the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montauk, NY – In an exhilarating and rare event, drone photographer Joanna L. Steidle captured stunning footage of a great white shark swimming unusually close to shore in Montauk, New York, on Monday, May 12. Known for her aerial wildlife photography, Steidle described the sighting as her earliest great white encounter in eight years of filming the area.
“We are going to need a bigger boat,” joked Steidle, echoing the famous line from Jaws as the footage shows the massive shark gliding effortlessly through the shallows.
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A Rare & Early Sighting
Steidle shared that this was not only the earliest sighting she has recorded in the season but also the closest to the shoreline she’s ever observed a great white in Montauk. Her video, which has since gained traction online, underscores the increasing presence of apex predators along the East Coast during warmer months.
🎬 Credit: Joanna L. Steidle via Storyful
Understanding the Great White Shark Threat
While shark sightings are often met with alarm, it’s essential to understand the biology and behavior of these formidable creatures.
Built for the Hunt: Why Great Whites Are So Dangerous
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Massive Size: Can grow over 20 feet long and weigh more than 4,000 pounds.
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Crushing Bite Force: Among the strongest of any animal, capable of breaking bones and damaging boats.
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Agility and Speed: Despite their size, great whites are incredibly fast and maneuverable in the water.
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Sensory Power: Equipped with electroreception and an acute sense of smell to detect prey from miles away.
Human Encounters: Mistakes and Curiosity
The Mistaken Identity Theory
Many experts believe that most attacks on humans occur because sharks mistake surfers or swimmers for seals, especially from below. A surfboard’s silhouette can look like a seal — a favorite meal of the great white.
Exploratory Bites
Great whites are naturally curious. Like dogs, they sometimes “test” unknown objects with their mouths. These exploratory bites can still cause serious harm despite not being predatory.
Rare But Aggressive Behavior
Though extremely rare, great white sharks can behave aggressively due to:
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Territorial instincts
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Food competition
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Individual temperament
Even experienced divers report encounters as both awe-inspiring and fear-inducing due to the shark’s piercing black eyes, razor-sharp teeth, and sheer power.
The Role of Media: Fear vs. Reality
Pop culture has painted great whites as mindless monsters — a myth fueled by movies like Jaws. While fear is natural, scientists emphasize that shark attacks remain extremely rare, and great whites typically do not seek out humans as prey.
Still, their unpredictability, size, and predatory prowess make them creatures to respect, especially in areas where sightings are on the rise.
Shark Safety Tips for Coastal Areas
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Stay in groups when swimming.
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Avoid wearing shiny jewelry or bright clothing.
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Don’t swim near seal colonies or during dawn/dusk.
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Pay attention to local advisories and lifeguard instructions.
Watch the Drone Footage:
Stay tuned to Joanna L. Steidle’s social media for more footage and updates on wildlife in Montauk waters.
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Not terribly likely at Graydon! Buy your season badge now!
Maybe a duckling. But they don’t eat people. Usually.