Not just Shark
Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and
chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based
field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter
different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into
a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark
diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark
pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and
conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a
constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark
links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and
stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to
check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on
an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:
If you're looking
for a broader range of marine life pictures the following links
represent a new area of elasmodiver.com that contains pictures of
other marine organisms and of marine habitats. This expansion of
Elasmodiver is in its first stages but will eventually include pages
on all types of marine mammals, bony fishes and marine invertebrates
as well as coastal habitats, reefscapes and other imagess relating
to the ocean. Please return regularly to enjoy the progress.
First published in
Shark Diver Magazine March 2011
THE
MASTER OF DISGUISE
In southern Australia theres a secretive little shark called the Cobbler
wobbegong. Like most wobbies it is exquisitely painted in vibrant oranges
and browns that form saddles along the length of its body and tail. Between
these richly colored bands lie complex patterns of dark and pale spots that
serve to break up its overall shape, rendering it invisible to passing fish.
Unlike other wobbies the Cobblers back is also covered with strange
wart-like tubercles that further obscure its silhouette.
According to the experts, the Cobbler wobbegong (Sutorectus tentaculatus) is
a common inhabitant of inshore southern reefs. In reality however, you need
super human vision to spot one. Not content with blending perfectly into the
sponges and rocks, cobbler wobbies like to hide under dense mats of kelp.
Because theyre so hard to spot I have been looking for a cobbler to
photograph for a long time and when I finally found one it was completely
unexpected. Technically, I was searching for Leafy sea dragons (yep, I know
theyre not sharks). I was diving in Bremer Bay; a small fishing village
fringing the restless southern ocean. It is a six hour drive south of the
remotest city in the world so it doesnt see many fishermen (or divers)
which is good news for the legions of exotic species of fish that still
flourish on its surge pounded reefs.
I was floating along in the surge with my face about six inches above the
kelp. This is quite disorienting after a while and I wouldnt recommend it
if youre prone to sea sickness. The whole reef canopy was swaying back and
forth queasily as the incoming rollers swept towards shore. As the kelp went
one way, I kicked the other and inadvertently caught a fleeting glimpse of a
camouflaged fin waving in time with the rest of the reef. I immediately set
aside all thoughts of Sea Dragons.
I woke up my Nikon and tweaked it into shark mode then I anchored myself
to the seabed and tried to brush the kelp away long enough to get a good
look at the shark. On the next gust of surge I spotted the telltale bumpy
skin and realized that I was staring at my first Cobbler wobbegong cool! I
get the same rush from seeing a new wobbegong as most divers would get from
seeing their first great white shark.
I backed off a little and thought about how to compose a shot. It wouldnt
be easy with all that foliage covering its body. I tentatively snipped off a
few fronds (kelp grows back really fast) and waited to see if the wobby
would bolt. It was wedged securely under a ledge and made no move to flee.
So, reassured, I continued gardening until Id cleared enough space to see
its whole torso. What slowly materialized was a beautiful 3ft long female.
Her colors and markings were the most striking of any wobbegong I have ever
seen.
She waited patiently while I composed frame after frame, regarding me
through serpentine, gold flecked eyes. Protruding from her chin were
extremely long and slender barbells but she lacked the wobbegong-like
branching skin flaps that are characteristic of most species.
Satisfied with my images, I remained on the seabed clutching clumsily at the
rocks through my thick dry-gloves. I wanted to absorb as much as I could
about this animal, figuring that I was unlikely to see another Cobbler
wobbegong any time soon. It occurred to me that she was probably a full
grown adult. Some wobbegong species can reach three meters in length but
Cobblers rarely exceed one. Sadly, wobbegongs are seriously over-fished in
Australian waters. It is likely that the Cobblers unprofitably small size
is one of the reasons that it has continued to thrive, while its larger,
more lucrative cousins have been dangerously depleted.
Surprised by an unusually strong surge, I was swept against the wobbies
resting place. As I tumbled over it, I thought that this added harassment
would be the final straw that caused the wobbegong to swim away, but it
didnt move a muscle, relying on its instinct to become one with the reef
rather than draw attention to itself.
I would have liked to stay and play with this unusual shark all day, but
already feeling way too invasive, and not wanting to cause the shark any
more distress, I backed off and let the surge pull me away.
The ocean has been good to me. This was one more awesome, unexpected treat
and one more wobbegong ticked off my list. That makes six. Three more left
to shoot in Australia and one more species in Japan. Hmm, Japan where the
cold North Pacific crashes into the tropics. Home to goblin sharks and who
knows what else. Now theres an adventure!
