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FLIP NICKLIN//
Before I’d ever seen my first whale
underwater, I’d been warned about the legal and political
issues involved in working around endangered whales. Even
so, I jumped into this challenge happily. I never dreamed it
would lead to a life’s work. Neither did National Geographic,
for upon submitting my first whale story proposal to them in
1980, I was told, “No, we think we have done enough whale
stories.” Happily, that opinion changed; I’ve done 18 whale
stories since.
It was a tremendous advantage for me going into the
diving and whale worlds as Chuck’s son. He is a pioneer
in both and a great talent, but far more important, he is a
really decent guy. I learned at my father’s knee that people
and relationships were more important than success or
“stuff.” I still admire, maybe more than ever, my dad’s smile
and style. The fact he is a world-class cinematographer and
did some very early and groundbreaking films with whales
didn’t hurt either.
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