeu-b_wnxnDXI466UquKLJgttsBHfnlfDWH12Jlfo5MJrnOgo1vnS2rgKeqVZn_CdcNlo/s400/NotaBranch+web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160949330392422786" /></a>Rogue Studioshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541936958329723776noreply@blogger.com0