Robert’s Ramblings

Nestled in a clump of rocky reef at 20m this Brownspotted Wrasse (Notolabrus parilus) is doing what all good wrasse do at eleven o’clock, sleeping.

Sleeping fish are an amusing part of night diving. They do not lay there with eyes closed but seem to be in some vacant trace staring out into the ocean. Some nestle under ledges or wedge themselves in crevices. Others lay flat against some vertical surface propped up by the sea floor or other structure. Inside of wrecks where there is no current some fish just simply hang in mid water; asleep.

You can come right up to them, fire strobes, pull faces and they will not budge. However just one touch and they instantly react, usually swimming strait into something else before they have regains their full faculties.

It was an amazing night out on the ocean last night. The sea was millpond calm, the stars were bright and the late rising moon just stunning over the water. The dive on ‘The Barge’ out from Glenelg was worth the late night effort.

At least some got some sleep last night but not me.


#BrownspottedWrasse #Notolabrusparilus #wrasse #fish #thebarge #night #scuba #diving #nightdive #southaustralia #glenelg #underwater #photography

If you have a taste in music that extends even a little beyond mainstream popular music and you have never heard of Jacob Collier then I suggest you explore his work and see where it takes you.

If you are a multi-instrumentalist with a passion for musical theory I might just continue this conversation to include words like ‘rocks’ and other ‘planets’.

Regardless, fire up YouTube or your favourite media platform and spend some time with Jacob and you might never listen to music in the same way ever again.


#2022 #adelaide #concert #djesse #Jacobcollier #jazz #musician #performingarts #thebartontheatre #harmony #jacob #collier #music #performer #prodigy

Every body seems to make a fuss when ever we experience a ‘Super Moon’, that full moon in which the perigee of its elliptic orbit brings it closest to the Earth and hence larger in the sky.

Nobody pays any attention when the moon is at its apogee, when it’s 15% smaller, colder, lonely and waiting to come near to the earth again!

Stop me anthropomorphising now! The moon’s temperature does not change and the rest is just nonsense. Still nobody ever says, ‘Wow! There’s a ‘Micro Moon’ moon tonight!’.

So, … meet Mini Moon! Last night’s tiniest moon of the year.


#Moon #astrophotography #celestial #luna #fullmoon #micromoon

Over the last few months something quite extraordinary has crept into our kitchen.

At first it began as a single green tendril feeling its way skyward from its broad leafy hideaway.
It soon bifurcated into two, then four, then eight before tiny little buds began to form on the viney green structure. The buds grew and then swelled into purple egg-like forms before finally bursting into wings and taking flight.

Our kitchen is now graced with six of these beautiful alien angels perched on their broad leafy home.

I now get why people love growing orchids.


#Orchid #macro #abstract #bird #alien

When I was around 10 years old and on holidays my dad took us fishing the incoming tide of Port Parham. Our daily ritual involved hunting for bait at low tide, digging for worms, muscles and cockles.

Cockle were always our prize and were the bait of choice needed to target the whiting that would hopefully grace the evening’s table.

Funny how I never thought of cockles as food for people until so much later in my life. I was in my mid twenties when I first noticed cockles on a menu and have never looked back.

So glad I’ve added cockles to my idea of C food.


#Pipi #cockle #shellfish #seafood #food #markets

A few weeks back while exploring the Victorian Pyrenees we stumbled upon what is probably one of Country Victoria’s best kept secrets.

Looking for a bit of lunch we found ourselves in the sleepy town of Avoca. A bakery was our wish and boy did we find a bakery we will never forget. We knew we were somewhere special when we walked in the door and started reading the pies on offer.

Crocodile in Malaysian satay, camel in honey soy, venison in black bean, Moroccan kangaroo, barbecue emu, buffalo in napolitana, seafood marinara, scallop in lemon and salmon with lemon and potato were just the start!

I settled for the kangaroo, Jennifer went for the cauliflower cheese and both of us agreed these were some of the most amazing pies we have ever had. Clearly we were not alone in our culinary admiration as half the town flocked in behind us for their lunchtime break.

We have to come back to try the rest. And soon!


#Pies #bakery #pyrenees #avoca #pyreneespies #goldfields #victoria #country

You were a mentor, a role model, a peer and a friend.

During the years we have known each other you taught me so much about this craft we love.
You encouraged my critical eye, you never tolerated mediocrity, and you always spoke your mind.

A week ago you said goodbye for the last time.

Thank you for everything, we all will miss you dearly.


#blackandwhite #silhouette #twilight #sunset #monochrome

I love night photography, its challenges and the reward of capturing the feel of urban lighting.

With the iconic Glenelg Town Hall clock tower, beachfront Friday nightlife and the ferris wheel in full motion the scene was set for a great photo opportunity. Set up the tripod, plan a set of HDR exposures and capture some images. What could be easier?

Last night was an extraordinary night with the temperature around 30 degrees all night so I suggested to the family we head out for an evening on the water and maybe I’d bring my camera along just in case.

Here a half a kilometre off Glenelg beach rocking about in a little boat there was no stable platform for a tripod and no opportunity for a set of HDR exposures but the view was so lovely I needed to at least try. This single hand held (in a rocking boat) shot at 1/80s was the best I could do.

Regardless it was a fun evening with my family so a bit of photography was simply a bonus.


#Glenelg #ferriswheel #nightlife #night #nightphotography #boating #beach #southaustralia

It’s late and the choppy seas are just a lingering tell of the heady afternoon sea breeze now gone.

No point in having sail up anymore, it will just slow us down.

It’s motoring from here, and another diesel homecoming.


#Yacht #boats #marinorocks #sunset #twilight #ocean #aerial

Friday’s commute home was a real treat with an unplanned exploration of the Port River and the little spit of land adjacent to Section Bank.

I don’t know what this little island is called but there is always some waterfowl action going on here. On this occasion I discovered this social gathering. With no sign of nesting here I guess it’s a full on pelican party!

Yet another untouched wild place on my doorstep.

#Pelicans #beach #aerial #sectionbank #portriver #outerharbour