The Scallop’s Eyes

The iridescent blue eyes of the Doughboy Scallop, (Mimachlamys asperrima), are little optical marvels. They are in fact more like tiny Schmidt telescopes than conventional eyeballs. The back surface of the scallop’s eye is like a mirror which reflects the incoming light back towards the lens opening. The light sensitive cells of the retina are […]

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Headshot

This Leafy Seadragon headshot was taken during a recent daytime dive at Rapid Bay. This is another example of extreme separation normally associated with a night shot but instead done through strong strobes and removal of the blue luminance. I expect he’ll be wearing dark sunglasses next time I return. Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Headshot’, 1/200s […]

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The Giant Cuttlefish

Sepia apama, the Giant Cuttlefish, is the largest of the cuttlefish and a South Australian draw-card critter. Thousands of cuttlefish congregate to mate in the shallows at the top of Spencer Gulf each winter creating amazing opportunities for divers and snorkelers to observe their antics in only metres of water. This guy however lives out […]

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Now You See Me

The Bluff is a difficult place at the best of times to dive and observe Leafy Seadragons. With a consistent southerly swell, strong surge and flailing kelp it can be hard to pickout the leafies from the fronds. There are usually quite a few around but it is not uncommon for divers to spend a […]

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I Sea Dragons

This beautiful Leafy Seadragon posed for stills and video at Rapid Bay this afternoon. Despite big tides and a strong current the water is getting warmer, up to 14degC here now, and an 8-10m visibility dive day is was welcome change from the soup we have been diving in lately. Looking forward to more days […]

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