Visibility: 10+ m Water Temperature: 14 degrees

Divers: Stuart, Robert, Ian, Jen, Deon, Mick, Puspendu, Youri, Diane, Peter, Kathryn, Matt, Geoff, Tin, Glenn, Carl, Vikki

Surface Crew: Megan, George (woof!!)
Saturday morning was a delightful clear autumn morning. Perfect for a trip down Mornington Peninsular to call on the sea dragons of Flinders. I cruised down over Red Hill and Main Ridge listening to my newest CD (only to be tailgated by a long haired guy whom I thought I recognized, in a silver Volvo). On arrival I was surprised to find close to 20 divers aged from teens to well past half a century ready to go and that silver Volvo taxiing into the car park. I was so relaxed I had forgotten my weight belt; luckily I was able to fill my pockets with lent lead. The water was clear and 14C although a wind was whipping up a few white caps. After a briefing and the trek to the landing we all found ourselves playing in nature's garden under the sea and the exquisite sea meadows of Flinders which were populated by cowfish, goatfish, globefish, stingarees and dragons. I almost expected to find a sheep fish grazing with seahorses, but several large eagle rays did fly past to keep an eye on us. The divers gambled about in this bucolic place and some explored beyond the jetty where a man size banjo shark was lying low.
After and hour or so we returned with our fill of gentle diving and cameras filled with shots. We headed back to town for coffee and lunch in the sunshine, then I was back to that new CD for the ride home. A good day out.
I was tinkering with my new strobe while my buddy Robert showed great patience. Here are a few examples from Saturdays dive. 1/ the inevitable sea dragon shot, they always fascinate. 2/ sea meadows, 3/ Cruising ray 4/ I think this is a Dragonet or Thornfish perched upside down on a pylon 5/ jetty from the surface 6/ Cow fish
Report & photos by Stuart Garrow

P.S. next shore dive is on 4th June location TBA