Autumn In Melbourne.

Hi Folks,

I haven't posted any pics for a while, not wanting to make poor Cal to homesick. Poor thing stuck up in QLD

being driven to drink, diving in crocodile infested creeks and paddling in swimming pools for a narcosis hit

Anyhow despite being quite a windy season at times Autumn diving here can be some of the best we have.

Here's a few recent images that I've captured as the water temps head on their downward slide.

Errr did I mention I have a Cephalopod fetish?

A wee little Bottletail Squid.

Pickled Octopus.

One of the more amazing things I've seen lately

a pair of Blue Ringed Octopi getting friendly.

One from last nights dive an as yet undescribed species.

Maori Octopus clinging to a pylon.

And now for something completely different.

A Tasseled Anglerfish.

Hope you've enjoyed!

Cheers,

Jim.

Hi Jim,

Some beautiful pics there mate.

That Tasselled Anglerfish certainly doesn't look like the one that is normally photographed at Blairgowrie?

How big is the 'new' occy? . . . . long slender legs like the sandy, but a bigger body and very pale. . . . top find!

Bruce...

Great shots!

loved them all!

Hi James,

Some great shots there.

I am back home now, sorry we didn't get a chance to catch up while I was in Melbourne. I still had some great dives, including a few at Blairgowrie.

All the best

Nigel

Oooh - tangler!

Great shots! I particularly like the last octopus shot.

a really nice collection of pics .

you make the fuji sing .

Matt

Yo Jimmy,

Where was that new occy? Like Bruce, I'm curious to hear about more about it!

Beautiful shots as always.

Cant wait for a few night dives with you soon!

Cal

Thanks everyone for your comments!

Hi Jim,

Some beautiful pics there mate.

That Tasselled Anglerfish certainly doesn't look like the one that is normally photographed at Blairgowrie?

How big is the 'new' occy? . . . . long slender legs like the sandy, but a bigger body and very pale. . . . top find!

Bruce...

Hi Bruce,

the Tangler is the usual species found in PPB but this individual did have stronger banding which I think is indicative of juveniles

this one was about 15-17cm long I guess. The 'New' occy is one I 1st saw in 2007 and being unsure of its id sent some images to

Mark Norman and he said "it is an undescribed species that we only have one specimen of and is otherwise only known from a handful

of images. We have been calling it the double-spot night octopus because of the dumbell shaped white patch in the base of the arms

in front of the eyes". I've sent him a link to this image asking for an update on it's status. I also suggested he could name it after me!

Hi James,

 

Some great shots there.

 

I am back home now, sorry we didn't get a chance to catch up while I was in Melbourne. I still had some great dives, including a few at Blairgowrie.

 

All the best

 

Nigel

Nigel glad you got in some good dives. I understand that Margaret took very good care of you and you found your own Tangler too.

How about posting some shots for us to see here?

Yo Jimmy,

 

Where was that new occy? Like Bruce, I'm curious to hear about more about it!

 

Beautiful shots as always.

 

Cant wait for a few night dives with you soon!

 

Cal

Hey Cal,

night dives while you down here are a must do! Autumn is the best time for it, marine life is still busy and sunset is much earlier!

Cheers,

Jim.

James,

Margaret and the other SWAMP guys really looked after me, showing me the best of the shore diving sites in Port Phillip Bay, while Mary and Allan spoilt me with a few great boat dives.

Still sorting out images.

Hope to get down to Melbourne again soon as I really enjoyed the diving.

All the best

Nigel

very interesting shots, i like 2 and 4