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2015 Survivors Reunion…

Quietly an event happens once a year where 6 fortunate people who had near death experiences but were brought back from the brink with the help of bystanders, 911 dispatchers, fire departments, ambulance personnel, hospital staff and air ambulance crews. The Sonoma County Survivors Reunion hosted by Benzinger Family Winery is a celebration of a second life given to a few through the emergency medical system and bystanders who made the decision to try and make a difference in saving a life. This is the 9th year I have covered this event and each year is unique and special. The stories are heart warming and tough to hear at the same time, no shortage of hugs…

Sonoma County Survivors Reunion

Sonoma County Survivors Reunion

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spring cleaning…

At the mouth of the Elkhart Slough in Moss Landing, California a sea otter floats on his back cleaning himself. With 250,000 million hairs per square inch, they spend a lot more time grooming especially since their fur is the only thing keeping them warm in the cold Pacific waters.

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Diving into darkness…

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Volunteer Dive Team practicing search and recovery at Spring Lake. Not a whole lot to see underwater here, green water, mud and silt. Still a good practice and confidence builder!

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Photo by Wendy Flood

 

Bully’s of Molokini…

Giant Trevally aka Jack, the reef marauders. These fish can be up to 200lbs in size and basically are the bully’s of the reef. As soon as I saw them heading my way I settled down and held still as they literally came up to my face mask to let me know whose hood I was in. JackJack02Jack03Jack06

Diving Maui

I had the opportunity to travel to Maui with my rebreather for some incredible diving! Thanks to Silent O Solutions for supporting me with tanks, gas and some trouble shooting.

Rebreather Training…

I spent a week in Florida’s “Cave County” learning to “fly” a rebreather. I had read many books about the caves and the big names in cave diving over the years, not so much that I was particularly interested in cave diving but was amazed at what was being accomplished in the miles of tunnels that run from sites like Devil’s, Peacock and many others. The images of the water filled veins of mother earth in magazines like National Geographic, Ocean Realm and now on the internet are stunning and amazing.  I want to thank the staff at Cave County Dive Shop in High Springs – Jon and Kristin BernotPeter McCumber and Dive Rite for making this possible. The service from the shop was exceptional in every way, this in a time where the standard for customer service is pretty mediocre. The rebreather opens up a whole new dimension in underwater photography and makes for a great tool to dive  some of the “special” sites off the California Coast.

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U/W Photo by Jon Bernot

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SONOMA BROTHERS DISTILLING…

Two brothers breaking new territory in the wine country. Look for their first release in select local bars and restaurants soon.

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Capo Test Team…

Spent the day with the gentlemen of new Capo Test Team. Capo is on the very short list of high end cycling apparel. Italians know 1. how to cook and 2. how to dress. I had the pleasure of working with fellow photographer Adrian Tamblin. Adrian and I go back a number of years as fellow mountain bike racers and in short order Adrian has gained mad photog skills! Check out his work at http://www.adriantamblin.com The Capo Test Team is made up of some of the best cycling talent Sonoma County has to dish up. These guys kept us busy as they blazed through 80 + miles in just a few hours, though looking at them you’d hardly know they were working! The day culminated in as expected, ridiculously good dinner at Rivera Ristorante in Santa Rosa. Here are few shots from the shoot. I also had some fun experimenting with drone videography – new horizons for me…..

Rest of my still images are here.

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Back to Stillwater…

Underwater photography must be the most difficult and trying form of photography. Today on the North Coast of California the seas were building, the wind starting to wind up and underwater was complete chaos! Being pushed four feet back and forth by the surge from the 5 foot waves above. I managed one usable shot after nearly an hour underwater. The reward was all the other things I saw but could not photograph. Abundant healthy abalone, rock fish, sculpins, sea anemones and one curious harbor seal that spied my dive buddy and I while we were suiting up. The seal joined us for several minutes during the dive, popping in and out of the murky visibility hoping we were spearfishing for an easy seal treat. The other great reward for the day was the surmise through the fog along the coast. This is well know but fitting, the best camera for the occasion is the one in hand.

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Stillwater Cove, Sonoma Coast…

This is Stillwater Cove Regional Park in Sonoma County. Wonder what lies under the water here?

Stillwater Cove

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Dirona albolineata aka “White lined Dirona” is a nudbranch aka seaslug. Unlike their brothers from a different mother on land, these ocean going slugs are gorgeous. Nudibranchs are found all over the worlds ocean and come in more colors and varieties than roses in a rose garden. This 1-1/2 inch sea slug is on the prowl for small snails which it cracks the snails shell with its jaws. I’d like to get a photo of that!

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Team Swift Cycle w/ Champions…

I had the pleasure of covering the annual fundraiser for Team Swift, the premier junior cycling development team based in Sonoma County. With the generous support from their sponsors Team Swift gives kids/young adults the skills that will last them a lifetime both on the bike and off. Here are a few of my favorite images from this years event. The complete gallery can be seen here.

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Hawaii Underwater….

Hawaiian Garden Eels – 130′ Molokini Crater

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Yellowfin Surgeon Fish – Pualu

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Hawaiian Spotted Toby – A mischievous puffer

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Hawaiian Spotted Toby – A mischievous puffer

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Thornback Cow Fish – Moo!

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Thornback Cow Fish – Moo!

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Gold Lace Nudibrach – A Hawaiian native

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WWII Helldiver  – Curtiss SB2C

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WWII Helldiver  – Curtiss SB2C

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Porcupine Fish – Kokala

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WWII Amtrac

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Divers descending the backside of Molokini Crater

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White Spotted Eel – Molokini Crater

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Hawaiian Spotted Toby – A mischievous puffer

 

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Live Black Coral – looks brown underwater

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Neil the Eel

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Arc Eye Hawkfish

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White tip reef shark – Not the man in the grey suit

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Hawaiian Sargent – Hawaiian Native

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Hawaiian Big Eyes

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New Client Site…

New updated look and feel to my client galleries is live, making for a better browsing experience. Check it out here.

Contact

Email keith@keithflood.com

Telephone 707.478.9686

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