Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Stargazer

  1. #1
    Ákos Lumnitzer
    Guest

    Default Stargazer

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This is one of those creatures from the abyss. About 500-600mm plus in length, venomous spines around the pectoral fins and an apparent electric shock similar to the the Numbray. The Numbray is capable of producing 200V and yours truly has had the zap many times during nightdives as he swam into them in the dark, or sat on the sand without realizing.

    Anyway, these guys Kathetostoma laeve (from memory) bury in the sand in deep water. I captured this guy alongside a coal ship wreck (S.S. Tuggerah), about 2km east off the Royal National Park in Sydney, in 150-odd feet of water. I had a quirky habit of lifting them out of the sand with my bare hand to get their photo. Other than the venomous pectoral spines and electric shock, they also have a nasty bite. I must have been narked. :D Also, these areas where the wrecks are lay in severe current prone areas and I had plenty of blue water decos of 30+ minutes on ascent, ending miles away from the boat. Thank God to whoever invented the inflatable surface marker buoys.

    Nikonos III, 15mm u/w Nikkor, f/4 @ 1/30th, Fujichrome 100

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ft. Myers, Florida
    Posts
    997
    Threads
    109
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a creature, Akos! I'd never heard of one before. Thanks for sharing the story, as well as the image. Good illumination for the bottom of the ocean.

  3. #3
    Ákos Lumnitzer
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks guys. Peter, no helpers. I often dived alone, even though you are supposed to be with a buddy, always. Well we were buddies, but we were doing our own things and only remained close by in case. Though self-sufficiency is the most important skill any diver must develop. Not cockiness, just self-sufficiency so one can help oneself in an emergency - other than a complete blackout, which would be fatal.

  4. #4
    Fabs Forns
    Guest

    Default

    He looks like he means business and I wouldn't want to cross on his path :)

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Eagle River Valley, Alaska
    Posts
    1,371
    Threads
    64
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Akos, I've seen more than a few of these critters on night dives in Papua New Guinea and eastern Indonesia, but never one that was fully exposed-only that camo face looking straight up out of the muck. I had a similar experience of almost being gelded by a large mantis shrimp in PNG. Well done mate!
    Last edited by John Ippolito; 07-25-2009 at 12:01 AM.

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the spotlight in the abyss look of this one. Neat pic.

  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    6,829
    Threads
    569
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Akos, I think Steve's comment about the abyss is the feeling I get. I like bizarre looking critters and this is surely one. Well handled!!

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Jay Gould's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    In the whole wide world!
    Posts
    2,788
    Threads
    332
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ákos Lumnitzer View Post
    Thanks guys. Peter, no helpers. I often dived alone, even though you are supposed to be with a buddy, always. Well we were buddies, but we were doing our own things and only remained close by in case. Though self-sufficiency is the most important skill any diver must develop. Not cockiness, just self-sufficiency so one can help oneself in an emergency - other than a complete blackout, which would be fatal.
    Hey Mate, rather than use BPN to discuss safe diving procedures :eek: we will simply agree to disagree ;) :D. By the way, were you diving with doubles?

    When did you shoot this; what lighting were you using?

    Now to the incredible capture! Incredible and Perfect!!
    Cheers, Jay

    My Digital Art - "Nature Interpreted" - can now be view at http://www.luvntravlnphotography.com

    "Nature Interpreted" - Photography begins with your mind and eyes, and ends with an image representing your vision and your reality of the captured scene; photography exceeds the camera sensor's limitations. Capturing and Processing landscapes and seascapes allows me to express my vision and reality of Nature.

  9. #9
    Ákos Lumnitzer
    Guest

    Default

    Jay,

    1999, single overhead flash, which I forgot to put in the OP.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics