Robert's Ramblings

You could be forgiven in thinking this gothic style church hidden away in the side streets of Mallow is old. At nearly 200 years it is old by shopping mall standards but not nearly as old as many other churches in Ireland. Still, despite its age, the immaculate condition is a credit to to those entrusted with its upkeep for all those years.

When I came to photograph Saint James' Church I was initially disappointed that it was not lit up like many other significant churches. Very quickly I realised just how much of a blessing this turned out to be.

A moody overcast sky lit by both moonlight and by town light created a very sacred feel here as I let long exposure bring shrouded details into view on the walls, windows and spire.

I left feeling quite privileged and pondering the pride its worshipers must feel in this beautiful old building.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'The Church of Saint James', 30s f/7.1 ISO500 17mm

I can think of any of number of reasons why I might not.

It's late at night.
The ally is narrow and very confined.
Dodgy looking doorways with who knows what's lurking behind.
Less than robust looking scaffolding.
Dark cloaked figures.

I can think of any of number of reasons why I might.

A shortcut between places.
A respite from the heavy rain.
Local pubs hidden away from transient visitors.
Photographic possibilities.

... under the Clock Tower in the Irish town of Mallow.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Walk This Way', 0.8s f/6.3 ISO400 17mm

Back in December we had the good fortune to experience an Irish Christmas.

I can't begin to describe the differences between a wet Irish Winter and a hot Adelaide summer but needless to say there was considerable culture readjustment in both directions.

This blustery evening in Galway on Ireland's west coast ended in us getting drenched to the core with a valuable lesson in dressing for the climate, ... a lesson for next time!

On our return we experienced the surreal of both a European Winter and an Australian Summer in the same day. It grounds me in the fact that all of these different worlds are one in the same, ... our world.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'A Different World', 1/100s f/14 ISO100 100mm

This is the kind of image I could show my mother and she'd be none the wiser as to what she was looking at. If she really knew what was going on here she'd probably blush and respond with a 'that's nice dear'.

These Lined Dumpling Squid ,also know as Pyjama Squid (Sepioloidea lineolata), are obviously engaged in a private activity but unlike most humans they do not seem to care one little bit about my photographic intrusion.
I can say however that their closed eyes has more to do with my blinding lights rather than them being in the moment.

We saw about ten pyjama squid on this recent Edithburgh night. It is wonderful to see so many of these critters out and about and the variety of their nocturnal activities.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Pyjama Love', 1/100s f/14 ISO100 100mm

It might be the first light of a Lake Killarney dawn but there is nothing tranquil or serene here.

The battered shoreline strewn with debris and the dirty brown froth, barely visible in the gloomy half light, hints at night's fury now abating.

If I wait long enough tranquility might return but I don't like my chances.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'First Light', 1/25s f/9 ISO320 15mm

Before I started diving I expected all the fish living in temperate waters to be silvery and those in tropical waters to be colourful.

My logic was simple, I'd only every caught silvery fish with my dad while growing up and I'd only ever seen brightly coloured fish in marine documentaries of tropical locations.

I can't say enough how glad I was to discover my logic was just a little flawed.

This juvenile Victorian Scalyfin (Parma victoriae), of the same family as tropical butterfly fish, was one of the first I discovered to be as bright and colorful as its tropical cousins.

From there the colour kept on coming as I discovered just how colourful the fish of our temperate waters really were.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Aquatic Butterfly', 1/200s f/4.5 ISO160 50mm

There is an imaginary line running through the north of South Australia called Goyder's Line which it was determined that farming above the line would be unviable to early settlers.

Following a long period of yearly above average rainfall many farmers decided to shun the warning and establish cropping farmland well to the north of the no-go boundary. In almost every case, nature had the last say in the matter and reclaimed its own back.

The ruins of this abandoned farmhouse near Hawker in South Australia's mid-north are a repeated sight all over this region. A poignant reminder that nature takes no prisoners.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'No Prisoners', 1/250s f/6.3 ISO100 70mm

If there is one lesson I have learned in creating images is the simple act of showing up. Sometimes, showing up is easy, other times it borders on a sheer act of will against everything going against you!

I had one morning opportunity to visit the beautiful lakes region of Killarney in Ireland on my own such that I was free to go where I wanted and spend as much time as I liked. The weather had not looked good the days leading up and the forecast was not much better. Still I dragged myself out into the car in the rain, the wind and the pitch black winter's morning and set out on the hour long drive from were we were staying.

When I arrived at the shore of Lake Killarney it was still pitch black, raining and blowing a gale and I nearly drove into the lake thinking I was crossing a ford, that's how miserable it was. It was then I realised I was still on continental Europe time and it would be a long wait before there would any light at all.

