Robert's Ramblings

It's been a while since I have captured a 'down the line' image of Henley Beach Jetty so a while's now up.

As always this kind of shot results in lots of water on me and the camera. So much so that I am thinking of designing a tripod with legs that can take the powerful surge as the water rushes past.

OK, a project for later later on!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Down The Line', 4s f/16 ISO640 15mm

It was a stormy evening down at Henley Beach with a rough sea, a stiff breeze and an amazing sky. Perfect for capturing some images.

I got wet, my camera got wet, ... over and over. I ran out of tissues continually trying to dry the salt water from the lens and the tripod kept getting dislodged as each surge of water crashed into it

What began as a series of bracketed images ended in near disaster as the foreground and nearly the camera was swept away.

Did I have fun this evening? You bet I did.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Flow Motion', 2.5s f/16 ISO50 15mm

I know the rules say 'no bikes on the jetty' but they are not so clear about being on them or not.

Given the ambiguity I see no point in 'walking' a perfectly good bike.

Clearly this is no selfie!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Walking The Bike', 1/100s f/2.8 ISO640 200mm

I crept slowly towards them. Keeping low. Keeping quiet.

I stopped and watched patiently. Keeping still. Keeping silent.

Then one from the crowd got spooked by a sound and quickly the others caught on.

The need was now gone so be stealthy today so I clicked as they all flew away.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Flew Away', 1/1600s f/2.8 ISO320 200mm

Sunday night was the last night of the Adelaide Fringe Festival and locals, artists and visitors we out in force to make the most of it.

Normally sleepy on a Sunday evening it was so cool to feel the party vibe here at the Croquet Club. I'm sure it was just the same at the Garden of Unearthly Delights and at the other Fringe Festival venues.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Last Evening At The Croquet Club', 1/500s f/6.3 ISO320 15mm

It looked like it was going to be a sunset full of colour and structure and all those things we love about spectacular sunsets.

The sky it seems had other ideas as Henley Beach said goodnight to the setting Sun behind layers of cloud.

All that was left was the tell tale red glow of the Sun's passing below the horizon and the silhouette of a couple out for an evening stroll.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Evening Stroll', 1/50s f/7.1 ISO500 15mm

Reflecting on a time long gone on the old Adelaide trams where you had to stand and could chat with the driver (if you were up the front) as you undertook your journey.

Now the driver sits behind an armored door in front of a panel of blinking lights and digital displays as we ride patiently in our seats.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Reflecting on a Tram Ride', 1/60s f/2.8 ISO800 70mm

I loved a moment in the opening scenes of the movie 'Contact' with Jodie Foster; quoting Ellie's Dad; "Small moves, Ellie, small moves".

With my very own small moves I'm exploring a direction of photography which has always inspired me, amazed me and humbled me, our incredible night sky.

Following the first steps of many astro-photographers my first deep sky project is to create a half decent image of the Orion Nebula. Well this is not it!

This is however the first image I am willing to show of my progress captured from my own backyard into a suburban light polluted sky.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Small Moves to the Orion Nebula', 30s x30 f/5.6 ISO320 200mm

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I've captured these big round rocks outside the InterContinental Hotel on North Terrace before but this time looking into the windows of the old Adelaide Railway Station.

For no other reason than 'just because', I feel compelled to dedicate this image to Terry Pratchett whose infectious whit and unlikely characters will stay in my heart forever. Thank you.

Can't you feel DEATH lurking in the shadows just off to the left!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Lurking in the Shadows' 2.5s f/7.1 ISO100 15mm

Just a man in the ocean or just a silhouette taking in the amazing canvas left by the retreating sun. What better place to be.

Summer may have left us for now but painted skies, silhouettes and our beautiful beach will stay.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Just a Silhouette' 1/5 f/16 ISO640 15mm

When I captured this image of a group of young people having a wow of a time on the rides in the Garden of Unearthly Delights I thought nothing more other than rides and colour and fun.

Later my daughter while looking over my shoulder exclaimed she recognised some of these people from the Adelaide Fringe Festival play, 'Blood at the Root'.

Honest I was not playing paparazzi but since learning a little more about this acclaimed and award winning play out of Penn State University (U.S.A.). I might just make an effort to see it before the Fringe Festival comes to a close this weekend.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Fun Far From Home' 1/160 f/2.8 ISO1600 200mm

That iconic store has been open for business in Adelaide for quite some time now and I have only been inside for closer look one time.

I do however love looking through the glass at all the shiny Apples lined up in a row and I love the impact Apple has had on our lives.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'More of Them Apples' 1/320 f/4 ISO1000 182mm

Watch the antics on the croquet fields of the Croquet Club and you'd wonder why the umpires aren't keeping better control.

I watched for a while and came to the conclusion that even though these croquet umpires and players shared the same field they were playing completely different games.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Croquet Umpires' 1/400 f/2.8 ISO2500 105mm

The Rundle Mall Fountain is over 100 years and flowing strong despite the lack of recent rain.

Ornate and representative of an early part of Adelaide's history this fountain has not always lived in its current location in from of the Adelaide Arcade.

As a youngster we would use 'The Fountain' as a designated meeting place at the intersection of Rundle Street and Gawler Place".

The 'Mall's Balls' have now replaced that old role but it is still good to see the old fountain alive and flowing.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Rundle Mall Falls' 1/160 f/2.8 ISO1000 100mm

Some people can find the most odd places and times to get online.

While strolling down Hindley Street on the way back from a show I spied this surfer grabbing a bit of online goodness in a cosy side-street nook.

I hope he found what he was surfing for.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Urban Surfing' 1/30 f/2.8 ISO1000 115mm

If someone had told me that two guys on their own could pull off a respectable live performance of the entire Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells album I would have scoffed at them.

