A-Frames 15-07-07

[Scuba-Doh!]

First dive buddied with Tom and in with group including Danny (leading), Paul and Kenny. Danny took us down to the first A-Frame which stood in 18m of water (the limit of the other divers). A-Frame is made up of concrete posts and some metalwork. What remains of this frame is still standing vertical and is teeming with anemones of various species and the legs of brittle-star starfish interlaced around them. Around the frame and back towards the entry point where the rubble of shallower A-Frames has come to rest. Perfect man-made reef with holes under the big concrete beams dug out by crabs and lobsters. Hermits and velvet swimming crabs a-plenty here with a good few starfish too.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1255/819580548_502c86a2c1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nand/819580548/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/819703467_b2aa3574a5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nand/819703467/)

BBQ during surface interval with our expert chef Mohammed (fantastic at cooking on the barbecue).

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/820770170_4f1d4f8b22.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nand/820770170/)

Second dive was just Paul and I. We went in for a shallow dive and a bimble about. Took a brief visit to the bottom of the reef at 12m and worked our way up and across. Loads to see including a butterfish and a large edible crab neatly tucked in a hole dug under a concrete beam. Some rooting around the seaweed may have uncovered further life but would have reduced the visibility which was at best 4-5m.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1404/819993645_49397078f5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nand/819993645/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/819993863_cb28f85533.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nand/819993863/)

Took 102 photos between the two dives and surface shots together with two short videos (need more practice in that division). Really helps to take a lot of photos as ones which you think have turned out often haven't.

Click on each photo to visit it's page or click here to view the set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nand/sets/72157600837586086/).

[shmeeg]

Looks like an excellent dive - we drove past there yesterday on the way back from Loch Fyne (to avoid the golf traffic) so I know where it is now. Your pics are great, having macro makes all the difference.

[Scuba-Doh!]

Looks like an excellent dive - we drove past there yesterday on the way back from Loch Fyne (to avoid the golf traffic) so I know where it is now. Your pics are great, having macro makes all the difference.

Thanks shmeeg. Macro does make a lot of difference. I spent some time harassing a hermit crab during my safety stop. Result, several good macro shots of the hermit posing with a starfish :D

[stew]

looks like your getting the hang of that camera ;) , the one with the wee hermit crab is really good.
keep em coming.

[gedan]

Nice pics, might have a go there this weekend if my drysuits fixed in time.

[charlie]

excellent pics: nice one :D

[dive granny]

Great pics Scuba Doh. Well done.:)

[Rusty Nuts]

Nice photos bud,

Dived there many times its a good all rounder

[chris]

the starfish and hermit picture is good buddy, looks like some sort of underwater stand off!

[Iconic]

Looks like an excellent dive - we drove past there yesterday on the way back from Loch Fyne (to avoid the golf traffic) so I know where it is now. Your pics are great, having macro makes all the difference.

Ok, I need to ask, what does macro mean...I notice my DSC N2 has a macro setting but I've no idea what it means...

[stew]

Ok, I need to ask, what does macro mean...I notice my DSC N2 has a macro setting but I've no idea what it means...

perhaps this will explain better... macro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_photography)