The ocean at the end of our street (ii)

10.44am today

The ocean at the end of our street

2.18pm today

Dive #85. Cowfish extravaganza.

When: 27 August 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 5.6m
Bottom time: 62 mins
Viz: 15+m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Extraordinary viz. Crystal clear and the jetty underworld was looking mighty fine. We finned out to the mini weed-forests, then to the end of the jetty, then back in. A nice long dive.

We saw a plethora of critters: cuttlefish, sea horses, leather jackets, crabs, moonlighters, globefish...and a stunning (but empty) black cowrie shell.

And so many cowfish.

We counted at least eight ornate cowfish - one of my favourites - on this dive, ranging in size from 2cm to 6cm. One was even posing at the steps for a photo; they're usually extremely difficult to photograph because they manage to swim away from the camera.

But as usual, Scuba Buachall did the gorgeous critters justice:

Dive #84

When: 26 August 2006
Location: Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Depth: 5.9m
Bottom time: 36 mins
Viz: 10+m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Talitha
Diving companions: Daisy, Tim C, Adam W

A short but lovely dive, great viz. Who thought 1°C could make such a difference: 13°C felt positively warm compared with previous dives of 12°C!

We went to the end of the jetty and back. We saw a very dead 'n' diced Port Jackson shark.

Dives #82, 83. Double dive. My first weedy sea dragon!

Dive #83
When: 13 August 2006
Location: Wreck of the Norma, North Haven, South Australia
Depth: 13.4m
Bottom time: 37 mins
Viz: 5m
Water temp: 12°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Conditions had calmed down a little for the second dive.

The Norma is an interesting wreck whose debris is spread over quite a large area.


Dive #82
When: 13 August 2006
Location: Grange Tyre Reef, South Australia
Depth: 19.2m
Bottom time: 33 mins
Viz: 10m
Water temp: 13°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall

Challenging conditions for entry and exit - anchor chains become lethal weapons in 1m+ seas!

BUT...I saw my first weedy sea dragon. Spotted by Terry who showed it to Ian who in turn pointed it out to us. Much bigger (ie longer) than I had expected, but absolutely beautiful.

What is it about this particular family which is so special?

Dive #81

When: 4 August 2006
Location: The Dredge, South Australia
Depth: 19.4m
Bottom time: 29 mins
Viz: 6m
Water temp: 12°C
Buddy: Scuba Buachall
Diving companions: Mark L and Rachel C

Eventually managed to launch the boat from West Beach boat ramp. Pleasant conditions. Lovely cruisy dive.

Great to introduce Mark and Rachel to some South Australian diving after having done their Open Water course in Cairns, North Queensland.