Diving with Dragons
Joanna Smart
Undertaking science underwater isn’t always fun or easy, especially during the Tasmanian winter, but sometimes I can be rewarded by sightings of weird and wonderful creatures. The Weedy Sea Dragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus is endemic to southern Australian waters. The unusual colouring and leaf-like appendages allow the dragons to camouflage in the kelp, where they predate upon small crustaceans with their elongated mouths. Like their seahorse relatives, males are responsible for the incubation of eggs, which they will carry for up to 8 weeks until they hatch. This individual was photographed off Bicheno, on Tasmania’s East Coast.
BEAKER STREET SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE
This photograph was a finalist in Beaker Street’s annual Science Photography Prize. This highly-respected prize invites all Tasmanians to showcase the wonders of our extraordinary part of the world — which is teeming with science and scientists. Finalist images are displayed at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery during Beaker Street Festival each August, with great prizes on offer for Judges’ and People’s Choice winners.
The Beaker Street Science Photography Prize would not be possible without the support of Full Gamut, Tasmania’s premier fine art printers and long-time sponsor of this competition. Many thanks also go to Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which donates a generous prize for the People’s Choice winner.
