The October

Sea-gram

from MilaBooks.com

For ocean lovers, divers,

and "deep-thinkers."

The "Big Boy" of Dalila Reef

Paul Mila photo, Cozumel, Mexico (c)

Featured Creature

The Great Barracuda

This month's Featured Creature is the Great Barracuda, inspired by our close encounter in the headline photo above, taken on Cozumel's Dalila Reef.

Their scientific name is Sphyraenidea Barracuda. They are

commonly found throughout the Caribbean, but have been seen as far north as Massachusetts, and as far south as Brazil.

Barracuda can grow up to six feet, and when they work their jaws showing off their pointy dentures, they are impressive fish to observe -- especially when they're observing YOU! But the jaw movement aids their respiration, it is not a threat indicator.

Paul Mila Photo (c)



Barracuda prefer sushi to prime rib, so unless a nearsighted barracuda mistakes your shiny bracelet for fish scales, you should be safe. They are curious and actually shy. They will usually move away from you, unless you run across a barracuda that is feeling territorial that day. it does happen!

Paul Mila Photo (c)

But before you get complacent, take a look at this brutal attack I photographed years ago on Cozumel's Cedral Pass, when two barracuda zoomed in and finished off a wounded fish being attacked by its neighbors!

FYI, dive instructor Alison Dennis, wearing her trademark Bozo dive cap, is holding a brand new diver by the hand!

The video went viral and has over one million views!

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Another Cozumel Adventure!

When it comes to scuba diving, Cozumel never disappoints! We enjoyed 80+foot visibility, with a bottom temperature of 82 degrees. Enjoy some of these photos, and the video highlights.

Dive buddy Fulvio enjoyed hanging out with this lobster.

Was Fulvio really going to tickle that shark?

Dive buddy Tim Quinn had a close encounter with this very large barracuda, the same one in our headline photo!

Enjoy this 4-minute highlight video of our week of diving, set to the music of Enya!

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These palm trees framed a perfect Mexican sunset!

The Authors' Corner

Do You Love Caribbean Wreck Diving?

Check out

WRECK HEAVEN,

Shipwrecks of the Caribbean

by diving author Jason Giannaras,

published by Best Publishng Company.

This colorful "coffee table" book features great photos, along with location maps, and other interesting details about the wrecks you can visit.

For More Information, Click On The Book Cover:

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For Exciting Beach Reads, click:

Click on the Tropical Authors logo below

and dive into adventures

from our other Tropical Authors!

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Funny Photo Department

This gringo obviously had too much Cozumel tequila at Coconuts, a famous lunch hangout on Cozumel's west-coast, featuring some interesting signs!

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Other Fun Things to Check out!

My beachfront studio condo in Cozumel, Mexico is available for rent.

Perfect for your romantic getaway or dive vacation!

For additional details please visit:

Cozumel Is Paradise

Also call 516-578-1482

or email me at pjmila@hotmail.com

Loggerhead Marinelife Center Update

There's always something exciting going on at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Check out:

Marinelife.org

Discover the

Coastal Discovery Museum,

Hilton Head, SC.

You can adopt a

sea turtle nest,

and so much more!

Click on the

sea turtle hatchlings

for more information

Two Great Dive Industry Sources of Information:

Ben Davison's Undercurrent Magazine

Scott Jones' Dive Newswire

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For the best

New York Area and

World-Wide Diving

www.scubadiversusa.com

In Avon New Jersey, visit Divers Two

www.diverstwo.com

For the best

Cozumel diving

contact:

Scubawithalison.com

For West Coast &

Pacific Diving:

DolphinScuba.com

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Fulvio manages my 

Little Slice of Paradise. 

For other properties that Fulvio manages, visit:

Fulvio's Cozumel Rentals

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About MilaBooks.com

Your home for exciting dive adventure novels, nonfiction, children's books, and YouTube videos.

Just click on the reading dolphin, and swim around our website for more information.

C

Thanks for visiting;

we'll see you next month!

Paul J. Mila

MilaBooks.com

12 Portchester Drive

Jackson, NJ 08527

516-578-1482