Robert’s Ramblings

a little on life, the universe and everything… …and maybe the odd bit of scuba diving too!

Wavy Grubfish – Edithburgh, South Australia



The Wavy Grubfish, Parapercis haackei is endemic to Southern Australian inshore waters and found on rocky reefs and sandy/rubbly bottoms. A wonderful place to see these cute little critters is of course under and around Edithburgh jetty. Simply rest gently on the sand for a few minutes and you will soon fine at least two or three coming to check you out.

This photo is a classic example of one of the macro photographer’s most challenging problems and also most creative tool – depth of field. You will see that in this photo both the mouth and gills are out of focus with a very narrow field of focus through the eyes. Although the depth of field is very narrow, as long as the eyes are in focus the whole picture works. This leaves a wonderful expanse of colour with no detail – negative space, to contrast the subject image.

Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that’s what you do! ) …Robert 🙂

Photo: Robert Rath C7070WZ 1/60s at f/4.8 ISO100, Lens Inon UCL165AD Macro Lens, Natural Light

Have you ever found yourself in a business meeting and from nowhere comes an idea which may have some value but is not in keeping with the current conversation? How often have you simply made a mental note to yourself to remember it for later?

Did you?

… to read more please visit my complete article ‘ideas – get rid of them as fast as you can’ at ‘innovation mentor’.

Until the next post, take care out there and keep being creative ( if that’s what you do! ) …Robert 🙂

Serenity Now – Go Jen!



I bet you didn’t know that Jennifer’s a telented muso too! Here’s a link to her and Paul’s new dance track. Listen and review it at www.mp3.com.au and download it free!

You can also read about Paul (aka the Krakafaktri) and listen to this tune and others of his at the krakafaktri.

Please feel free to give feedback!

Until the next post, take care out there and keep on singing, dancing and writing tunes. ( if that’s what you do! ) …Robert 🙂

do people play solitaire at your work?

While recently watching someone playing solitaire during their lunch break I found myself wondering if this was a healthy break from the job, a sign of problematic undercurrents or just a mindless addiction. This got me thinking …

… to read more please visit my complete article do people play solitaire at your work? at innovation mentor.

Until the next post, take care out there and keep play solitaire ( if that’s what you do! ) …Robert 🙂

Sponge Crab, Edithburgh South Australia



It is wonderful and often surprising the events which unfold when you ask questions! In this case the question was ‘what crab is that?’ At first I thought through photo’s on the web that this little guy was called Cryptodromia octodetata. I then discovered that the scientists decided back in 2003 that they got the genus wrong and renamed him Austrodromidia octodentata. Either way, ‘Sponge Crab’ will do nicely.

In the process of asking ‘what crab is that?’, I stumbled upon Google Book Search and found this awesome book dedicated to Southern Australian crabs,

‘Marine Decapod Crustacea of Southern Australia By Gary C. B. Poore, Shane T. Ahyong, CSIRO’.

Just click on this link to browse the actual book on-line. Very cool!

Keep an eye out for this guy next time you dive. If you see one she will probably be adorned with a huge sponge or ascidian cap. If you are really lucky you might find her brooding a clutch of live young too!


Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that’s what you do! ) …Robert 🙂

Photo: Robert Rath C7070WZ 1/45s at f/4 ISO100, Lens Inon UCL165AD Macro Lens, Natural Light

Innovation Mentor – Making Wikis Work – Part 1

A truly powerful wiki comes from enthusiastic participation of all the users in a wiki community. The diverse nature of that community, however, means that participation by all almost never happens! …

… to read more please visit my complete article making wiki’s work – part 1 at innovation mentor.

Until the next post, take care out there and keep wikiing ( if that’s what you do! ) …Robert 🙂

Beautiful Edithburgh, It’s Getting Warmer



The last 6 weeks has seen a dramatic change to the water temperature over in Edithburgh. I mean really dramatic! Six weeks ago I recorded 12C degrees and this weekend we recorded 18C. That’s 1C per week. Winter is officially over!

Sadly I was not able to take any photographs this trip as I had a very large class of new divers who I will add are all now certified open water divers. Congratulations to Belinda, Sandi, Peter, Jenni, Claire, Harry, Cherrie, Scott, Kerry and Dave. Welcome to a whole new world of scuba diving! Thanks also to Brent for racing around keeping everyone under control and to Jennifer for being the wonderful host she always is and for posing for this photo taken back in May.

Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that’s what you do! ) …Robert

Photo: Robert Rath C5060 1/180s at f/2.8 ISO100 Inon UWL100-28AD Lens

Trust Us, We’re MICROSOFT!

I recently came across this little gem of a Microsoft HotFix description.

Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 (KB953432)
Brief Description

This update (KB953432) resolves an issue where Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 behaves unexpectedly in some circumstances.

Now that sounds like a politician speaking to me! See more at http://www.innovation-mentor.com