After seeing the good weather forecast following the deluge of rain we had had during the week and realising I was becoming dangerously close to having nothing to do on Sunday, I put out a last-minute call for anyone that fancied a relaxing dive at Shelly Beach and my prayers were answered by Ben.
With a less-than organised start by yours truly, we were in the water by 9:30 to calm conditions and fairly snotty but otherwise decent visibility.
All the usual critters were out, including Port Jacksons, Sergeant Bakers, leatherjackets, blue gropers, and some wobbegongs that were keen on hiding from a good camera shot.
Ben spotted an octopus nestled away in a crevice, who had given away his hiding spot by leaving a pile of junk outside, and there was also a tiny Elysia sp. 4 going nowhere slowly.
This leaf slug decapitates itself and then regrows an entire new body in order to rid itself of parasites.
We made an unplanned but not unwelcome trip to one of the sunken bikes on the way back to shore, which was in the process of being lost in the sand kicked up by some enthusiastic divers, and a dusky flathead in chest-high water rounded out the dive.
Coffee and a bacon and egg roll at The Boathouse soon followed.
A nice morning!
Tom
