Project AWARE Underwater Naturalist
Marine Life ID Course
Julian Rocks turned on the best weather imaginable, with flat seas and over 15m visibility. With seven keen participants, from as far South as Melbourne, and from Sydney to Brisbane we negotiated our way through the Power Point Presentation of the Project AWARE Underwater Naturalist Marine Life Identification Course in the comfort of Planula Diver’s Retreat lounge area.
With some good fun and laughs we had each session wrapped up in time for the dives.
Project AWARE UNDERWATER NATURALIST Marine Identification Course participants.
(Left to Right) Aiden Dipple, Ian Banks, Samantha Reynolds, Ashley Missen, Jae Brown,
Front Row (Yours truly) Lynda Clarke, Stephan Beekman.
(photo: Jorina van der Westhuizen)
Thanks to the very able directing talent of Ian Banks, Dive the Gold Coast, the group underwater shot went off well. I’m not sure all the ‘critters’ can be identified,
BUT they are countable.
(Photo: Jorina van der Westhuizen)
A moment captured in time, as Ian Banks of Gold Coast Dive Centre, almost wears an aggro Spotted Wobbegong that only seconds before, has had its octopus meal snatched out of its mouth by another Spotted Wobbegong.
This is the sort of actionable behaviour one dreams about, but rarely sees, let alone has the chance to capture. JoeY got the entire sequence AND as a bonus the attacked Spotted Wobbegong exploded off the bottom and came straight at JoeY barely missing Ians head.
Resulting in a shot of the show image. Just a pity it all happened the day before the shootout. ( photo: Jorina van der Westhuizen)
A very nice study of the Reaper Cuttlefish Sepia mestus which is only found on the east coast of Australia and is quite common at Julian Rocks. (photo: Aiden Dipple)
Very good behavioural study of the Painted Anglerfish Antennarius pictus captured during the moment of yawning. ( photo: Stephan Beekman)
Leopard Sharks Stegostoma fasciatum were quite prevalent at Julian Rocks and many photographers at the shootout were able to manage good images. This portrait is well done, as it not only is well exposed and in focus, but it leaves some distance between the sharks nose and the edge of the image to allow the shark somewhere to go. (photo: Samantha Reynolds)
Close up study of a Common Lionfish Pterois volitans by Jae Monique Brown with her new camera, shows a good use of diagonals and well - balanced lighting.
(photo: Jae Monique Brown)
Due to its habits of living amongst corals the Leopard Blenny Exallias brevis is not an always an easy fish to get a good image of.
This example is amongst the best I have seen, showing the entire fish, well balanced colour, good composition, and its fins ‘spronged”.
(Photo: Ian Banks Dive the Gold Coast)
BYRON UNDERWATER FESTIVAL Project AWARE UNDERWATER NATURALIST Marine Life Identification Course participants. The theory, which was all based on Power Point presentations, was held at Planula Divers Retreat in the comfortable lounge area with visuals all relayed through Tims new wide screen television. The venue and the setting could not have been better.
(photo: Jorina van der Westhuizen)
Next Project AWARE Underwater Naturalist
Marine Life ID Course
Nelson Bay NSW
10-11 October 2009