15/05/2026
The other day I went on a dive with Elite Adventures Belize, the only shop I dive with. We did the 2 p.m. dive with Joan Pedrotti . Right at the end of the dive, as I was photographing a juvenile drum, Joan signaled an approaching Loggerhead turtle. The turtle hip-checked Joan and swam past toward me. I lined up beside it, snapping away, close enough to touch. Suddenly it turned towards me. I have no idea what its intention was, but it startled me, and for the first time I was a little freaked. He was big, and its powerful, beak-like jaws were very intimidating. Turtles rarely bite unless they feel threatened, and I was very close. This shot was a heartbeat before it head-butted my camera and swam on its way.
Photographing wildlife carries inherent risks, and it's important not to harm the animals. It’s equally important to chronicle life beneath the sea, raise awareness of our underwater friends, and support conservation. Years of diving with marine life have taught me the fine line between curiosity and caution, yet you never know what can happen in any given situation. If you're diving with big or small animals, stay mindful of distance and let them set the pace.
To view more underwater images by Will Blochinger, visit willblochinger.com. A percentage of all sales is donated to local reef charities.
