It's only in the past eight years that I've become captivated by marine
life, to the point where I want to learn more about them.  In that regard, I
sometime wish that I had both the aptitude, (together with the creative
ability of all of those other folks on the list who have shown themselves to
be outstanding U/W photographers) and the desire to carry a camera with me
on every dive!  Regrettably, I always find them a burden - and that's when I
remember to load them properly wiv film like wot Viv showed me once!!!
:-))))

While I'm fortunate enough to be able to dive at least two or three times a
week, the dives that now give me the most pleasure are the ones that I
usually mention here, when I get to dive an area that continues to reveal
more and more marine life than was previously thought to exist there. :-)

Yesterday, we discovered what we think was a Warty Prowfish (Page 92 of
'Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia' for those that have the book.) that's
apparently *only* found down south from Tasmania through to the southern
parts on Viv's side of the island.  Janet had her camera with her, (it's a
new one and she's still not happy with the results thus far!  Hah! I use an
old one and I'm *never* happy with the results!) but the images that she
took have now been sent to the Museum for proper identification.  If
confirmed, this will be the umpteenth critter that we've sighted in our
waters that ain't supposed to live here! :-)

There were, of course, the usual whaler sharks, weedy seadragons, giant
cuttlefish, beautifully marked fiddler rays, wobbegongs - including a Banded
one whose patterns were outstanding - a few copulating seahares, seapike,
gobies, and the usual groupers that are getting more and more insistent on
being patted and tickled under the chin.  And a large variety of nudibranchs
and bubble-shells.

In addition there was another large school of squid.  (These critters are
the ones that fascinate me the most- and always represent the time when i
most wished that I had a camera with me!)  :-)))

Viv!  That Warty Prowfish that we saw - have you seen any further north than
the southern parts of WA?  (That's Western Australia for folks that thought
it was a State of the USA!)  :-)))

Strike