Still waters run deep

Rockhopper Bay

Rockhopper Bay is a cove on the leeward shore of Marion. Despite its protected location, enormous waves created by furious Southern Ocean storms usually smash into the cliffs, where southern bull kelp hang on for dear life. Glassy water like this is a rarity! To capture the moment, Ryan used a tripod and a slow shutter speed, which blurred the movement of the sea and enhanced the dreamy effect.

HOW? Fujifilm FinePix S3Pro, 12 – 24 mm lens, shutter speed 30 seconds, aperture f10, ISO 100, with a graduated neutraldensity filter, a tripod and a remote shutter release. Chris and another researcher, Nico de Bruyn, recently produced a book called which tells the story of 40 years of seal research at Marion and the island’s famous cat eradication campaign. Available at marionseals.com