While I didn’t get my hurkle-durkle in on Saturday, it was still a relatively lazy day. This resulted in me getting itchy feet and wanting to get out and do something on Sunday. My preference was a snorkel, but with a forecast of fresh winds and being mostly cloudy it was not looking promising for a swim with the fish. The expected wind directions hinted the west coastline would offer the best chance. So I packed ready for both a snorkel and/or a climb, knowing full well that the early start would mean at least my climbing gear would get used:
I aimed for Smiths Beach, and walking in there were heaps of Wavyleaf Sea Lavender (Limonium sinuatum). And as happens so often, it is the weeds that look so pretty. Originally from the Mediterranean region this is a common and much loved choice for gardens. Having escaped the confines of gardens decades back it has naturalized and become widespread across much of Australia. Considered an environmental weed in Western Australia, little is done to manage it and we can add it to the list of invasive species the desire for western styled gardens has brought here:
Being by myself I could cram in a few lines and would still have time for a dip. Helped by not needing to set up multiple anchors, and only hitting four lines instead of the normal six. In fact the routes were wrapped up within the hour, not that I rushed them. Being keen to focus on climbing efficiently, as opposed to expeditiously. Savouring the insecure holds on steep terrain, I was keen to make sure I used good technique. So I stayed in many positions to figure out how to make best use of each hold. As such I worked that little bit longer on each line, the rationale being stamina training for an up and coming trip:
And after my Friday morning session at Welly Dam in sandals where I definitely got a workout, I felt I didn’t need to climb anymore today. Mind you I did ponder my options for a while as I looked across the bay towards Canal Rocks. The view shown above suggested the sheltered bay looked reasonably flat, but the cloud persisted only allowing the sun to break through for glimpsing moments. Decision made and driving the short distance I again looked out across the bay. The winds were shifting and rippling up the surface, but for now it still didn’t look too bad so I suited up:
Just like Meelup Regional Park last weekend, this place is not as prone to being churned up as quickly as at Peppy Beach. While the visibility was not mega it was reasonable, and I could spot movement all about. I didn’t chase too many fish but did pop down to check out the many crevices. Fair to say my ability to hold my breathe is currently pretty poor, hopefully that will improve as the season progresses. We have about 60 species of leatherjacket fish in Australia ranging from 25mm to a meter long, and I always find them so pretty and colourful. This one being a Yellowstriped Leatherjacket (Meuschenia flavolineata):
The common and scientific name being based on the yellow strip found in adults, which are often found in pairs but not today, with flavolineata coming from the Latin words flavus (yellow) and lineata (lined). If I ever go night diving, which I am not sure I will, I would have the chance to see this particular fish biting on a strand of seagrass. Something it does this to avoid drifting about while sleeping. There are a few distinguishing features of leatherjackets, the one I’ll mention today as it is quite clear is that the they have a grove in the top of the head, in which their single serrated spine fits neatly:
Diving down and looking under the roofs there were beautiful gardens that looked to be filled with mushrooms and berries. So even if I didn’t see many fish I am not familiar with, there was plenty to marvel at. I will however finish with a fish, and one I saw a few of last weekend. The Red-lipped Morwong (Goniistius rubrolabiatus) is endemic to Western Australia, and again has a common and scientific name that align, making use of the Latin words rubro for red and labiatus for lips. A bit like the climb it was a shortish snorkel, but not because I was getting cold but the water was roughing up:
Sandbagged 