Blue Water Byron Bay

If you havn't heard already the South East Queensland and Far North New South Wales have recieved floods which some have describe as once in 100 years. Lives have been lost and the millions of dollars damage. The coastal town of Byron Bay sits just 160km South of the severly damaged city of Brisbane and 160km North of the regional city of Grafton also damaged by the floods.

Luckily Byron Bay missed out on the heavy rain and the floods over the past several weeks and recently recieved some excellent diving conditions and also the addition of the most Leopard Sharks (AKA Zebra Sharks) I have ever seen in the area. With well over 40 of these beautiful sharks in small area making excellent opportunity for so wide angle work.

Here is a collection of some of my favourite shots from today and yesterday.

I had the chance to take some video. Its not excellent quality but it doesn show you just how much Leopard Shark action there is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22898788@N04/5383731616/

Setup use is an Aquatica AD90, Tokina 10-17mm, Ikelite dual DS161, Nauticam VF

Cant wait until I get my new Aquatica housing for the D7000!

Cheers Mark

Wow! That is amazing. I would love to see leopard sharks. Excellent captures.

Really nice video of the leopard sharks. I was wondering....the video is quite jerky when I viewed it. Is that a problem with DSLR vid or Flickr?

Really nice video of the leopard sharks. I was wondering....the video is quite jerky when I viewed it. Is that a problem with DSLR vid or Flickr?

Hi Allison,

Unfortunately its a Flickr problem.

Regards Mark

Excellent shots Mark, leopard time sure is special in Byron.

Hey mate looks sweet.

beautiful shots! I just (as in 3 min ago) ordered my aquatica housing for my D90. Cant wait to get it wet!

Brilliant! I thought I was lucky to see 3 leopard sharks in 4 days in the Similan Islands. Little did I know...

Hey Mark,

Pen those sharks up until we get there

Brilliant! I thought I was lucky to see 3 leopard sharks in 4 days in the Similan Islands. Little did I know...

I did a liveaboard in the Similan's a few years ago and they got excited over just one Leopard shark. They didnt understand why I wasnt excited at all and thought I was a dive snob or something. It wasnt until my mate (who used to also work in Byron) told the crew that during this time of year we can get dozens of them all in a small area.

Cheers Mark

Beautiful Mark,

Just wish the viz was that good yesterday, but all the ray and leopard shark action made up for the reduced viz.

Cheers,

Nigel

It was a pity about the lower Vis yesterday. I had to hunt around to find the clearest water which was actually on top of the ridge near Hugo's Mooring. I did get the chance to get some nice Eagle ray shots from there.

Here are the better shots from yesterday.

Cheers Mark

Here is todays Favourites:

Cheers Mark

Mark,

That sequence with the spotted eagle ray is certainly spectacular, it looked great on the camera but even better on the computer.

Are all the blue spotted maskrays still schooling?

Cheers,

Nigel

Hi Nigel,

Thanks I really like the Eagle Ray sequence also. I heard that they had two large Manta's at the same spot yesterday afternoon.

The Maskrays are everywhere and they normally stay for a few weeks.

Cheers Mark

Wish i was diving last time i was there!!!, great shots

Here are some unedited shots from this morning to give you a idea whats happening:

Regards Mark

Amazing pics Mark...Stunning..Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Diggy