Robert's Ramblings

A recurring theme in conversations with successful individuals is some defining moment, an 'aha' moment often prompted by a saying or a quote. Suddenly veils and obstructions vanish and what needs to be done becomes clear to achieve your gaols.

Jennifer Liston in her post 'Revelationary Statements', shares one of those moments. Read about Jennifer's 'Aha' moment at http://www.wordsworx.com and share your own experience.

More of my thoughts and insights on innovation, creativity and business can be found at - http://www.innovation-mentor.com

I dive with Leafy Seadragons often as part of being a tour guide for visitors to Adelaide who want to experience them for themselves. So far I count myself lucky that I've never disappointed anyone and have always been able to find them.

Following my last 'Leafy' dive, a group of us were discussing these creatures and how to find them. We all agreed that until you actually see your first Leafy, you have no idea what you are looking for. They are true masters of camouflage. All the photographs in the world do not prepare you for how they really look in their natural surroundings. As soon as you see your first one for real, it becomes somewhat easier.

When I was asked how do I find them, my first reply was that they are obvious. Of course this is not a very useful answer to anyone at all. I thought about it a little more and I came to realise that familiarity is everything. While I am diving, I look for those places where I know Leafys like to be. They like to be tucked in close to their surroundings, yet still free to move about quickly. They like to be in opportunistic locations, where plankton-like animals are likely to swim by in swarms. They don't mind a little surge as long as the surge deosn't separate them from their cover. They don't like ledges or dark places because there is not much for them to eat. So I pretend I am a Leafy Seadragon, I look for a cosy little broad-leafed spot with plenty of passer-by morsels. More often than not I will find one already there!

This photo was taken at Victor Harbor last weekend and as usual, stunning and beautiful.

Jennifer has written a short log about about the dive at her 'Dive Blog' so please visit her site and leave a note at http://scubacailin.blogspot.com/2009/02/dive-133-lovin-local-leafies.html

Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that's what you do! ) ...Robert

Photo: Robert Rath C7070 1/90s at f/4.8 ISO100, Inon UCL165AD Macro Lens, Inon D2000 Strobe + Natural Light

The Smooth Stingray, Dasyatis brevicaudata, grows up to 2m across and 4.3m in length making it the largest of all Australian stingrays. This fellow who we dubbed 'Mr Ray' was at least 1.5m across and was the highlight of our first dive in Edithburgh last Saturday. Mr Ray was quite curious about us and buzzed us a few times during the dive usually by sneaking up from behind and scaring the daylights out of us!

This first dive set the scene for a great underwater photography course with Mark, Bel, Peter, Jennifer and myself. With the recent hot weather we have been having here in South Australia the water temperature is way up. 25 degC made for almost tropical diving and all of us lamented our limited air and camera battery life. We all could have stayed underwater the entire weekend!

Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that's what you do! ) ...Robert

Photo: Robert Rath C7070 1/90s at f/2.8 ISO80 Inon UWL100-28AD Lens, Natural Light