Entries by Robert

A thing of childhood nightmares lies before me, mouth agape. Like the edge of a precipice I am drawn inexorably towards that perilous abyss beyond. Every fibre of my being screams ‘don’t’ while body inches forward regardless.

After all this Doughboy Scallop is only a few centimetres across and I want a really good close up shot!

Scallop’s are actually quite interesting critters in more ways than just a favourite menu choice. You’d never find one of these on your plate though as the Doughboy Scallop forsakes a mobile life on the sea floor and settles instead for a permanent niche amid the sponges and other benthic life. Once a permanent home is found this guy will never move again unless his home is wrenched away by storm or other trauma.

As for those amazing blue eyes. They are a marvel and what always draws me inexorably towards another image!


#Animals #critters #Scuba #Diving #Rapidbay #Jetty #Life #Macro #Marine #Night #Ocean #Sea #Underwater #Doughboyscallop #Eyes #Mimachlamysasperrima #Nature #Scallop #Southaustralia #monster

Sorry I did not cover my mouth, said the gurnard perch, but we have no mask wearing restrictions down here! That spray of particles in the water is not Covid but the chewy bits of my last morsel!

I watched this little guy for some time, curious he was not at all perturbed by my up and personal presence. After all I was at least a thousand times bigger and wielding mini Suns to boot!

Soon it became obvious. My lights attracted small swimming crustaceans, like insects swarming to light on a warm summer night. My little gurnard friend had suddenly found for himself a mobile food truck and was settling in for a feed.

After any decent sized morsel was sucked into that gaping pout, out spat a shower of debris! Bless you I said as I packed up my truck and moved on rather than put on a mask of my own.


#Animals #Critters #Scuba #Diving #Rapidbay #Fish #Gurnardperch #Hunting #Jetty #Life #Macro #Marine #Night #Ocean #Photogenic #Portrait #Sea #Ugly #Underwater

The first public performance for any new band can be a nerve wrenching experience, or so I have been told, and told and told again during the lead up to last Sunday’s gig at Littlewood Agapanthus Farm.

Even for my amazingly talented wife, being her debut as lead singer, it took ‘anxious’ to a new level.

All those nerves however evaporated in an instant when these six accomplished musicians launched into the first song of their set and confidently introduced ‘Talk On Corners’ to us all.

For a solid 75 minutes they rocked and sang and entertained us. They got us tapping, they got us singing along and they might have even got some dancing, a fact I can neither confirm or deny.

Congratulations Sara Sizer, Nick Carroll, Jennifer Liston, Peter Franche, Christine Morphett and Robbie Lennox on an awesome debut performance.


#livemusic #performingarts #jenniferliston #talkoncorners #littlewoodagapanthusfarm #thecorrs

Diving under the old Rapid Bay Jetty is often just like catching up with old friends, mostly good fun but sometimes leading to unexpected and beautiful surprises.

Normally divers avoid currents, the biggest risk being swept off a dive plan and getting lost. Diving with a reference like a reef line or jetty pylons can restore safety in even moderate currents although you have to work for it. So it was last Thursday evening as I entered the water and was quickly carried by the current from the new jetty to the old where I began my dive – and that’s when the magic started.

The water was alive with light! There was so much light I didn’t even have to turn on my torch. From the sea floor to the surface every jetty pylon was flashing with fairy sparkles. It was like walking one Christmas evening through a suburban street where all the houses were competing for Christmas-light bragging rights.

That supernatural underwater light show was produced by large quantities of bio-luminescent algae from the nutrient-rich gulf waters being swept out with the ebbing tide. As they jostled and swirled around pylons and other structures they sparkled with tiny outbursts of light.

As I swam under the jetty northward every object twinkled. Every pylon shimmered with flashes of mostly white mingled with yellows and the occasional reds. Streams of fairy dust swirled off the pylons and streamed in the current.

Even my own progress through the water was showered in this magic – specks of light erupted all around my camera, flowed up my arms and swirled around my mask before disappearing behind me.

