What's Underwater in Bermuda |
Unlike Dolphin Quest, friends of helmet divers are free to come and go as they wish. Helmet diving is better than a Bermuda
glass-bottom tour, or Bermuda snorkeling for viewing fish in Bermuda. In a glass-bottom tour you are
stuck at the top and snorkeling and scuba diving involve kicking which can scare fish. This eco-tour is so
great because you are right with the fish. In the end the means to be underwater is irrelevant. The marine
creatures are only interested in what is in it for them. We are not all that different. They become used to
you and you can make friends, develop a relationship, and even hold them. A peaceful, patient, and understanding
attitude, plus food, is all that is needed to make friends with any creature, man or beast.
Friends showing up on an almost daily basis |
![]() ![]() Some divers are scared and I have to just about put their hands on him for them to accept this miracle that they can hold a hogfish. Some folks casually hold him as they would mindlessly hold a drink at a party. And then there are others whose reaction of appreciation and look of amazement make me feel that this the best way for me to spend my life. Click here to see a YouTube video of me holding Charles. My brother did a great jop putting this up but the light is in the wrong place and the video quality does not do Charles justice. Remember to click 'back' and not get too distracted on other videos. There is another YouTube videoof my brother putting Charles 'under manners'. After looking at the two videos it will become clear that Charles knows me and is more tolerant of my handling him. My brother, being a Hartley, knows how to handle fish, but Charles is resisting his will being bent by one who has not fed him on a regular basis. It is not so much about love and trust, as it is FOOD. |
GOLLUM THE SQUIRRELFISH![]() |
HERB THE HIND![]() ![]() |
CHARLES THE HOGFISH![]() ![]() I find that by observing fish behavior I can get new insight into human behavior. For example, although I knew Charles for many years, he was never comfortable with me or anyone toughing or holding him. Surely, after all those years of feeding him, he would understand that I would never hurt him. Why would he mistrust me when, day after day, all I would ever do is feed him. If were to simply put one finger behind his pectoral fin to stop him from backing up and then offer him his most favourite food, he would not be able to eat. The lesson is to accept that many times people are a certain way, not out of choice, or because they want to piss you off, but simply that is the way they are wired. People can change, but some changes require much time and patience. |
E.T. THE PORCUPINE PUFFER ![]() ![]() ET eats mussels crabs and other crunchy invertebrates. Click here to see a shot of E.T.chewing. We get him to slurp in a mussel and then hold hands on his back and tummy to feel the crunching vibrations as he chews up the mussel. He has big bug out eyes that can actually retract almost an inch inward like a turtle's head. He has this adaptation as he is a bit ungainly and will bump into things. ET had a scratch on his eye this summer that I hope will heal. According to some divers, puffers will inflate if you smack them on the tail. The thought would never have occured to me. We want him to be our friend. Click here to see another video of my brother, Chris, fondling and molesting E.T. You can see that things are not going according to the program as E.T. sees it. The usual routine is to be touched briefly by everybody and then be fed. He is good natured and will tolerate quite a bit if there is food in the end. I was filming, but did feed E.T. after all the interference with his personal liberty. E.T. tapered off his visits and stopped coming by in 2010. Click here for detailed photos and information on E.T.'s home page. |
FRANKLIN![]() It seems that our blessed time with Frank has ended. In 2006 he stayed absent till late in May, arrived very hungry, ate like a pig, settled down to his usual self, and then stopped coming out. He did not seem sick. After all those winters of fending for himself, he had certainly not forgotted how to hunt. It is a mystery but one should not expect of see, caress or be blessed by Franklin's presence. I am only keeping him on the web site for the benefit of all the divers, since 1991, who have had the honour of touching him. As of Thursday July 14, 2011 we have made first contact with a new goldentailed eel. We hope he will become a regular....He did not. There has only been one Franklin. |
QUEEN LATIFAH![]() |
There are many other fish that either come on an irregular basis, or do not separate themselves from the rest
of the bunch. There are too many to mention and they are all glad to se us. Join us underwater to behold
creation as it stands. |
![]() As a "non-swimmer", it is great to know that there is a way to interact withthe undersea world. I visit Bermuda twice a year and continue to come back to Hartley's again and again and re-visit some of the fish that I've become friends with. I believe that this is a "not-to-be-missed experience", and will continue to return every year. Denese Schunk 4237 Devereaux St. Philadelphia PA, 19135" |