MilaBooks.com Newsletter    
     
  The Sea-gram
         February 2018
  
     For ocean lovers, divers, and 
      "deep-thinkers."
  MilaBooks Logo
Fulvio The Turtle Whisperer, David Robertson Photo.  Cedral Wall, Cozumel, Mexico
Welcome to the February edition of Sea-gram  from MilaBooks.com  
In case you're wondering, you didn't miss the January Sea-gram. We took a month off to recover from the holidays.
  
In January I attended the Long Island Divers Association (LIDA) annual film festival.  Saw some great dive films, met some fascinating people, and sold & signed some books.

Paul at LIDA, Christopher Mazz Photo

Hope we'll see you at this year's Beneath The Sea (BTS) exposition in New Jersey, March 23-25. 
Stop by the author book signing booth and say "hello."
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The headline photo above was contributed by David Robertson, affectionately known as DOTS (David of the Shallows), in Cozumel.  Our mutual friend and famous dive buddy, Fulvio of the Deep (FOTD), was communing with a hawksbill turtle on Cedral Wall.

This month's 
Conservation Corner features  an update on how plastic pollution and global warming are affecting sea turtles. 

I had the pleasure recently to spend a few moments with this hawksbill turtle on Punta Tunich Reef, Cozumel, as it was foraging for a sponge lunch:
Swimming With A Hawksbill Turtle
 Paul Mila Video,  Cozumel Mexico

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This month's  Story Behind the Photo article features two perspectives of an eagle ray taken by dive buddy David Robertson and myself.
  
If you have a photo with an interesting story or would like to share a good dive yarn, let me know at [email protected] and I'll be happy to include your story in a future issue.
  
If you know someone who would enjoy reading Sea-gram, perhaps a friend in need of an overdue "dive fix," please forward Sea-gram to your buddy, using the link at the end of the newsletter.
 
To view past Sea-grams click our ARCHIVE link below:

I hope you enjoy Sea-gram !
  
Sincerely,
Paul J. Mila
MilaBooks.com
516-578-1482 
  Conservation Corner . . .
          Sea Turtles Challenged   
Most species of sea turtles: Greens, Loggerheads, Hawksbills, Leatherbacks, and Kemps Ridley, are already classified as "Endangered" or Critically Endangered."

Plastic Pollution is one major challenge. 

This sea turtle probably think's this plastic bag is a jelly fish.
The plastic will clog the digestive track and kill the turtle.
  

Plastic six-pack rings can injure both land and sea turtles.


The Salt Water Brewery, a Florida-based craft beer producer, has invented edible six-pack beer holders that are safe for sea turtles and other sea creatures to eat. 

Check out this amazing video story:
Edible Six-pack rings save sea life
Edible Six-pack rings save sea life

Global Warming: another challenge for sea turtles.



 Story Behind the Photo(s) . . .
                   Twin Shot
                               By Paul Mila, Carle Place, NY
Our group was diving with Alison on Paso De Cedral Reef in Cozumel, about 60 feet deep. It was December, prime eagle ray season, and the rays did not disappoint. David Robertson got into good, close position to take a beautiful shot of a large eagle ray as it slowly cruised along the sandy bottom. 
 
David said, "I got the shot by chasing after the ray and burning up 500 lbs of air!
David Robertson Photo

I was too far away to get a good shot of the eagle ray, but I  captured both David and the ray as he took his photo. 
David Robertson, shooting his eagle ray. Paul Mila Photo

These two photos provide a good lesson for all underwater photographers. The three main rules of underwater photography are:
 1. Get close, 2. Get closer, and 3. Get even closer!

Photo Equipment:
Paul: SeaLife DC2000 Camera using ambient light & wide-angle lens.
David: Sea&Sea Camera with YS-40 strobe.
About MilaBooks.com
www.milabooks.com  
is your home for exciting dive adventure novels, non-fiction dive stories, children's books,  and YouTube videos featuring various ocean creatures.     
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Click the reading dolphin and swim into our website
   My newest dive adventure novel: Killer In
 Paradise.  
Click on the cover for ordering information:
 
Thanks for visiting, and we'll see you next month!
Paul J. Mila    
  
  Paul in Cozumel
MilaBooks.com
75 Titus Avenue
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-578-1482
 
To forward Sea-gram to a friend, please click the "Forward email" link below.

Conservation Corner: 

 

Plastic Pollution & Global Warming Threaten Sea Turtles

 

                      Story lower left column.
  
Quick Links
         
Updates & Miscellaneous Features
  
Timeout for Some Laughs
 
Signs That Make Us Giggle
When traveling abroad we often come upon signs that give us a laugh, intentionally or not.  But they all mean well. 
Here are a couple:

  The message is clear: "Don't Driks & Drive!"


My Favorite!
  
Can't make it any more clear than that!

Jerry Seinfeld discusses SCUBA Diving

Every so often we come across a cartoon that's too funny not to share

 Orca Family Decision
  
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New Children's Book!

Diver, artist, underwater photographer, and now author  Barbara Petersen  has just released her first children's book, 
If Fish Could Talk,
published by Best Publishing Company: www.bestpub.com

Barbara's stunning photography and entertaining poetry is guaranteed to stimulate young minds to wonder what fish would say if they really could talk.

Click on the photo of Barbara holding her book for ordering information:

















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For The Latest 
Scuba Industry Buzz
Check Out: 

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 Sea Shepherd Update

For more information on Sea Shepherd's latest conservation activities visit their website:

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Great Scuba Blog
Jill Smith, one of our friends north of the border in Canada, writes an interesting dive blog featuring underwater photo tips and dive adventures.  Take a look:
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Visit my fun dive site, where you can rent my beachfront condo, view great dive photos, and more!

 
Check out the view from my condo:
Morning at the Residencias Reef Beachfront Condo
Morning at the Residencias Reef
Beachfront Condo

  Fulvio manages my  Little Slice of Paradise. 
For other properties that Fulvio manages visit his site:
 
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New York Diving 
Scuba Network of Long Island
Sales, Service, Basic & Advanced Dive Instruction,
Local Diving & Exotic Dive Trips

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For the best in Cozumel diving, 
check out dive operator Alison Dennis:
 
Looking for your own 
Slice of Paradise?
Contact Nancy Edwards at: 
  or
Jaime Ramirez, at:
   
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Available Links!
Post a link to your web site on Sea-gram!
E-mail [email protected]
 for details.
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