This was the most amazing display of marine bio-luminescence I have ever experienced. What a pity I was only prepared for macro photography and could not capture the spectacle. So it was I arrived at the jetty’s T-section, reluctantly turned on my torch and banished the fairy lights into the darkness.

So back to macro photography and old friends, this nudibranch (Ceratosoma brevicaudatum), a Rapid Bay regular, appeared right on queue for our regular catch-up.

Wow, what an amazing evening. One I will never forget.


#nudibranch #seaslugs #Ceratosomabrevicaudatum #bioluminescense #creatures #critters #scuba #diving #rapidbay #night #ocean #southaustralia #underwater

Anyone who as taken a flash photograph while it is snowing would know just how annoying those fuzzy white blurs of light can be.

It’s like the physical world is conspiring against you. You see your subject fine through the rain or snow yet in the captured image the main even is upstaged by a flurry of bright white fuzzies, back-scatter.

Back-scatter is a very real problem for those of us who dive in turbid water. It is caused by the light from our flash or strobes hitting tiny particles in the water closer to us than to our subject. The result is usually white fuzzy mess.

There are techniques used to minimise this effect such as moving strobes or flashes well off to the side or far back behind the camera lens. At the end of the day however, removing back-scatter usually becomes a tedious post production activity. A necessary evil of underwater photographic post-production.

I have removed most of the back-scatter in this squid image leaving just enough to remind that dive conditions, especially for photography, are never perfect.


#animals #cephlapods #chromataphores #creatures #critters #diving #edithburgh #juvenile #night #ocean #scuba #sea #sepioteuthisaustralis #southaustralia #squid #underwater

As beautiful as my last dive was I was a little disappointed that I was not able to find and photograph more critters.

What else could I photograph while on the last of my air? A selfie or something way more interesting? My dive watch!

So here it is buckled to an unsuspecting ascidian. Not so fishy.

And yes it really is just after midnight!


#Scuba #Diving #RapidBay #Jetty #Yema #Superman #bronze #watch #divewatch #Macro #Nightdive #Ocean #Underwater #Photography

Well it was more like ‘boo’ than ‘bump’ as this rough rock crab (Nectocarcinus integrifrons) stood its ground.

I am not sure who was more surprised as I swam past a pylon to find this guy, claws reared, and that unmistakable ‘do you want a piece of me!’ look in its eyes.

I am sure I could have taken on the beast if I was feeling belligerent but there would be blood in the water, my blood and I was not looking to invite an even bigger sparring partner this time around.

So I dipped my mask and swam by with a nice wide birth. Perhaps next time.


#Crabs #Nectocarcinusintegrifrons #Critters #Crustaceans #Southaustralia #Scuba #Diving #RapidBay #Jetty #Macro #Nightdive #Ocean #Underwater #Photography

The European Featherduster Worm (Sabella spallanzani) is an unwanted and feral guest in our South Australian waters. For the most part they are quite unattractive, living in silty conditions and lacking the vibrant rich orange fans of its native local cousin.

Anyone who has dived recently in Westlakes waterways would attest to the ugly mess they have made. Here however in the free flowing currents under Rapid Bay jetty they do not seem to have become too prolific and this one almost looks attractive in the night time strobe light.

Still I would rather this guest gone and our native featherduster in its place.


#Scuba #Diving #featherduster #worm #Sabellaspallanzani #feral #RapidBay #Jetty #Macro #Nightdive #Ocean #Underwater #Photography

It has been way too long since I have been diving. What with work, the weather, too cold, too wet, reluctant dive buddies and any other number of reasons it just simply has not happened since July!

Last Thursday night I needed to travel south for non diving reasons and decided that since I was more than half way to one of South Australia’s best jetty dives, Rapid Bay, I’d pack my gear and invite my usual dive buddies for a mid week night dive.

It rained all day along with an unseasonable cold wind blowing from the South. Things were looking grim, … again.

To cut a very long story short I finally got wet again (fresh water first from the rain) and once again found myself amid the familiar pylons of the old Rapid Bay Jetty.

Despite the strong southerly winds this was one of the most gentle dives I’ve experienced here. The visibility was amazing, at least 10 meters, there was no current and the rain created beautiful reflections from the surface above in the torchlight.

