After lowering gear all morning from the extreme heat of the Yucatan Peninsula, into the depths of this cenote, my partner @cristinamittermeier takes a dip into the cool waters in this beautiful cavernous swimming hole. I had already framed up the Mayan skulls for a shot with the shafts of light and loved how this serendipitous and tender moment appeared connecting the surface world with the dark secrets of an eerie past. There are no above ground rivers in the Yucatan and all the water runs through and underground maze of subterranean rivers. Occasionally, the ground breaks to reveal one of these waterways to form beautiful cenotes. Dozens of tourists swim here every day completely unaware of the large ancient Mayan burial site just below the surface. Ancient Maya believed that the rain god Chaak resided in caves and natural wells called cenotes and that is where they buried the human sacrifices they made to call for rain. As I approach 1 million followers on @paulnicklen I can’t express my gratitude enough for the chance to work for the best journalistic publication in the world. Thank you @natgeo for all of life changing opportunities to explore, photograph and share stories from the most remote corners of the planet. I am also grateful for the incredible people I get to work with and most of all, I am grateful to all of the wildlife that has allowed me to tell their story. Please #follow me as we pursue the next chapter of this journey and share those images and stories on #instagram #gratitude #nature #wildlife #keepitwild #@natgeo @thephotosociety @natgeocreative #love #beauty #love #culture #diving #rebreather #light by natgeo http://ift.tt/1JkPQgY – Gatlinburg Garden Castle Rainbow Tower Library Imagination Station Temple Water Spirit Guardian Labyrinth Treasury Magic Healing