Aidan Roberts (pictured) and Daniel Holdsworth took me on an amazing journey back to a time when my first ideas in music were being formed and they did it convincingly.

I tip my hat to you both!!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Tubular Bells' 1/320 f/2.8 ISO1600 155mm

The tables were set, the kitchen readied as they huddled over their plans ensuring all was in place for the onslaught to come.

So who won the battle? We all did at Press* on Waymouth Street, Adelaide CBD.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Preparing for Battle' 1/100s f/2.8 ISO1600 145mm

She's on a mission, a mission to walk!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Power Walker' 1/160s f/16 ISO100 15mm

Back at the Garden of Unearthly Delights there are plenty of people not interested in the shows, in the stalls or the festivities.

Down the back where the rides are, you'll find that boys just want to have fun!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Boys Just Want to Have Fun' 1/400s f/2.8 ISO1600 70mm

Ever wondered what a scuba diver looks like underwater during an uncontrolled laughing fit?

I'm not sure what I did to make Alexius laugh like this but I can be sure his hysterics cost him at least 10 minutes of air supply.

In any case it made for a great photo opportunity.

Those technically inclined photographers will appreciate the issues with an image like this one with bubbles and buckles full of specular highlights, skin tones and the deep black details of the wetsuit.

Otherwise have a think and a giggle yourself about what got Alexius into this state.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Alexius' 1/400s f/7.1 ISO640 15mm

Oh how people change when they are in front of a lens!

Some people turn the other way

Some people ham up the glam.

Some people run and hide.

Some people enfuse with pride.

And some people just become total ejits!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Goofing Off' 1/60 f/2.8 ISO160 200mm

As the sun sets with certainly, as another day passes on, as clarity is lost and memory fades, holding onto the rail will not save you.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Holding On To The Rail' 1/100 f/4.0 ISO160 182mm

Beachside Glenelg and most people are looking at the gorgeous sunset, snapping away at the horizon or at themselves as it the current trend.

I looked up and saw a different ocean.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Surfing a Celestial Wave' 1/2500 f/2.8 ISO160 102mm

This little guy the size of my thumbnail was happy to cruise around hunting for food on the reef quite unnoticed as I sat patiently waiting for the perfect angle on some other less interesting creature.

While peering through the viewfinder this lump of moon rock literally slid into the frame.

I still do not know what kind of nudibranch this little guy is but I affectionately named it based on the crater pocked surface of its skin.

Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Moonbug’ 1/100 f/14 ISO320 100mm

I first encountered hermit crabs many years ago on the muddy tidal flats around Darwin well before I began diving.

Since then I've learned they are everywhere and more than happy to take residence in someone else's abandoned home.

This Hermit Crab (Paguristes frontalisi) at Port Noarlunga is both common and comical. This one's shell is fitting perfectly so not so many stumbles to laugh at but if you find a hermit crab that has taken up residence in some palatial new oversized shell it is hilarious watching the ensuing antics.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Hermit Crab' 1/100 f/20 ISO320 100mm

I've said before that Port Noarlunga is underrated as an amazing diving location and last night's dive proved again the beauty here.

We got in the water around 11pm but with the 40 degC hot days we have been having it was just like jumping into a warm bath. Feeling pretty relaxed and pretty lazy we dived a very small area below the end of Port Noarlunga Jetty and as it turned out we did not have to go far for all the critter action.

This image shows a juvenile Southern Calamari, Sepioteuthis australis, out hunting, one of many we encountered.

We found nudibranchs, bobtail squid, headshield slugs, blue ring octopus, scorpion fish as well as many of the local reef inhabitants in their nocturnal state.

The secret to an awesome Port Noarlunga night dive is to come back off from the reef and dive the sand and sea-grass beds. That's where the really interesting critters will be.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Baby's Gone a Hunting' 1/100 f/20 ISO320 100mm

Biscuit Stars (Tosia australis) abound under Edithburgh Jetty.

They are so common and so generally stationary they are often overlooked by divers for the intricate beauty in their last (note the term 'last' is used to describe the hard structure making up the shape of the starfish).

This pair side by side highlight differences in colour but note how the actual structure is the same.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Sea 'n' Biscuits' 1/125 f/14 ISO320 40mm

I normally associate a name like 'The Pit' with some lair filled with foul beasts but this place could not be further from that idea.

This special location only a short swim from the Edithburgh Jetty never fails to enthrall me with its beautiful white sandy bottom rimmed inside a low circular reef.

Schools of Old Wives and Bullseyes swim with their undersides aglow by the reflecting sand-light while Cuttlefish and Rockling hide under ledges with Snook hovering in ambush in the macro algae above.

The Pit really is a gentle and beautiful place to dive.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'The Pit' 1/125 f/11 ISO640 15mm

I love firsts! I especially love finding a critter for the first time under Edithburgh Jetty where I have dived hundreds of times over many years.

Actually the credit goes to my dive buddy Raymond for finding this rarely seen Southern Crested Weedfish Christiceps australis

From any other angle it looked like another piece of kelp frond until recognition those gorgeous mottled eyes became the giveaway.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'A Different Kind of Weed' 1/100 f/11 ISO320 100mm

As I have said before, one of the most amazing sea creatures to inhabit our coastal waters is the Australian giant cuttlefish, Sepia apama.

Aside from being the world's largest cuttlefish species, it is also one of the most curious and engaging and will interact for ages if you want to play. This one occupying a small reefy ledge off the end of Edithburgh Jetty was curious enough to let me get close though it had its limits and retreated back under its ledge before coming back out to pose for more photos.

Cuttlefish are known to be quite intelligent but there is something about those eyes which carries a sense of timeless wisdom. An anthropomorphism which endears this create even more.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Wise Old Cuttlefish' 1/80 f/11 ISO320 40mm