Even with the gentle conditions there was not a lot to photograph. My highlight of the evening was a chance encounter with an old friend Doriopsilla carneola who I’ve not seen in more than six years. We exchanged hellos, posed for photographs and then went on our ways.

The moral of this story is there is never really an excuse not to go diving! Even if it means a very, very late night!


#Diving #Doriopsillacarneola #RapidBay #Jetty #Hunting #Macro #Nightdive #Nudibranch #Ocean #Photography #Scuba #Sea #Seaslug #Underwater

Cuttle’s Last Stand

Impressive as his pose may be there is not much fight or life left in this big male cuttlefish.

Countless fights have fought for the reward of an intimate encounter. He’s still in one piece so there is a very good chance his progeny and genetic line will live on. That’s all that matters in the life of the giant cuttlefish who have congregated this winter at Stony Point near Whyalla.

Perhaps he will enter the fray one more time, perhaps he will become prey to some larger predator.

Regardless, this is probably Cuttle’s last stand.

#critters #cuttlefish #diving #giantcuttlefish #marinelife #molluscs #pointlowly #scuba #sepiaapana #southaustralia #stonypoint #sunburst #whyalla #wideangle

Framed by curtains of rain, bathed in sunset gold, the sun peeks below the dark clouds of the receding winter.

Not since I was a child do I remember rain like this season has brought.

As if the curtains of winter were finally drawn back, this weekend was the first in weeks the rain has not taken centre stage making our plans its own.

The rain will be back soon but for now I am enjoying the sunshine of the coming spring.

#Adelaide #sunset #goldenhour #rain #winter #aerial #clouds #southaustralia

As we sat out watching the sun set on the distant Flinders Ranges and bathing the Waukaringa Hotel ruins in amber light, we were not alone.

Along side us, sunbaking on her own piece of ruin, this Bearded Dragon cared not for the visual beauty of the outback, only the last rays of sun keeping her warm.

#beardeddragon #dragon #lizard #outback #Pogonavitticeps #reptile #southaustralia #bush #desert #outback #remote #ruins #travel #waukaringa

Bathing in the emerald green shallows of Stony Point this sealion, belly full of cuttlefish, is probably the most content creature on earth.

To us the Whyalla cuttlefish season is an extraordinary opportunity to swim with, observe, and simply be with one of our most amazing sea critters. To sealions, it’s a gastronomical smorgasbord with one item on the menu.

For now, belly full, I’d wager she is dreaming of more tomorrow.

#sealion #whyalla #stonypoint #aquatic #cuttlefish #dreaming #green #animals #pinnipeds #abstract

Well, more orange perhaps, but plenty of deep deep colour. This was the afterglow of tonight’s beautiful sunset on the Grange beach foreshore.

The inclement stormy weather of the last few weeks has turned our coastal waters into something akin to an insipid mocha. As a scuba diver I’ll just have to wait until water clarity returns.

In the meantime a beautiful evening on Grange beach with a fiery red, or orange sea will do just fine.

#Grange #seascape #sunset #goldenhour #aerial #southaustralia #sea #ocean #twilight

It does not matter if the beach is crowded or you have it all to yourself; all you need do is look out to sea and it you’ll have it all, in solitude, on your own.

#Whyalla #solitude #ocean #seascape #beach #coastline #blackandwhite #monochrome

It looks as if something exploded here in the salty shallows just off Torrens Island

One large mangrove might be to blame or possibly the outcome.

It is curious to note the perimeter of benthic disturbance encircling the entire group.

Perhaps it is indeed the fallout of the large mangrove; wind, waves and tide doing the rest.

#torrensisland #ocean #aerial #water #mangrove #solitary #abstract #patterns #sea #ocean

A beautiful pelican glides into view as I watch from the tranquil river bank. How strange it seems to me, this green brown waterway so far from the ocean.

In the river’s reflection I see another creature, a creature of dry, arid places. A desert dweller lurks here too in the most incongruous of realms; somewhere between reflection and imagination.

I am missing my ocean but the pelican is happy here in the backwaters of the River Murray; as long as he or she does not see the lurking scorpion.

