11th PHOTOGRAPHIC MEETINGS OF ILES D'OR

The Hyères association “Déclic Bleu Méditerranée” organized for the 11th consecutive time the “Golden Islands Photographic Meetings” on April 6, 2013 in the magical waters of Port-Cros. About fifteen photographers accompanied by their favorite pair were at the rendezvous in the small port of Salins d'Hyères. 8 o'clock in the morning for a coffee-croissant before boarding the “Odyssée” boat of the “Espace Mer” club The Neptunian weather forecast, releasing its sheep on the sea meadows and a few showers barely sufficient to overflow the goldfish bowl , failed to shade the good morale of participants and organizers.

After a very precise briefing from Philippe Bernardi, Grand Pasha of the ship, concerning the behavior of underwater photographers to adopt on a protected site, a first dive at Pointe de Montrémian, to the north-west of the island of Bagaud, a offered photographers its usual placid capons, a few yawning morays and spring obliges, the dazzling colors of all the labrids during the breeding season. Between Posidonia meadows, rocky ridges and its famous “ski slope” (45 ° sandy slope), the site has nothing to envy to the all too famous “Gabinière”.
The interlude "snack" in the cove of the port of Port-Cros, leaving the coolers loaded by the "Déclic" team, allowed some to apprehend the second afternoon dive on the "Dalles de Bagaud. ”And for others, less inclined to put on wet wetsuits again, to embark on a bucolic and instructive escapade towards the fort of“ L'Estissac ”. Nicolas Ponzone of the archaeological association of Hyères "AREVPAM" and Hervé Colombini, President emeritus of "Déclic Bleu Méditerranée", were able to share, each in their chosen field, the fabulous history of the island of Port-Cros.
Cherry on a cake of pleasure, the participants of this eleventh meeting were able, thanks to the warm welcome and the infrastructures of the only diving club "Sun diving", spend the evening and the night in Port-Cros. Each, around a giant paella, was able to present in projection his most beautiful underwater photographs and to share his passion.

Hervé, Nicolas, Dominique, Yann and Thierry will give you a new appointment in 2014 to perpetuate these moments of happiness.

Text: Hervé Colombini