Campbell Albatross is one of around 20 albatross species, endemic to Campbell Island in the NZ subantarctic region. #marineexplorer #saef_arc #sydney_science #aurora_expeditions flic.kr/p/2rPo4hf 🧪🦑

Elephant Seals moult once a year in spring. They lose their outer fur layer then re-grow it. During this time they are on land, and are more susceptible to heat loss. #aurora_expeditions #saef_arc #sydney_science #marineexplorer flic.kr/p/2rP2uNd 🧪🦑

As we left the Antarctic region today en route to the NZ Subantarctic islands we were treated to a wonderful display of #icebergs #aurora_expeditions #sydney_science #saef_arc #marineexplorer More pics: www.flickr.com/photos/johnw...

Adelie Penguins are a sea ice obligate species; they need sea ice to forage and survive in Antarctica. They feed primarily on krill, which in turn feed on sea ice algae in winter. Declines in sea ice are expected to impact on Adelie Penguin populations. #marineexplorer flic.kr/p/2rNu8av 🧪🦑

Merry Christmas everyone! To celebrate, here is a selection of white Christmas shots from Antarctica. We're currently sitting over the magnetic South Pole. @aurora_expeditions @saef_arc @sydney_science

Despite their name, Crabeater Seals eat primarily krill. They have specialised teeth for filtering their prey. These two remind me of my Labrador... #saef_arc #sydney_science #aurora_expeditions #marineexplorer 🧪🦑 flic.kr/p/2rNkjek

Sea ice and icebergs have wonderful colours that arise from different processes. White ice is filled with air bubbles which reflect the light. Blue ice is more solid, and the light loses the red wavelengths as it passes through Green/brown ice is coated w algae. flic.kr/p/2rMMnSW #marineexplorer 🧪

Lots of animals huddle together, from birds to bats, rodents to seals. It can be for warmth and protection from predators... I wonder what is going on here? Elephant Seal huddle flic.kr/p/2rMBxDV #marineexplorer #aurora_expeditions #saef_arc #sydney_science 🧪🦑

First icebergs today! In order to qualify, bergs need to be at least 5 m high. I think these ones pass the test. You can only see 10% of the ice mass - the other 90% is below the water #sydney_science #saef_arc #aurora_expeditions #marineexplorer

Elephant seals can dive to great depths in order to find prey (over 2000 m). Their large eyes and sensitive whiskers allow them to find prey in low, or even no light. flic.kr/p/2rMbSin #saef_arc #aurora_expeditions #sydney_science #marineexplorer 🧪🦑

Spectacular morning ashore on Macquarie Island among the seals and penguins... thanks so much to #saef_arc #aurora_expeditions #sydney_science 🧪🦑 #marineexplorer

Royal penguins are endemic to Macquarie Island, and have a cool fluoro hairstyle. This yellow crest is not pure vanity, it is used to signal fitness for breeding, for species recognition and social signalling. flic.kr/p/2rM4Bn3 @saef_arc @sydney_science #marineexplorer @aurora_expeditions 🧪🦑

A new favourite bird for me, the light-mantled sooty. Several of this spectacular bird circled our ship for hours, making the most of the lift from the wind over the superstructure #SAEF #marineexplorer #Antarctica flic.kr/p/2rLTnjT 🧪🦑

Two more albatross species today; shy and grey-headed, and a white-chinned petrel that has followed the ship for hours #marineexplorer #Antarctica #aurora_expeditions #SAEF 🧪🦑

First day at sea on our expedition to Commonwealth Bay in east #Antarctica, and we've been joined by three species of albatross already! Such magnificent birds, cruising effortlessly on massive wingspans #auroraexpeditions #USyd #SAEF @stephgardner.bsky.social #marinescience 🧪🦑

A short set of clips from today's dive at Bare Island; testing lighting and camera settings. Lots of planktivores about... but 15 C water temp was a bit cool. 🦑 vimeo.com/1104838811

Nice to see substantial populations of Hippocampus whitei #seahorses on our surveys of two sites in #sydneyharbour today #marinescience #threatenedspecies 🧪🦑

In our final week of fieldwork at One Tree Island and we have almost completed surveys on 26 sites, with current loggers and microhabitat studies on many of them. A massive thanks to all concerned! 🧪🦑 #SAEF_ARC #SydneyUni #marineexplorer

Whilst there is more dead coral than live, there are signs of growth throughout; small patches of live coral on broken reef, live tips on dead branches. The challenge of course will be when the next heatwave comes. For close ups: www.flickr.com/photos/johnw... #SAEF_ARC #marineexplorer

Our latest paper highlights changes in the marine community at Shiprock in Sydney over half a century. #sydney_science #SAEF_ARC #marineexplorer 🧪🦑 Open access: doi.org/10.1071/MF24...

