Snorkeler Over Garden Eels at Queensland Shelf

Amber light from a distant town glows on the horizon, casting a faint warm reflection against the deep blue water. Below, a field of garden eels rises from the sandy sea floor, their slender bodies swaying in unison among the swaying blades of kelp. A snorkeler hovers above them, face mask reflecting the suspended particles that glitter like dust motes in the water column. The early evening monsoon season leaves the water heavy with organic matter, creating a textured haze around the diver. Kelp fronds frame the edges of the view, their dark green surfaces against the pale sand. The snorkeler's fins cut gently through the water, disturbing the sand slightly near the eel bases.