Wait pays off for blooming great shot

AMATEUR photographer Jamie Walker spends much of his spare time searching for pink algal blooms.

It is research that, when night falls, allows him to become one of Tasmania’s most active bioluminescence chasers.

He is the photographer behind these stunning photos of a mass bioluminescent bloom at the Freycinet Peninsula, shots he says he’s waited for more than two years to take.

“It was one of the best nights of my life. The whole bay from beyond Honeymoon Bay to the Freycinet boat ramp was just full of bio,” Mr Walker said.

“It was as far as the eye could see out to the ocean as well. It was incredible and the biggest night in six years for me.”

Mr Walker said Tuesday night’s ideal weather conditions allowed him to capture the natural phenomenon, caused by a type of lightemitting plankton. He says he spent the night camped in his car to ensure the best photo and woke early the next morning to see it still in high bloom.

Mr Walker says he dedicates most nights hunting for either the algal blooms, or auroras, to capture.

“On aurora nights I pack my bag with a Bunsen burner, coffee, my chair and my blanket and just sit and wait.

Sometimes I’m out there for seven hours and get nothing, but other times I’m rewarded,” he said.

“I do a lot of scouting on Google maps trying to find unnamed waterfalls or ones that haven’t been photographed because I like to showcase our beautiful state.”

To keep up-to-date with active bioluminescence sightings in the state, follow the bioluminescence Tasmanian public group on facebook.