Glorious winter diving among rocky reefs covered with kelp, mostly Ecklonia radiata, in temperate southern Pacific ocean.   Keywords: kelp forest underwater undersea rocky reef winter sun ray Ecklonia radiata brown weed sea algae vegetation stalked frond shallow juvenile fish diving southern Pacific ocean temperate

Tularia bractea nudibranches feed on hydroids living on brown algae bushes in shallow murky waters of Mahurangi Harbour. They are another proof the harbour hides many treasures, it’s just its murky waters discourage divers from discovering them. Yesterday (August 2014) I found an algae bush with tens of individuals feeding on hydroids living on the […]

Common shrimp Palaemon affinis on watch. The very short distance between the subject and the camera allows photography with good contrast even in murky water (in this case Ti Point Wharf on running tide) but micro-particles reflecting the strobe light are clearly visible.   Keywords: shrimp common “common shrimp” Palaemon affinis “Palaemon affinis” underwater undersea […]

Octopus hiding in rubble on the silty bottom right under Ti Point Wharf, it’s not the one residing in a tyre on the side.   Keywords: octopus cephalopod underwater undersea hiding watching rubble silty silt bottom Ti Point wharf resident

A close-up portrait of australasian snapper Pagrus auratus. The eye is in perfect focus which is great, unfortunately the shiny “nose” reflects too much light from the strobe.   Keywords: snapper fish australasian Pagrus auratus “Pagrus auratus” underwater undersea portrait close-up “close up” focus eye mouth nose shiny reflection strobe Pacific ocean southern temperate

One of my clients has their office in Auckland CBD. As it’s not that easy (and cheap) to park there I was thinking about an alternative way to get there on a regular basis. I’ve realized the ferry from Birkenhead Wharf is a very convenient and pleasant option. It is very seldom cancelled because of […]