Aussie diving April 2013

[bowlofpetunias]

yes one day.. sigh. Well at least I have tomorrow off. These one day courses take a lot out of you. Hopefully my voice will be better for work on Friday. Sometimes I get sick of hearing my own voice..one of the great things about diving.. no TALKING!

 

[alcina]

You guys should totally come over and do it! I'll try to jump out with you and it would be super fun

I haven't done the Phils but there's no feeding etc here. If the whale sharks show up, you're blessed and you know they are doing what they do because that's what a whale shark does. We had a quiet day today with only three - the past week has been insane with whale sharks everywhere.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

One day we will do that. I am not a fan of altering the behavior of the creatures. I would rather go somewhere and take a chance of a natural encounter rather than feed or burley Maybe I am a purist but IMHO we have done enough harm for food which at least is a necessity. I don't want to interfere more for the sake of a recreational activity.

 

[alcina]

yeah, I'm not a fan of the whole feeding thing at all and I think the arguments used from the "pro" camp are significantly flawed. Friends want me to go out again tomorrow, but I'm going to check the conditions before choosing sharks or diving - it's such a hard life here some days

 

[Liam hemsworth]

Hey K - awesome photos. Did the Navy Pier today - wow! I'm going to come back to Exmouth later in the year. The diving here is un-freakin-real.

Btw, there are plenty of beers and ciders - oh, and some Bundy and coke (a favourite tipple of mine) - should you fancy a gargle. Barely made a dent in them yesterday. They're at the shop.

maybe you could chip in a few thoughts to a new posting today regarding diving/accom for Coral Bay and Exmouth - seeing as you're a local... And a damn good person to boot!

No doubt will see you again - through my full face mask.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Hey Liam... welcome aboard Scuba Board in general and Aussie diving in particular... got any pics to share.. would love to see them

 

[alcina]

I don't remember Mark having a camera - just his full face mask

No diving for me until probably Monday, tho I might get out for some whale sharks again on Sunday...we shall see what happens! Cross fingers here

Thanks for the kind words, Mark! I hope you message me when you make your plans - hopefully we can catch up for another boat trip & maybe a few drinksies, too!

 

[bowlofpetunias]

We are currently researching online for the cleanest site to dive. We have had so much rain and runoff they are saying some of the beaches are likely to be polluted from runoff I do hope to get a dive this weekend. It is harder for us to dive during the week with work schedules etc. Used to be able to do some midweek dives after work but they have been sending me to places where that is not possible. Oh well.. when I feel hard done by I remind myself that there are a lot of divers who would love to be only 60 to 90 minutes from so many shore dive sites like we are!

 

[Liam hemsworth]

G'day b-o-p,

Thanks for the welcome. Sorry, no photos of the diving - my camera battery shat itself just before the first dive!

Anyhoo, it's just a little ATC9K Action Camera - GoPro-esque, made by Oregon Scientific - a lot of fun, waterproof to 20 m (had it to 24 absent-mindedly in Fiji), stills and video buttons, laser pointer... but really no good for diving as only 5 Mpix and no lights.

Here's an example - I spotted this little chap while snorkeling close to the Novotel soon after arriving - I think it's a leaf scorpionfish - it was hunting a glass prawn a few centimetres in front of it. Shot from above, you will just about make it out. Great camouflage.



So the ATC 9K is compact fun for snorkeling - I take it all the time for my favourite stretch of Perth beach.

Next must do task is to buy a decent uw camera, strobe and slave - I'm in love with the shots taken by Kristen - dang they're good!

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Thanks .. I love to see shots that show what people see. I love the way you have to look to see the creature. It certainly shows how well adapted the creatures are!

Of course alcina's shots are spectacular and I love them but pictures don't have to be National Geographic quality for people to enjoy them!

I just have a little point and shoot Canon S95 in Canon housing with no strobes or lenses. For 6 years I used a Sony Cybershot 5megpixel. I have a lot of shots to remember my dives by and to share with those unlucky enough not to get to dive. My theory is that I will take pics for my own enjoyment and it is a bonus if other people enjoy them. I also enjoy using the shots to educate people a little about the importance of conserving the marine environment!

I have to say that adding the camera to my diving has added interest and enjoyment for me.