Fiona Ayerst

Maybe have the power to capture our imagination. If you live in Auckland New Zealand, please consider following the account making_mermaids, just stay up-to-date with our Mermaid school. If you don’t live in New Zealand, then perhaps follow us anyway for incredible photos, and stories that enthral and delight.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RbXuSJMvVbDRa3DN/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Ever wondered what a mermaid is? They're mythical creatures found in folklore and legends around the world. Typically depicted as having the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish, they are known for their affinity with the sea. Mermaids care for the oceans.

Though tales vary, mermaids are often associated with enchantment, luring sailors with their captivating songs and haunting beauty. While some stories portray them as benevolent beings, others depict them as mysterious and sometimes dangerous creatures of the deep.

In essence, being a mermaid is a symbol of the enduring fascination humans have with the mysteries of the ocean. Whether you view them as purely mythical or believe in their existence, the legend of the mermaid continues to capture our imagination and inspire wonder about the vast, unexplored depths of the sea. 🌊✨ 🧜‍♀️

Even though it reduced the clarity and sharpness, the Facebook 3D effect works quite well on this one. What do you think? With Debbie Mather-Pike my ace underwater model

Fundays in gold…. A spring water shoot with friend and underwater supermodel Debs . Lily pad landings

The population of the Balinese long-tailed monkey, Macara fascicularis, also known as the Macaque in the Monkey Forest Ubud, is about 1059 monkeys! They are divided into family groups according to which part of the forest they live in, with about 120 monkeys each. The monkeys are active in the daytime and rest at night, like humans. They are omnivorous, and their diets include fruits, leaves, flowers, insects, and small animals. Staff feed them a nutritious diet, which keeps them coming back. They are free to leave the forest and forage in the town, which they do as, as you'll see in a later post.

The Monkey Forest Ubud is a popular tourist attraction in Bali, and it's incredible to think that visitors can observe the monkeys in their natural habitat and that they don't have to be in cages. The Monkey Forest plays an essential role in conservation efforts for Macaca fascicularis, as it provides a protected habitat for the species amid the rapidly expanding development on the island of Bali.

This first lot of photos depict the forest in general, and later in the week, there'll be more specific pictures and information.

The little GoPro Hero9 doesn’t do a bad job , no lights. Used a red flip filter. A field of anemones and cardinal fish. Tulamben, Bali.

Those who follow my profile will know I'm travelling in Bali this week and next. I came over to do some writing interspersed with some sightseeing. You can't come to Bali and sit inside all day - right? I"m staying in The North, close to the famous volcanic beaches of Lovina. I decided a trip to Banjar Hot Springs was in order; it's only a three km walk from where I'm staying. This was a welcome break from hours at the keyboard. Bali is a volcanic island. These springs are thermal and thought to heal diseases as the water contains sulphur- known locally as holy hot springs. Worth a visit if you find yourself in North Bali one day. I recommend going early to avoid crowds: weekend locals and busloads of tourists during the week. I arrived at 9.30 am and had a quiet hour before it got busy.

Common Dolphins teaching their calves to hunt is just one of many fascinating behaviours you can watch on the annual
This year we are running from the sumptuous Crawfords Beach Hotel and we have a lot to offer clients.
Visibility, action like hunting common dolphins,even bottlenose dolphin and interactions with the illusive Brydeswhale.
Then home to a hot shower and the best food with a snug bed to follow.

Our tours are fun and adventurous
But we also share a wealth of knowledge and information…. With naturalists leading each trip, dedicated to the world surrounding us and sharing their insights.

Book here https://bluewilderness.co.za

I’m back after instagram removed me for reasons unknown. My new handle is fiona.ayerst.media. I’m having to start all over so please follow me for new photos…. My old account is gone so you won’t be following me twice. Fi

Continuing my month on incredible ocean-loving women- I want to introduce you to turtle mad, Nats dos Santos. She's a free-diving, sea turtle-researching, ocean-minded marine biologist who loves wild places and creatures. She's also a talented writer and specialises in all things marine. Nats is completing her MSc (Zoology) studies at Nelson Mandela University. You can connect with her here: https://loom.ly/oVTDCYE
and read some of her work here:
https://loom.ly/SUOC8Hw

Today's wonder woman is Multi-award-winning, Dr Judy Mann-Lang, the Executive for Strategic Projects at the two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. Dr Mann-Lang holds an Honours degree, a Master of Science in Ichthyology, and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the School of Business at the University of Queensland in Australia. This inspires her: “The amazing biodiversity and resilience of the ocean and the incredible people who work tirelessly to care for the ocean – in so many different ways.”

