Along the coast of California are great underwater forests of macrosystis kelp. Among the unique marine ecosystems on Earth, like the terrestrial forests animals live up in the canopy, on the trunk and along the bottom.  The article will cover the state of California, profiling marine life from the warm, temperate areas in Southern California to the central coast where the environment changes from a sandy bottom to a more rough and rocky coastline. Marine mammals such as elephant seals and sea otters live here as well as their main predator, the great white shark. Further up in Northern California the enviroment changes again, animals you would find up in colder climates such as wolf eels and giant octopus are found. The macrosystis is replaced by forests of bull kelp, a marine plant with a long stem, and giant leaves hanging from a basketball sized float laying on the surface. The story will also cover scuba diving in a kelp forest, businesses that harvest kelp for algine (a suspension agent) and kelp leaves for aquaculture. It will also profile the kelp forest tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Scientists will be interviewed describing the biology and ecology of the marine environment.

    PLEASE NOTE:  The images in the KELP FOREST section on thiis site were taken on film. Digital images will accompany the finished article. 

     The most isolated spot on Earth, Easter Island is famous for it's moai's, the mysterious stone idols that decorate the coast and hillsides. Beyond the rocky shoreline is a region little known to the outside world. The waters surrounding the island are among the clearest in the world (200 foot visibility is not uncommon) and great concentrations of coral and unique marine life. With a population of only 4,000 and with no heavy industry or fishing Easter Island has one of the last intact coral ecosystems left in the world. 25% of all marine life are endemic to the island. Some of the largest coral formations are found here including one of the biggest, a 16 foot sized ball of coral known as Kare Nui Nui. The article will profile the marine life as well as scuba diving to explore such unique sites as the underwater cave system called, The Lost Arch, Motu Kao Kao, a 400 foot rock tower jutting out from the sea and various coral displays. The text will also include some of the history of the island, diving exploration (including a visit from Jacques Cousteau in the 1970's) and a scientific profile of the marine environment.

     PLEASE NOTE: I first visited Easter Island in 2001. For two weeks I dove several times per day taking photographs. I know the island well, the dive sites, the people and the island dive operations. The images in the EASTER ISLAND UNDERWATER section were taken on film. Digital images will accompany the finished article.

      The Monterey Peninsula of located on California's central coast. A physically unique area, mountainous in nature and surrounded by a rocky coastline of secluded coves. Marine scientists have told me there is every marine environment here except coral reefs and mangrove swamps. Thick kelp forests cover the underwater landscape. Marine mammals such as sea otters, sea lions, elephant seals, whales and dolphins make their home in the water and along the shore of the Monterey Bay. This is the southern most portion of the Red Triangle, the greatest concentration of great white sharks in the world. Thousands of monarch butterflies gather in the coastal eucalyptus groves. Roaming the hills are mountain lions, raccoons, possums & black-tailed deer. Steelhead trout swim in coastal streams. California condors soar along the high cliffs above the ocean. But this But country is not just for animals. There are four communities on the peninsula: MONTEREY, once the capital of California is home to Fisherman's Wharf, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck's novel (East of Eden figures here too). Monterey is also home to the Defense Language Institute, the Naval Postgraduate School, Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station and the Monterey Jazz Festival. PACIFIC GROVE, founded by Methodists in the 19th century, has been called, "America's Last Home Town," a beautiful coast of flowering ice plant, hauled out harbor seals, and the Point Pinos lighthouse. PEBBLE BEACH, known for it's famous golf courses, the AT&T Pro-Am golf tournament, the Concourse d'Elegance international car show, $35 million dollar homes, the iconic "Lone Cypress," made famous by Ansel Adams' photograph. And Pebble's most famous resident, Clint Eastwood (I'll get an interview). CARMEL, formally an artist colony is a one mile square ocean village where Jack London wrote stories and Robinson Jeffers created poetry. Doris Day's Cypress Inn is a popular overnight destination with visitors. Dogs are allowed to roam untethered on the white sands of Carmel Beach. Carmel hosts the Bach Festival, the International Sandcastle Competition, the Carmel Mission, the finish to the Big Sur Marathon, and the unique beauty of Point Lobos State Reserve. The article will feature the history of the peninsula, the natural history, the towns and the people, both past and present.

     PLEASE NOTE: I have lived on the Monterey Peninsula for over 20 years. I have thousands of photographs, hundreds of stories and know everybody.

     Dear Editors,

                               The first time I sent images to National Geographic magazine was about 16 years ago. Susan Smith, the assistant photo editor said she liked my work but thought I needed more experience. Since that time I've gained that experience photographing all over the world and being published in many international periodicals. My images have been exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and recently I've become a featured photographer for NIKON.  I've kept in touch with the Geographic, mostly thourgh Trish Dorsey. I came close to getting an image published in your Visions of Earth section a few years ago, until they changed editors. I've gained the experience, I've paid my dues. Isn't there some assignment, no matter how small that you guys can give me, just to show you what I can do?

                                                                                            Peter Hemming