Robert's Ramblings

My moment with this gentle giant was fleeting, no more than 30 seconds, but wow what a wonderful moment it was.

When finally it swam into the distance, visibility, light and turbidity were not kind to the camera. All colour and definition were gone, but still the grace with which it swam was mesmerising.

This was my last glimpse before it disappeared into the depths below but not before it showed that unmistakable shark profile that evolution has not changed in millions of years.


#scuba #diving #baskingshark #sharks #Cetorhinusmaximus #Kerry #ValentiaIsland #BrayHead #megafauna #ancient #creatures #ireland #blackandwhite #monochrome

All of the diving I have done so far here in Ireland has been on the exposed Kerry coastline and the one common theme of every dive has been kelp!

The kelp line begins around 6m below the surface where it is just out of range of all but the most severe seas and extends down to around 12m where the failing light is no longer sufficient for the photosynthesis the algae needs to survive.

This species called Cuvie (Laminaria hyperborea) has become a landmark of depth for me, greeting me on my way back up to the surface and keeping me company on my safety stops.


#kelp #scuba #diving #cuvie #Laminariahyperborea #algae #seascape

We were nearing the end of a fabulous dive just off Bray Head on Valentia Island and were hovering around 5m sandwiched between the surface and the kelp bed below.

I turned to locate my dive buddy and instead was greeted by a massive grey form coming up from below and swimming directly for me. It is hard to describe and give justice to the experience which followed.

At first I thought it was the biggest and strangest looking dolphin that ever existed. I was stupefied until it gracefully dived under me and the expanse of this giant shark was revealed.

Basking sharks are the second largest shark or fish after the whale shark and typically will reach 8m in length. This one was on the smaller size, perhaps 4-5m, but still possessed incredible presence.

After swimming beneath me, this beautiful creature performed a graceful turn, revealed its ancient profile, then doubled back for a moment before reaching the edge of the kelp and diving back down into the depths.

This was my first encounter with these gentle giants and left us both basking in the beauty of the encounter.


#scuba #diving #baskingshark #sharks #Cetorhinusmaximus #Kerry #ValentiaIsland #BrayHead #megafauna #ancient #creatures

It’s cold down here, it’s dark down here, but it’s anything but quiet. Between the sound of my own breathing and my bubbles escaping to the surface, the water is filled with clicks and chirps and strange sharps noises not unlike forest insects on a warm evening.

As the light of my torch falls on this massive vertical rock wall I am astounded by the beautiful patchwork carpet of colour. Thousands of anemones in colonies of purple and red and yellow all with their tiny stinging tentacles, feed on plankton in the nutrient rich water.

Looking up I catch I glimpse of blue sky above and am filled with gratitude for this amazing magic carpet ride.


#scuba #diving #doulushead #cahershiveen #kerry #ireland #ocean #sea #inbhearsceinesac #anemone

I have just had another fantastic day diving with the crew from Inbhear Sceine SAC diving. This particular dive on Doulus Head was truly spectacular with cliff facing walls coming up from more than 30m below and covered in massive anemone gardens.

This moment captures our all important ascent with Richie being first to the boat and John ready to help us on board.

I am still getting used to the cold 10 degC water, and the crew here think I am crazy diving in a wetsuit, but it’s worth every moment diving in this beautiful part of the world.


#scuba #diving #rib #boat #doulushead #cahershiveen #kerry #ireland #ocean #sea

My discovery of Ireland’s beautiful place seems to have no end and despite previous trips here I’ve really only just started.
We are on the pier at Kells Bay, about to head out into Dingle Bay for a dive, and I just can’t begin to describe how amazing it is to be here.
The diving from here was stunning but to those that will never dip their head below the waves, just look around and enjoy our beautiful planet from what ever perspective you can.


#Kellsbay #tinyplanet #aerial #ireland #landscape #skyscape #tinyplanet

Living in Ireland has provided many firsts for me and my dives with Inbhear Sceine Kerry Sub Aqua have been no exception.
I’ve experienced new underwater sights and sounds with my favourite Southern Australian ‘usual suspects’ being replaced with an entirely new cohort of marine species I am eager to make my acquaintance with.

For the time being at least I’m acclimatising to the 10 degC water temperature, and still tuning my gear, but a couple more dives should see most of those issues sorted (aside from the cold).

For now at least I can share another first, it may not be anything spectacular but here is my first published image from under Irish seas, the Edible Sea Urchin (Echinus esculentus).


#Echinusesculentus #seaurchin #underwater #scuba #diving #ireland #kerry #critters #echinoderms #edibleseaurchin