Robert's Ramblings

I have just had the pleasure of spending the last two days diving with my new Japanese friends, Yuko, Hiroko and Masashi, who all made a special trip to Adelaide in South Australia to see our wonderful Leafy Seadragons.

Two things that always go through your mind when organising to dive somewhere are that you hope that the weather will be nice, and you hope that you get to see or do what you are planning.

The same goes for those who host such dives. We always want to show off South Australian diving in its best possible light. I had been very stressed in the days leading up to these dives as South Australia had just experienced some of its worst weather in years. Our beautiful waters had turned into silty chaos and the sea was looking decidedly uninviting. As luck would have it, the two days we had planned turned out to be the calm between two storms. We at least got blue sky and gentle seas, but the visibility would be a challenge.

We spent a day at Rapid Bay and a day at Victor Harbor. Although visibility ranged from 1-3 metres both days, that did not stop Yuko and Masashi from going camera crazy and being the cause of future Leafy cataracts with their strobes. I do not envy them the backscatter they will have to peer through when they get home. Hiroko was happy to just look on; I'm sure I heard her squeal with delight on more than one occasion.

Thirteen beautiful Leafy Seadragons and one stunning Weedy Seadragon; result, three ecstatic Japanese guests taking photos and stories home.

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 ISO200 Inon UWL100-28AD Lens, Natural Light