Tikehau pass: spotting tiger sharks by drone on the right tide
The pass at Tikehau already feels exceptionally full of life compared to other passes in the area, but there is a specific spot within it where tiger sharks appear, and they only show up reliably on a certain tide. Lauren had been launching her drone every day during that tidal window without success. On the day she almost did not bother because of the wind, she went anyway and found what she was 90 percent sure was a tiger shark. Using the drone to locate the animals before entering the water was key to finally getting on them.
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Lauren's shark expertise came from years of diving, captaining, and spearfishing with sharks
Lauren's comfort in the water with sharks is not accidental. She grew up visiting the Bahamas every year, which she describes as very sharky. When she went to college in Florida, she began working on a shark diving boat off the Florida coas
Search filming versus channel filming: two very different drone techniques
When using a drone to actively hunt for wildlife, the approach is fundamentally different from shooting polished footage for a YouTube channel. In search mode, Lauren Landers Sailing is not controlling movements for cinematic effect; the pr
Drone battery and altitude management during an extended wildlife search
During a wildlife search flight, Lauren Landers Sailing keeps an eye on both altitude and battery level simultaneously. At 40 metres (about 120 to 130 feet) the drone still provides a useful overview, but for spotting smaller species like b