Aussie Diving July 2010

[Sas]

Hi Underwater Ogre!~ December is getting closer all the time

I have been away and on holidays so have only been checking in here briefly so haven't had time to post some stuff.

Great eel shot petunia! That is my favourite out of your latest lot

I went to Mt Gambier for four days. We were going to see heaps of South Australia but my buddy had his leave cancelled so we could only do some of the trip

But Gambier was fun - we stuck to the cavern sites and dived Kilsby Cave, One Tree sinkhole, Little Blue sinkhole, Piccanninie Ponds and Ewens Ponds. Here are some photos I took (apart from the two of me ) plus a video here: Mt Gambier diving on Vimeo

Divers on decompression at Kilsby Cave

Michael heading into a swim through at Kilsby

Inside the Cathedral at Piccanninie Ponds

Me sky diving at Ewens Ponds

Underwater meadow at Ewens

At least 80m visibility - can see from one side to the other Last time I dived here the viz was about 30m only

The Chasm at Piccannine Ponds

Entering the water, I like this shot

Long exposure shot I took (30s) at Ewens coupled with waving my torch around to make things lighter. There were only three divers in the water (so three torches) but I like how it shows up like an aurora

Did my 400th dive at One Tree

Old Harvester at One Tree with animal skulls

 

[Sas]

Ok and now here are some ocean shots I took! Lot more stuff to see in the ocean

Crab tug o'war under Mornington Pier

White Spot Sand Octopus, they're so cute and they have long curly legs

Blue Ring Octopus swimming

Same octopus - would pulsate its legs up and down to swim up

Made-Up Phyllodesmium

Tassled Anglerfish

Anyway these were taken on various shore dives, hope that helps your Aussie fix Ogre

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Wow Sas you are getting awesome shots! the Ewen Ponds shot with the divers torches is astounding. The cave pics are just stunning. I see why you dive caves! The blue ring is lovely.. some day I want to see a tassled Anglerfish! Thanks so much!

 

[bowlofpetunias]

I missed posting this shot.. it is my favorite of the ones I got on Saturday.. I like the expression and composition.. the moray looks so shy...

 

[Sas]

Ahh very nice eel I actually found an eel the other day in Melbourne (not common) but ours... aren't so big

Wow Sas you are getting awesome shots! the Ewen Ponds shot with the divers torches is astounding. The cave pics are just stunning. I see why you dive caves! The blue ring is lovely.. some day I want to see a tassled Anglerfish! Thanks so much!

Yea the caves are beautiful! I just did the cavern sites this time and they are better for photos because you have light.

The blue ring was very energetic, especially for day time. I think when my buddy was taking photos of it, it got agro as the buddy had a big dome port? (I think that is what it was) and I think the octopus could see a reflection and maybe he thought it was another octopus??

If you come to Melbourne I will try to find a tangler for you... they are really hard to spot but now that I have been shown what to look for I will be more likely to find one

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Your on! :sly: how soon can I get to Melbourne?

 

[Turtlesong]

Thanks for the wonderful pics Sas. A sneek preview. I will be in Syndey for the holidays. Can't wait.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Hey I have never heard a turtle sing....when will you be in Sydney... it is possible we could meet up...

 

[Turtlesong]

Just lovin the photos. Actually it is more like a symphony than just a song.....turtles that is.....
I am arriving the 20th I was thinking of doing a dive on Tuesday the 28th, just plan to take each day as it comes. Would love to meet bowlofpetunias, lunch?

 

[bowlofpetunias]

diving is better than lunch in my book any time. I am just about to head for some shut eye. How about we see what we can arrange? If you can't dive we may be able to meet and have lunch or something. Will you have dive gear? how long will you be in Sydney is diving an option at this stage? Fish and I are not working then. I am not sure about family stuff at this point.

Here is a pic from our dive last Sunday (Inscription Point in Botany Bay)