Wonderful diversity of critters on our surveys today at the Labyrinth, #onetreeisland #sydneyuni #SAEF_ARC #marineexplorer 🧪🦑

Despite extensive damage from the recent cyclone and 2024 bleaching, there are some signs of recovery in the southern GBR #onetreeisland #universityofsydney #SAEF_ARC #marineexplorer 🧪🦑

The photogrammetry stage of our field trip is now well underway, capturing reef complexity and biodiversity in great detail #one_tree_island #sydney_science #marineexplorer #saef_arc 🧪🦑

Getting ready for a day in the field #SAEF_ARC #Universityofsydney ##marineexplorer #@OneTreeIslandRS 🧪🦑

Highly protected, actively managed MPAs with evidence of monitoring and enforcement have more positive ecological outcomes. Cell Reports Sustainability: Cell Reports Sustainability 🧪🦑 www.cell.com/cell-reports...

Day 5 of our University of Sydney research trip to One Tree Island, and we have refined our methods and completed 8 biodiversity surveys. Tomorrow we put out flow meters to measure lagoon currents, then start our microhabitat study in earnest. #marineexplorer 🦑 🧪

Can you see the animal? flic.kr/p/2qRYAN7 🦑

Wobby in a cave, Jervis Bay. #reeflifesurvey #marineexplorer flic.kr/p/2qRMhJd 🦑

Day 1 of #reeflifesurvey in JB; lovely warm, calm conditions for our first two sites 🦑 🧪

A few fishy faces (ok, two are invertebrates) from this morning's #reeflifesurvey at Camp Cove in #sydneyharbour. If you want to see the flathead (looks like just sand and paddleweed until you zoom in) see www.flickr.com/photos/johnw... 🦑 🧪

Several endangered White's #seahorses on the nets in #SydneyHarbour during our surveys last weekend... and more red cuttlefish (A. mestus) than we normally see #marinescience #marineexplorer 🦑 🧪

As we cross from the Coral Sea back into the GBR we have favourable winds and a nice big incoming tide; smiles all around! A few more sites in the GBR over the next few days before we wrap up #reeflifesurvey #marineexplorer 🦑 🧪

Day 12 of #reeflifesurvey in the GBR and Coral Sea, and we are at Marion reefs around 400 km offshore. Some terrific sea life today particularly on our big bommie site. #marineexplorer 🦑 🧪

After 10 days of good weather we have completed #reeflifesurvey in the Capricorn Bunkers, Swains, Saumarez and Frederick reefs. The water is a beautiful blue in the Coral Sea but fish IDs are a challenge! Next: Marion reefs then back to GBR. Pics: www.flickr.com/photos/johnw... #marineexplorer 🦑 🧪

Day 3 and we've been surveying around the Keppel Islands. Conditions were calm last night for our transit to the Capricorn Bunker group. #reeflifesurvey #marineexplorer #marinescience 🦑 🧪

A few critters from today's #reeflifesurvey in the GBR, including a coral lobster and a couple of colourful nudis. www.flickr.com/photos/johnw... #marineexplorer 🦑 🧪

I never tire of #sunrise at sea #marineexplorer #reeflifesurvey

Day 1 of 3 weeks of #reeflifesurvey in the GBR and Coral Sea #marineexplorer

Another #artwork attempt, this time stippling (pen dots... no solid lines) :) flic.kr/p/W8RwnH #shark #marineexplorer 🦑

Hairy anglerfish (Antennarius striatus) angling, yawning and walking 🦑 vimeo.com/660839395

Trying my hand with a paintbrush instead of a camera... red scorpionfish 🦑 flic.kr/p/2mW4BiZ

Love this school of bigeye trevally mooching along in the marine reserve north of Stradbroke Island. 🦑 🧪 Captured during #reeflifesurvey #marineexplorer vimeo.com/722511871

Some highlights from today's dive out the back of Bare Island in Botany Bay, #Sydney 🦑 vimeo.com/1030403413

Several svelte swimming syngnathids... Weedies this time, including 3 males with eggs. 🧪 🦑 vimeo.com/660490777

What's not to love about Syngnathids? vimeo.com/474265816 🦑🧪

Sharing this giant cuttlefish courtship display... I can watch the colour and movement for ages vimeo.com/958787387

Need a chuckle? The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards will brighten your day | Funny | Earth Touch News https://buff.ly/4dALGac 🌎🧪

So I guess I'm here now! I'm Mel, the Ocean Writer & here's my latest story for Nat Geo on the world's largest megacoral, which broke today: www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/... (Will be back in due course to figure out the whole Blue Sky thing & follow y'all!)

Save Our Seas Distinguished Speaker Series: The Case of the Disappearing Maugean Skate - YouTube

Reef Life Survey training in Batemans Bay - 4 great days in the water, and 7 new RLSers certified... well done all!