I have a confession to make. We are rather enjoying using Blu3 dive compressors at the moment … colloquially called ‘hookahs’ (just don’t blurt that out in public that you are taking yours for a swim). They offer a nice compromise to snorkelling as we can choose to either stay at the surface and trail them as a swim marker, or dive to 3m and use the regulator. It works out as a compromise between diving and snorkelling. Although the last couple of days we’ve managed a full 90 minutes underwater and the depths we explore are easily what we could reach by duck-diving, it is much easier to take photos! This latest swim at Blairgowrie Pier with Tassled Anglerfish was particularly exciting.
Shallow water is all you need … and a torch
For the most part, we are in less than 2m. Often less than 50cm. A Wobbegong swam past me in the shallows the other day. Seahorses are in a few inches of water in the seagrass beds and onl pylons. Most of the nudibranchs are in a metre or so. Our best find was this Tassled Anglerfish which was on a pylon about 1.5m down. A torch is essential as many of the critters hide away in the darkness beneath the pier.
Tassled Anglerfish
Popularly referred to as Frogfish, this family of fish are highly sought after sightings. This is owing to their crytpic camouflage and sit-and-wait behaviour. This species is found throughout southern Australia and I’d never seen one before yesterday. An absolutely beautiful fish and quite a challenge to photograph, as it was sat in among sponges. The trick was getting some light behind it and balancing the foreground and background exposure without compromising on shutter speed. Yesterday it wasn’t sitting anywhere useful but today it had moved and the surface sunlight offered that change to provide a bit of depth to the image.
Cryptic Crabs and Shrimps
There are some massive decorator crabs on the pylons at the moment that literally grow sponges on their body. The big one pictured below is quite the fashionista but still incredibly camouflaged. Another highlight was a Striated Squat Lobster living on sponges on the seafloor. There are also lots of different types of shrimp dotted around on sponges and in the weed. It’s always a nice challenge to try to photograph them.
Nudibranchs
Nudibranchs everywhere at the moment. The big blue and yellow Vercos are among the most beautiful in the world. They are quite common. Nudibranchs lay spirals of orange, white or yellow eggs, attached to kelp or sponges. The last couple of days we’ve seen lots out and about.
Diving with a Blu3 battery compressor
Here is some more information about the units we’re using.
