February 2007

I am in the midst of some serious image editing from my recent trip to Kangaroo Island in Australia and the Poor Knights Islands in New Zealand, as well as Jason Isley’s and Roger Munns’ images from South Africa. ‘Reef’ is taking up huge amounts of my time and deadlines are looming.

I will try and do a proper write up of the trip, but in the interim I would just like to say a huge thanks to Jim and Josie of Kangaroo Island Dive Safaris, and Kate and Jeroen of Dive Tutukaka - thank you for your help and hospitality - as well as Simon and Helle for not minding the fact I crashed their honeymoon!

TUT19_2_070063.jpg, originally uploaded by MattKK.

The Sugarloaf is well-known for its big groups of stingrays - they like to gather in a trough on one side of this isolated stack of rock. Killer whales have been seen feeding the rays in this area.

TUT17_2_070083.jpg, originally uploaded by MattKK.

Simon Enderby in the midst of the school of blue mao mao that live in the shelter of this arch. This pretty much sums up Poor Knights diving - stunning scenery, huge amounts of life and great water.

_MAT3729.jpg, originally uploaded by MattKK.

Another shot of the same seal from below - very very photogenic!

_MAT3779_1.jpg, originally uploaded by MattKK.

Jim Thistleton of KIDS dropped me off at a sealion colony this afternoon - quite possibly the best few hours I have spent in my life. The young sealions and seals were initially quite shy but after they got used to my noise and bubbles, a few decided I was worthy of their attention and proceeded to investigate what on earth I was. This particular juvenile would let me approach to within inches and seemed to be fascinated by his reflection in the dome port of my camera.