Don’t really know where to begin … I’ll start by just saying that today’s second dive topped them all. The first dive, at the Bell Park Wreck Trail was nothing special… visibility was not great and the wrecks just looked like brown structures. The only cool things about the first dive were the sea horses living on the ropes connecting the wrecks and this one leatherjacket. Due to all the sediment in the water, it was hard to get a good shot.
The second dive couldn’t have been any different. After a very greasy but deliciously fresh lunch of Fish and Chips we went to the Grain Jetty. The jetty got its name because it is where all the grain is exported from Western Australia. After setting up our gear we entered from the shore. I knew it was going to be a good dive when within the first minute, I noticed this little white ball with red dots on the sand. As I looked closer, I realized it was a little puffer! As I went to get my camera it darted away into the distance, but luckily I would encounter it again later! The water was shallow (about 12 feet) and clear; and with the sun shining it was simply beautiful. The angle of the sun created these gorgeous rays of light that would slant in between the pillars of the jetty and light everything up.
We all just swam out following the jetty and every 3 meters or so was another pillar brimming with life. There were so many amazing tubeworms (also called feather dusters) of all different colors;
several nudibranchs;
and to my delight, puffers!!!
I chased this one little globefish down for a long time and even held him in my hand! Said hi from Desmond – figured they must be cousins or second cousins since they were both puffers. The chase begins! - anyone who knows me understands why I put so many of these up... know some of them aren't great shots, but I sure do get a kick out of puffers!
This dive spot was just perfect for photography. Just smiling thinking about this dive. Almost too happy from the dive … have this surreal feeling and feel very reflective now. Being in Australia and going diving has been giving me a lot of peace, and I’m happy about that, but hard not to think about things at times. Told Kate I must have been stung by some crazy surreal reflective jelly.
On the way out, I started to think about the little puffer I saw on the way in, and all of a sudden there he was! (It was about the same sandy area where I saw the first, so in my mind they were the same.) Again he proved difficult to capture, but I was able to get a shot off this time.
Here are the rest of the photos from the day. Definitely proud of some of them (especially the jellies and the rock being struck by the light.) Hope you all enjoy. Cheers