To cut a long story short it eventually stopped raining, the wind started to ease off and then well into the morning light the clouds miraculously thinned away and then the sun rose over Lake Killarney.

I'm glad I showed up for this one.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Killarney Dawn', 1/320s f/16 ISO160 29mm

Features almost hidden in the glowing gold of sunset, almost a silhouette but just enough light to make out the texture of the seagull's feathers.

This is a special time of the evening to be down on the beach watching the world fly by.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Fly By', 1/5000s f/2.8 ISO400 200mm

All divers who venture into the world of macro photography have a story or two about the giant bull ray or the swimming elephant that swam on up, peered over their shoulder, wondered for moment what ever could be that small and still be interesting before of swimming off again. Usually the first the diver even hears about the swimming elephant or the school of tuna they missed is from his or her excited buddy during debriefing over drinks.

This is my love hate relationship with the world of the macro. This time however the stingray rested quietly as I crept up, inching closer and closer, belly dragging through the sand.

That watchful eye never left me as we both wondered how close we could push it. Finally I dared not get any closer and captured that beautiful stingray gaze watching, wondering and waiting.

With that I crept back again creating space between us before rising and swimming away leaving nothing but belly scrapes in the sand and an undisturbed repose.


Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Watching Waiting Wondering' 1/160s f/22 ISO400 100mm

I immensely dislike the expression 'low hanging fruit' but when it comes to naturally photogenic, patient, and easy to photograph critters then hermit crabs fit the category.

This Hermit Crab (Paguristes frontalisi) under Edithburgh Jetty is wearing a shell that is probably a new acquisition and watching it struggle around with a shell two sizes too big borders on the comical.

Looking at the way the leading edge of the shell has been cracked away I'd say the most recent tenant made some futile attempts at home renovation before abandoning it in search of a larger home.

For now this guy has room to shake, rattle and space to grow.


Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Shake, Rattle and Grow', 1/100s f16 ISO400 100mm

Our most common nudibranch (well at least I think it is) is Ceratosoma brevicaudatum and I still have no idea if it has a common name.

It's big as far as nudibranchs go. It is bright orange which makes it visible from meters away. Yet still many divers swim right on by.

I will confess that it was more than 20 years before I saw my first nudibranch. Quite simply, if it wasn't swimming, I didn't see it.

Underwater photography has completely changed the way I dive and the things I see diving. I'd recommend taking a camera underwater to all new divers once they have gained some water confidence.

Nudibranachs are just one of the many critters that have brought the little things underwater to life for me.


Photo: Robert Rath, ‘The Little Things', 1/160s f8 ISO100 100mm

Happy Valentine's Day!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Valentine Rose' 2.3s f/2.8 ISO200 100mm

I have photographed hunting Blacklip Abalone (Haliotis rubra), at Port Noarlunga before and commented on their utterly mad night time appearance of green eyes, tentacles and snailfish encrusted shell.

Observing images like this afterwards is always an eye opening lesson in observation for me. While photographing this guy, all I noticed as the abalone made its way across the reef was the abalone. On closer scrutiny, looking at a larger image in the comfort of sitting at my desk, I noticed something more. Can you see that this abalone is on the menu for dinner? It will not be a human that consumes this delicacy this evening but the stalking octopus creeping up from behind!

Next time I will be on the lookout for the bigger story unfolding in the scene.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Abalone on the Menu' 1/160s f/22 ISO400 100mm

Just like looking out for overhead power lines it pays to look up when diving.

We teach new divers that they should never put themselves into a position where they can not make an immediate ascent to the surface if they come into difficulty.

It's all very well to be taught to be a good dive buddy, to be vigilant and always at the ready to assist your dive buddy should a problem arise but how often is that vigilance really put to the test.

More often than not when a manageable crisis arises, divers head straight up regardless of their buddy.

So remember to look up, there may be danger overhead.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Danger Overhead', 1/160s f/22 ISO320 15mm

The Tasmanian Blenny, (Parablennius tasmanianus), is one of those wonderful little critters which can make you smile or even laugh underwater.

Cute, cheeky and full of attitude they will play peek-a-boo with a diver and camera for as long as your patience or tolerance to cold water will last.

This little guy had a cosy little niche in a jetty pylon under Edithburgh Jetty surrounded by a garden of corals, sponges, scallops and algae. The best part for him is that the garden looks after itself!

Next time you spot a blenny on a dive take the time to have a little fun with it. I am sure you will end up with a grin behind your mask.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Benny', 1/100s f/14 ISO400 50mm

Can you just imagine for a moment at the end of each tentacle a pair of eyes, a mouth and fangs!? Good thing it's not Medusa or I might have become too heavy to swim back to the surface again.

