On Sun, Jan 17, 2016 at 1:07 AM, Kara Pogos <kara.pogos@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Beneath the landward end of Mornington pier is a rocky platform teeming
with fish (most memorably, zebrafish). If you shine your torch into the
spaces between the rocks, you wonât be disappointed. My newest dive buddy
Will and I explored Mornington Pier on Friday January 8. We stayed mostly
under the pier, and found this rocky area to be the most lively.
As Will is new to Victoria, I convinced him that he had to dive Flinders
Pier next (if you havenât dived it, you should). I knew heâd love it:
Unusual terrain- a bed of sea grass, so the bottom looks green instead of
yellow, and we were likely to see some weedy seadragons.
Our dive at Flinders reminded me of two things: an Easter egg hunt, and a
Pokemon game (you wander through the grass and fascinating wild creatures
appear). Will spotted four weedy seadragons, and we spent most of our dive
time just floating while observing them. In particular, we spent a long
time observing one that was feeding on microscopic lifeforms. Its little
O-shaped mouth actually reminded me of the Pokemon Bellsprout.
We were impressed by the diversity of the pylons. It was common to see a
plant with thick green foliage growing on one pylon, and a plant with thin
green foliage on the one next to it. The pylons hosted lots of starfish
too, and yellow, orange and purple sponges.
We also spotted a deck chair, which I attempted to sit on, stirring up a
lot of sand, and two massive rays flapping by.
Itâs very satisfying diving in a place you know is awesome with someone
seeing it for the first time. Iâd been right. Will did love Flinders Pier.
If you havenât been there yet, youâll love it too.