#pelican #river #murray #loxton #katarapko #tranquil #waterfowl #birds #scorpion #reflection #water #animals #nature #southaustralia

I often come here on the way home from my day occupation. Perhaps not so often in these short winter days when I seem to leave and return during the in-between light of twilight.

The little tidal creeks of Torrens Island in the last rays of sunset always make be feel like I have stepped into another world altogether.

The colours, rich and vibrant. The texture, almost tactile. The azure rivulets drawing attention to the rising tide which feeds them. The entire landscape, so natural and detached from the world I usually inhabit.

This little haven, Torrens Island, one of suburban Adelaide’s hidden treasures, is I place I can completely escape to, if only for a little while.

#abstract #aerial #barkerinlet #bog #landscape #life #mangroves #marshes #salt-marsh #sunset #torrensisland #goldenhour #creek

What Australian artist would be so bold as to use his very own Rolls Royce as the canvas for images of the mines of Broken Hill?

There was no airbrush or spray booth used here. Just a talented artist and his brush.

Thank you for the sacrilege Pro Hart,
… we miss you.

#prohart #rollsroyce #canvas #brokenhill #paintjob #abstract #automobile #newsouthwales

He’s on the hunt for a breeding mate.

Iridescent waves of chromatophore colour ripple from head to tail.
Tenticles outstretch ready to caress or to fight.

He’s beautiful and he knows it and nothing will stop him from getting what he wants,
… except perhaps the hundreds of other males around him with the same intent.

He probably will get what he wants but it will cost him.

If he is still alive by the end of the cuttlefish breeding season he’ll be left a ragged spectre of his former glorious self,

… but happy.

#cephalapod #critters #cuttlefish #diving #giantcuttlefish #marinelife #molluscs #pointlowly #scuba #sepiaapana #southaustralia #stonypoint #sunburst #whyalla #wideangle

Chronological Abstraction

At a glance I could easily imagine some old civic timepiece adorning the municipal building of some sleepy Austrian village, a little after 9am on a chilly but sunny winter morning.

How easy it is to imagine seeing something completely different when presented with an inaccessible perspective. In this view, the Point Lowly Lighthouse, an iconic landmark of the Whyalla region, is transformed into something abstract letting me imagine what I will.

However it is done, a macro image of some everyday object or an aerial view of an iconic landmark, an abstracted perspective of something I know I should recognise but don’t, frees me from what is, letting my imagination create what might be.

… breakfast at 10am anyone?

#aerialdrone #lighthouse #pointlowly #southaustralia #travel #whyalla #abstract #clock

At first I thought two males were simply facing off but on closer inspection the plot thickened.

First I noticed a diminutive female beneath one male, now thinking he defended his claim. Then I realised a second female lay protected beneath the second male. So it was clear now that both males had their prize mates.

In the distance, on all flanks, challenging suitors lurked patiently waiting their chance.

At last the scene beneath my cuttlefish eye made perfect sense.

#cephalapod #critters #cuttlefish #diving #giantcuttlefish #marinelife #molluscs #pointlowly #scuba #sepiaapana #southaustralia #stonypoint #whyalla #wideangle #fisheye

Just another moon? Perhaps…

It’s the same one I’ve seen in the sky countless nights and in countless phases. So why is it that when I glance up into the night sky, perhaps for the ten thousandth time, the moon still takes my breath away?

A wonderful question I’ll leave for other minds to ponder.

There is nothing special about this image. It’s identical to thousands like it. What’s special is that this waxing gibbous phase is my favourite moon.

Waxing, growing, becoming; Textured, visceral, visually tactile; Gibbous, solid, substantive with a promise of immanent completion...

These are just some of the reasons why this moon, a few days from full, is absolutely my favourite moon.

#astrophotography #celestial #moon #lunar #waxing #gibbous #moonphase

What an odd shaped blue swimmer crab I thought as it raised it claws to frighten me away.

It was not until we met at eye level did the source of the odd symmetry become apparent.

I quickly took my photo and then sheepishly backed away hoping to preserve some modesty. After all who wants to be photographed in this position?

Still, I kept the photo!