Anemones are usually associated tropical waters, large masses of waving tentacles and cute little anemone fish darting in and out of view. Anemones are however as widespread as there is ocean.

This wonderful little creature perched atop a razor fish is just one of the many species we have here in local South Australian coastal waters.

The minimal number of translucent tentacles, that granular column wall and the velvety oral disk make this anemone just as gorgeous as its tropical cousins and a real little monster.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Medusa', 1/160s f/22 ISO400 100mm

Back home again and what better place to jump back into local water again than a midnight dive at Port Noarlunga.

The visibility was not great, there was some surge and a strong current but nothing stopping another great macro photography session.

There was not much critter action around aside from a huge amount of shellfish mating taking place in the southern weedbeds. My original plan for the dive was to find and photograph nudibranchs but my tally for the night was a big zero.

One highlight of my dive was this awesomely colourful Southern Dumpling Squid, Euprymna tasmanicas. The amazing colours in the dumpling squid are due to the chromataphores in the skin. Using the chromataphores the dumpling squid is able to change its colours to either camouflage or make itself aggressive as needs arise. On a dark night the squid's chromataphores resume this natural colourful state captured in the camera's strobe.

After a very pleasant 2 hours underwater we surfaced to an abandoned jetty, no jetty lights and a starry night sky.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Creature of Colours', 1/160s f/22 ISO400 100mm

Most sea slugs do not have common names and the fact that we call them nudibranchs is a nice way to divorce ourselves from the idea of their not so pretty, slimy green garden cousins.

If this little critter had a common name it might be the Splendid Nudibranch but in the literature it is just known as Goniobranchus splendidus.

This species of nudibranch was the very first I saw dropping beneath the water on our Fly Point night dive at Nelson Bay. We saw many of them in the first 2-4m of water so it seems in this location they like the shallows more than deeper water.

It's always exciting meeting a new critter on a dive but at the same time there is a sense of detachment not knowing anything about it, not even its name. For me creating an image and then later taking the time to learn a little more about its name, its habitat and its behaviors is just as rewarding as the dive itself.

Thank you Splendid One for posing for me and teaching me a little more about your world.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'The Splendid One', 1/100s f/22 ISO400 100mm

This male Eastern Gobbleguts (Vincentia novaehollandiae) might look like the perfect husband. He will take full responsibility for his future newborns from the moment the female lays her large egg mass.

He will protect them from predators, he will regularly roll them about to keep them fresh and aerated and he will have you believe that for the entire incubation period he will abstain from eating.

The truth is that every now and then the gobbleguts does swallow and he may not be so hungry after all when it comes time for the babies to hatch.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Don't Swallow', 1/100s f/22 ISO400 100mm

For many people this may very well be outer space being so removed the comfort of the breathable world.

It's not even the lovely crystal clear underwater landscape of a Cousteau Documentary with only a few meters of visibility.

The place is however a very real and very terrestrial Broughton Island and the pace is anything but deadly as this big and beautiful female Grey Nurse shark cruises every so gently by.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'It Came from Outer Space', 1/160s f/14 ISO400 15mm

This was my very first visit to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and as a diver I was not so sure I was going to enjoy it as much as actually being in the deep wild ocean.

Sure there were many amazing creatures I'd only ever seen photographs of but then I have had many other amazing marine animal experiences this place could never equal.

Then I noticed the people.
I noticed their mouths agape.
I noticed stares of wonder.
I noticed for a moment they were glimpsing a world so removed from the 'day-to-day' that only the moment mattered.

I still have mixed feelings about public aquariums but today I could see that these moments matter and that the things we can do to connect with the oceans and their wonder are indeed worth doing.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Oh the Wonder', 1/100s f/11 ISO800 17mm

Sydney is one of those cities I just love being in, wandering the streets, sailing the waterways and taking in the bold and brassy spectacle of high-rise and harbour sights.

Although there are plenty of high priced harbour cruises on offer, for just a few dollars you can jump on one of the harbour ferries and spend as much time out on the water as you like.

The Manly Ferry is my favorite with over an hour on the water (return trip) with fantastic views of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, yachts at play, views out through the heads and of course all those million dollar properties vying for waterfront views along the way.

It's kind of amusing watching the local commuters treat the Sydney Harbour Ferries just like a bus service as they sit inside, reading their papers (yes some still do) or engrossed in their devices missing all that wonder passing by.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Sydney Harbour', 1/5000s f/13 ISO160 15mm