Dropped into the water to do a Quiet Corner snorkel this morning. This is part of Ricketts Point Marine Park but you enter from opposite Centre Road. We stayed south of the rocks, where the water has tended to be a bit clearer. Visibility was still a bit poor so we stayed shallow and looked among the seagrass and rock ledges.
Last year there were lots of pipefish here and they’re back! We saw lots of babies, a few ‘couples’ and a pregnant male (pictured). They are throughout the seagrass beds right in front of the beach. Just look for the grass that swims away!
These sapsucking sea slugs were here last year too. Look along the shallow reef edges among the Caulerpa (like a slightly filamentous green plant that forms a cloak over the rocks). It’s poisonous to most other creatures. They are only about 1cm long.
Find of the day was this Smallfin Clingfish (one of a number of cryptic species that live in the bay). They have modified front fins to sucker themselves on. This one sat motionless for a photo. It’s only the second time I’ve seen them but I suspect they are common. Like so many things, once you’re aware and have a search image, you start seeing them all over the place.
For more about what to see on a Quiet Corner snorkel, plus other sites, don’t forget to check out my Melbourne Snorkelling Page and share this with a friend ☺️
