Summer in Perth...

Conditions have been stunning in Perth over the last few weeks allowing us to get in for
​several lovely long & warm shore dives.
Though visibility is pretty low @ most sites there is an abundance 
of diverse marine life.

So fortunate to encounter such a precious creature on an amazing 2.5hour dive this weekend.
​Weedy Sea Dragon or Phyllopteryx taeniolatus with a big cloud of mysid shrimp, her preferred diet. Also experienced our highest recorded water temperature for Perth @ a balmy 25.2 degrees celsius.

Another of our rare little locals this Short Headed Seahorse was posing beautifully atop this hard coral the other day.... Usually very timid & camera shy this was a unique encounter where he seemed completely willing to pose for his portrait to be taken.

Another couple of very pregnant Short Headed Seahorse Males.
So encouraging to see so many about this season.
​Hopefully we are lucky to witness the birth of some tiny little babies again soon.

Double stacking diopters to get a nice close shot of this tiny glass shrimp.
It's great working with shallow depth of field when you have a pretty back drop like this
Purple Tipped Anemone to use.

Bluering Octopus seem to be everywhere @ the moment, you can't go past
these cute but deadly creatures for an interesting shot.
Their camouflage is so amazing that they are easy to oversight.

Common Octopus as they are called often seem to be far too uncommon.
But on yesterday morning's dive there seemed to be one for each pylon under a local jetty.
Each have distinctive personalities,
I'm partial to the ones that are a bit playful & comfortable with our presence,
​reaching out to play with our cameras. 
Wouldn't want them to get too interested though....

Detail of the skirt of a Southern Bailer we encountered the other day.
Such intricate markings.
It really depends on how you look @ them, we all see things so differently...

Another magnificent creation in this Nudibranch.
​So tiny yet so perfectly intriguing.

Here's hoping that the conditions
recover well after this swelly week & that all
​of our little underwater buddies weather the storm well. 
Already can't wait to get in for another
underwater adventure...