This lady was a little wild……

400 million years of evolution has turned the Mako Shark into a true Apex predator. It’s torpedo like shape gives it speed and stealth. Its strong muscles provide incredible acceleration and its long pectoral fins allow it to change direction in an instant.

This beautiful ~10ft Maco must have wanted to show off her speed and agility. She raced around the boat at incredible speed nibbling on everything in sight. Her needle like teeth protruded out of her mouth giving her a menacing look. These teeth are designed to hold onto small slippery prey like fish and squid but are also capable of ripping up larger prey like other sharks and small marine mammals.

Despite her menacing look, this shark was not acting aggressive. She was just investigating all the strange objects that were floating around in her environment.

I encountered this Maco off the south coast of Australia where Maco sharks are rarely seen or photographed. I don’t like to use the word “luck” when referring to one of my images, but chance does play a part. What seems like “luck” required weeks of research and preparation, countless hours of travel, days in rough seas fighting off nausea, wind, sunburn and agitation upon waiting for an opportunity to jump into frigid waters with an incredible creature. Even after all of that you often only  get one or two brief opportunities when the shark passes close enough to capture something special.

But all the hard work was totally worth it!! Just looking at this photo raises my heart rate a few beats per minute and brings back nostalgic feelings of this incredible and exhilarating encounter.

I do wonder upon reflection what she encountered in the depths of the sea to cause the cuts and abrasion on her head.