#blueswimmer #blueys #crab #critters #crustacean #diving #jetty #edithburgh #portunusarmatus #scuba #underwater #mating #mirror

Alien Encounter

If scuba diving is a privileged opportunity to experience critters hidden from our world then scuba diving at night takes it into a different, almost alien, world altogether.

Strange creatures come out from their secret nooks to search and hunt for prey. Sea lice and phytoplankton swarm dive lights like insects to headlights. Strange creaks, crackles and the odd indescribable sound fills the inky blackness while our lights illuminates just the tiniest bit of our surrounds.

Diving at night requires giving in to certainty and comfort in exchange for the unkown, the unexpected and alien encounters.

This southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis) under Edithburgh Jetty on a recent dive was just such and encounter.

#animals #chromataphores #creatures #scuba #diving,juvenile #night #ocean #edithburgh #sea #critters #Sepioteuthisaustralis #squid #underwater #cephlapods #southaustralia

This seagull’s view of Point Lowly holds three of the Whyalla area’s oldest buildings, the heritage listed lighthouse and the two lighthouse keepers’ cottages.

Completed in 1883, the Point Lowly assisted maritime operations for the next 90 years. Today it’s maintained operational as a tourist attraction and the cottages can be rented for holiday accommodation.

#lighthouse #landscape #travel #pointlowly #southaustralia #whyalla #wideangle #aerial #drone

Some may think that the eagle ray is one of the uglier cousins of the ray family but I love them as one of my favourites.

Yes, that snubby nose and mottled skin make it just a little bit ‘bulldog crossed with dalmation’, but I think that they give this ray a unique character all its own.

It is however when eagle rays are swimming that their elegant beauty truly stands out. Their long birdlike wings and slender wipe-like tail are mesmerising in flight and take my breath away every time I see them.

I came here to Point Lowley to see the giant cuttlefish but am so glad this eagle has landed here.

#critters #stingray #diving #eagleray #marinelife #rays #pointlowly #scuba #southaustralia #stonypoint #whyalla #wideangle

Last weekend we made a trip to Whyalla on South Australia’s Spencer Gulf to frolic in the wintry ocean with our Giant Cuttlefish for their seasonal breeding congregation.

This year I was delighted with the numbers, as hundred and hundreds of mating crazed cuttlefish could be found along the shallow coastline west from Port Lowley.

As I have written before, this place is a rare treat for non-divers too with just snorkelling gear needed to completely experience the spectacle. There were in fact some places so shallow you could have stood with a pair of waders and a glass bottomed bucket and still got a good sense of the cuttlefish carry-on.

We got to share this experience with a couple of our dearest friends as well as hopefully making new ones, both human and cephalapod!

The Whyalla cuttlefish yet again remind me why I love South Australian diving.

#critters #cuttlefish #diving #giantcuttlefish #marinelife #molluscs #pointlowly #scuba #sepiaapana #southaustralia #stonypoint #sunburst #whyalla #wideangle #cephalapod

Look at the rainbow behind us Jennifer exclaimed; looking away from the beautiful sunset over Hummocks Range west of Lake Bumbunga near Lochiel.

We both agreed we’d never seen a rainbow like it before. It was if a painter had taken to the sky creating wispy downward brush strokes of colour.

It’s raining a rainbow I sighed as we watched this extraordinary play of colour and rain paint the ground below a brilliant gold.

For a time we looked back and forth from rainbow to sunset until eventually the colours faded and the gold turn to the grey blue of twilight.

It rained a rainbow this evening.

#rainbow #lochiel #hummocksrange #sunset #goldenhour #lakebumbunga #landscape #panorama #aerial #drone #southaustralia

Here anchored in the calm shallows of Sultana Bay, ‘Miros’ epitomises how to do a socially distant holiday.

We are so very lucky here in South Australia with relative freedom to move about and enjoy life with only minor inconvenience.

Still, if we find ourselves in lock-down again I wouldn’t mind being all-at-sea in such a beautiful boat!

#Ocean #sailing #yacht #edithburgh #boats #travel #sea #aerial #saltanabay #isolation #miros