Screenshot: Youtube
If you’re anything like us, there are far too many times to count when you think: “Damn nature, you awesome.” Nature, you is awesome — and for the most part it is always so. But there are times when nature is even awesome-r than usual; these are those times.
As we close the book on 2014 by celebrating our newfound proactive approach to the environment (as well as freediving with sharks and Ocean Ramsey, the activist pictured above with a great white), let’s look back at those most awesome moments when nature was cute, scary, terrifying, or inspiring… or, more simply put: awesome.
Sunday Vibes: Diver Saves Sea Turtle, Gets Cutest Thank You
The “awww…” invoked by this video is uncontainable.
Sea turtle gets caught in net. Not the beginning of a good story, right? Well, not always. In this case, it is the beginning of a beautiful story, one that revolves around a smart response to an unfortunate situation and a show of gratitude that will have you aw-ing into the night.
Sharing the stoke.
Life lessons from dolphins.
Killer Whale Dropkicks Sea Lion 20 Feet in the Air
The sea lion had it made until the humans decided it was time to take the boat (and the sea lion’s protective cover) back to shore.
When surfing calving glaciers, or anywhere in Alaska for that matter, and see a sea lion — paddle the other way. And do so doing your darnedest I’m-not-a-sea-lion impression.
Watch These Killer Whales Corner and Attack a Tiger Shark
Makes you think twice about swimming in the deep blue sea…
The whales began circling the shark, forcing it to the surface, then flipped it over and drove it with considerable force through the water.
Let’s Get Weird: Women Dances with Tiger Sharks
Hannah Fraser is not only a real-life mermaid, but she is umpteen times more courageous (or crazier) than you.
This is definitely in the do-not-try-at-home category. Perhaps the body suit and her particularly fluid body movements make her look like an unappetizing length of seaweed…?
Diving with the World’s Fastest Fish
Professional model and stuntwoman Roberta Mancino only needs a bikini, goggles, and fins to face down razor sharp bills.
Massive shoals of sardines follow the currents, and in turn, schools of sailfish follow the sardines, creating the perfect conditions for an epic bait ball. Our mission was to capture images of amazing interactions with sailfish and giant manta rays. Each day we battled raging seas, high winds, and elusive wildlife as we charged across open seas in search of the action.
Don’t Mess with a Goliath Grouper
The fish couldn’t care less that the weird-looking four-legged intruder has a sharp pointy thing it keeps shooting at other fish.
While goliath groupers really aren’t any danger to humans, they will pretty much take what ever they want, like that fat bully that shoves kids into lockers and takes their money, then goes home and cries because he’s lonely.
Spear Fisherman Fends Off Caribbean Reef Shark in Heart Stopping Video
His reaction is a little… fine, a lot better than what we imagine ours would be.
You’re in around 70 feet of water with a lion fish on the end of your spear, when you feel a nudge. You turn and see a Caribbean reef shark, hinting that he wants your lion fish. Cue mad panic, at least in the case of most people.
Craziest Creature of the Week: Coconut Crab
Just let it eat your garbage.
The Inertia Managing Editor Alexander Haro’s neighbors had a cat named Blackie. He is really happy they didn’t have crabs named Coconut.
Since the coconut crab grows fast enough to feel it necessary to eat its own clothes, it also eats pretty much anything else. Fruit, vegetables, dead stuff, even other crabs. There are also reports that it likes chickens. And cats. Seriously, there are reports that kittens have been eaten. Kittens. Ouch, my heart.
Crazy Creature of the Week: Sarcastic Fringehead, or Vampire Reaper
No. This is simple: no. Photo: Real Monstrosities
The Inertia Deputy Editor Michael Woodsmall began rethinking his passion for diving after the sight of this…THING.
Talk about an aggressive bout of the heebie jeebies. I really think we need to stop doing these, ’cause every time I cast out to see what Crazy Creature Of The Week will bite, I hook a good months-worth of nightmares generally involving a weirdly slow-motion, ultimately panic-inducing encounter. And they add a moment’s hesitation to what is generally a non-hesitant paddling out. The sarcastic fringehead is no different.
