James Peake: South Eastern Australia
James has lived close to Port Phillip Bay in Victoria all his life. As a child and into his teens he would regularly go snorkelling off the nearby rocky shores close to his home. His late Aunt and Uncle were avid scuba divers and underwater photographers. Their stories and images coupled with his growing interest in the marine world led James to be scuba certified in 1989. It wasn’t until 2005 however that he was able to begin putting together his own scuba gear kit and fully take the plunge.
In 2007 he bought a compact digital and joined a local UWP club to start recording the amazing things he was seeing. All of James’ diving to date has been around the south east of Australia from South Australia toNew South Wales, as well as Tasmania and his home state of Victoria.
Over the years James has built a large collection of images showcasing the endemic species of this temperate region. The waters of southern Australia are temperate and very rich in marine diversity. The often green and murky waters can make UW photography challenging at times but below the weed line the deep reefs of the region rival anything in the world for their colour and richness. Add in to this signature species like leafy seadragons and the region is a must-do location.
Euprymna tasmanica, Rye Pier, Victoria, on night dive. Dumpling Squids are one of my fave Cephalopods. Their dumpy bodies can change in colour remakably using both chromatophores (brown dots) and an irridescent skin layer below.
Weedy sea dragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) portrait, Portsea Pier, night dive. These are common to southern Australian waters. Not as enigmatic as the leafy seadragon perhaps, but a very beautiful Sygnathid, especially when viewed close.
Ascidians, corals and sponges festooning pylons under Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
Leptomithrax gaimardii, Rye Pier. In early winter this species of Spider Crab gather in mind boggling aggregations. The current scientific consensus is that the crabs come together in such huge numbers to moult.
Goblinfish, Glyptauchen panduratus, Portsea Pier, Victoria. Blending in well with the substrate these cryptic fish are relatives of Scorponfish.
Tambja verconis, Blairgowrie Marina, Victoria. Perhaps the most iconic of southern Australias sea slugs. Instantly recognisable with its vivid, plasticine like appearance. Often the first sea slug that novices here will ever see.
I'm still trying to workout why these are called velvet fish as they seem more like velcrofish!
Short boar fish (Parazanclistius hutchinsi), Mornington Pier, Victoria. Short of body and with a huge dorsal fin these rarely sighted boarfish are a sight to behold.
Phycodurus eques, Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia. The most enigmatic sea creature from southern Australia. I'm yet to get the image I'm after as they are a very challenging subject.
The tasselled anglerfish (Rhycherus filamentosus), arguably the most highly evolved ambush predator found in the waters of southern Austalia. Looking for all the world like a lump of algal growth it patiently lays in wait for its next meal.
Australian Fur Seals, Arctocephalus pusillus, Montague Island, NSW. Playful and curious young Fur Seals are often eager to check out and interact with divers.
Southern Blue Devil, Paraplesiops meleagris, Second Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Blue Devils are a favourite for many UW photographers down under. Very photogenic and often bold and willing to pose for the camera.
Blue Ringed Octopus juvenile , (Hapalochlaena maculosa, Taken on a night dive, Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
Pentagonaster dubeni*, Rapid Bay Jetty, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Bisquit Stars are a tasty sight for the eyes well know to both divers and tide poolers.
Striped Pyjama Squid, Sepioloidea lineolata, Edithburgh Jetty, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Unique to the southern half of Australia and with three curiously isolated populations.
A pair of painted stinkfish (Eocallionymus papilio) rise up to spawn, Blairgowrie Marina.