diver almost swallowed by whale shark

[deadrats]

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/whale-shark-swim-1311371866-slideshow/

i do a lot of deep sea fishing and have seen one of these things up close and personal; it's one thing to see it in pictures, it's another to see it live and in person; i was on a 32ft boat, about 100 miles off the coast of new jersey when one of these swam maybe 10 feet bellow the surface, right next to the boat; it had to be a good 36 footer as it was longer than the vessel i was on, quite a thrill to see it in person, lucky they aren't carnivores.

[ranchhand]

I used to do a lot of diving when I was younger...dived most of the reefs in Florida, Central America, etc. One thing my certification instructor pounded into my head: "Have a deep respect for Ma' nature - she doesn't like to be taken for granted and will do you in real quick when you forget that". After a couple of near-misses I decided I better believe him. That diver probably wanted to get a picture and almost lost his life.