This particular dolphin was snapped off Sorrento in February 2015. Some say the seaweed is just a plaything and others think it may be the suave dolphin dressed to impress! Just one more marine mystery and a reminder of why a day by the Bay is good … [Read more...]
Bluebottles at Point Leo
Although Bluebottles (Physalia utriculus) are well known for their fearsome sting few Victorians swimmers will have met one. They have been recorded on southern Tasmanian and Victorian coasts (even a couple in Port Phillip Bay) but mostly occur in … [Read more...]
Marine spider discovered at Elwood
Talk about something old and something new. In the same week we heard about the Diprotodon skeleton being unearthed at Sorrento, young naturalist Gio Fitzpatrick found and photographed a marine spider (above) in the Elwood inter-tidal zone. This is … [Read more...]
Dolphins on the doorstep
Another day in the big smoke with all its unfolding dramas. But the big stress these two paddlers had was the possibility of getting booked for straying too close to a dolphin.... when the dolphin could move a lot faster than they can! This pic … [Read more...]
Butterfly shells storm the beaches
Perhaps I was snoring and missed all the action, but unusually high numbers of Common Butterfly Shells Electroma georgiana reported on eastern bayside beaches over the past two weeks are evidence of recent stormy weather. This small, delicate, … [Read more...]
Orange-bellied parrots return to western shore
Orange-bellied parrots breed in Tasmania and migrate to southern Victoria and South Australia between March and September each year to feed mostly on saltmarsh plant seeds. Due to this specialised diet their 'winter' range is limited to saltmarsh … [Read more...]
Southern Garfish graze on seagrass
Gilbert P. Whitley's classic 'Marine Fishes' pocket guide published in 1962 describes garfish as an "exquisite table fish, in spite of their many fine bones. They swim slowly at the surface feeding on minute organisms." But Hall and MacDonald (1986) … [Read more...]
Cart-rut shells alive and well in Brighton
A Baykeeper shoreline shell survey found a large Cart-rut shell (Thais orbita) at Holloway Bend earlier this year, suggesting the species may still live in the area. This species was central to the ban on use of Tributyltin (TBT) as an anti-foulant … [Read more...]
Thresher shark on Hampton beach
Beachcombers at Hampton scored a rare treat last week with a dead Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus) washed up in the shallows. Thresher Sharks are widespread around the world but are known live mostly in oceans rather than bays and inlets. It's … [Read more...]
Stray sea lion lobs in Brighton
You don't expect to see a sea lion in Port Phillip Bay these days, let alone crossing Beach Road in Brighton. But this curious critter turned up in a Brighton back yard in mid September! Reports from early European explorers and bones found in … [Read more...]
Sand crab at Holloway Bend
We're so lucky to have such a beautiful Bay with all its fascinating critters. Better still we've got someone to turn to if we don't know a critter's name. The Melbourne Museum Discovery Centre has an excellent free service in species identification. … [Read more...]
First Humpback for the season
Along with the first icy winds of winter, Hayden Warszewski's report of a Humpack Whale offshore of Brighton this week was a good reason to celebrate. Hayden was enjoying his boat in calm conditions on flat water, thinking "how good is this??!!" when … [Read more...]
High seas drifter lands at Pt Lonsdale
This week's Point Lonsdale seashell safari found another amazing critter stranded on the sand. On first glance its blue-tinged see-through look, odd shape, and rubbery feel suggested it may be a child's toy. But a closer look and some respected … [Read more...]