Sophie Roselt-Hemstalk hails from Zimbabwe, lived in South Africa and is now in New Zealand. Sophie is an artist of note, and has an intense love and passion for the oceans and everything that lives in them. That passion is infectious! She's worked with Greenpeace and is an instructor at Dive Tutukaka. Sophie ran my underwater photography program in 2013, and I hope to be diving with her again later this year.
Visit her ocean art shop here
https://loom.ly/aNJW114
https://loom.ly/9mfqmBE

And now for my first fantastic woman of the underwater world, shining today, the second week in March 20123. Debbie Mather-Pike is quite literally a mermaid. Together with her husband, Stu, they owned and ran the incredibly popular Simple Scuba in Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique. I've chosen Debs as her love for the ocean is addictive and infectious, rubbing off on many young mermaids. Also, this is for you Debs because I know you miss it so much. For many years, Debs was my number one model and what a lot of fun we had diving in the Red Sea and Mozam!

Today I've chosen gorgeous over-achiever Olivia Taylor (https://www.facebook.com/OliviaEarth), as my ocean heroine! At the tender age of 18, Liv founded the Four Elements Conservation NPO, which, amongst other things arranged five massively well-attended ocean swims, to raise funds for conservation. Liv works in ESG (environmental, social and governance) at a private equity firm. Liv's one to watch. I was once lucky enough to capture Liv on both stills and video underwater. I'm looking forward to following her career.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069546484510 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rZhVwRvBfY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJYDUZ8l_Ns

, https://www.facebook.com/OliviaEarth

It's women's day. A special day in a special month dedicated to my ocean sisters, and so just for today, I'm not choosing just one. There are so many dynamic and incredible women involved in ocean-related arts, business, and science that I'm never going to be able to fit them all into 30 days. I'll have to concentrate on South African water babies. My sincere apologies to those I don't manage to mention- it's not because you are doing any less or are any less incredible but that there are just too many of you wonder-women!

Sophu Qoma is my first stunning lady doing great things for the ocean. She is a director of the Shark Research Unit in Mossel Bay. She has spent years studying marine biology and is living the dream. She owns a private company, fighting for permits and the right for the private sector to conduct research in South Africa. Sophu is ensuring young people have a shining pillar, a golden goddess to admire. A heroine!
Find Sophu here

https://loom.ly/Q6T6BN0

March is Women's History Month, a time to reflect on women's countless triumphs, struggles, and contributions everywhere and their vital roles in shaping our past, present, and future. From trailblazing pioneers to unsung heroes to everyday leaders, I'll share titbits from the stories of remarkable women who dare to make a difference!

It's Grammar Day today. As it's a personal fave, I cannot resist posting at least something about grammar..... a small relief from all the underwater stuff. We don't write much under the waves!

It's the UN today. I want to dedicate this post to the two very dear rhinos that lost recently to poachers! So this is for you, dear &clyde (it's the last time I saw you) and all the other thousands of rhinos who have succumbed to the insatiable greed of mankind. Please support anti-rhino poaching however you can. Save the Rhino International
savetherhino.org
https://loom.ly/7aG5AJQ › rhino-info › extinction
https://loom.ly/QVZFHwQ

As the weather cools in Southern Africa, the Sardines begin their epic annual journey along the South African Coastline. As it's on my list of trips each year, I'm sure you won't object if I share a few photos? It's after all. If you're keen to join me this year https://loom.ly/Xpv_Jqo

My heart goes out to these animals…. I’m glad they are in safe hands now. Please donate if you can 🥰

Some people refer to Wednesday as as it is the hump in the middle of the week! I prefer . A day to spend a few minutes reflecting on the incredible world surrounding us and giving thanks for that. For me, that world is best reflected underwater.

Incredible that the divers could do this! Please remove or report floating or stranded nets from the ocean

Rescuers use knives to free trapped humpback whale

For this edition of , Dale Morris. Photographer. Guide. Writer is one of my all-time favourite travel and wildlife photo-journalists. I follow all his social media feeds and love his sense of humour and passion for his art. If you follow Dale, you will not be disappointed by the sheer perfection of his imagery. He is one of very few photographers I know who can upstage an underwater photographer with an image shot from a boat !!!!! What an eye.
Image copyright Dale Morris

It's Thursday again and time for a tip or trick, helping to take your from bleh to wow! Here's a 'before and after' photo of the same subject from student , Hayley Reitsma on my recent beginners underwater photo course with Gozo Azul Diving in Mozambique.The tips Hayley followed to produce her incredible image are simple:
1. Avoid shooting down;
2. Look for unusual angles and shoot across or from slightly under to get separation from an ugly background;
3. Watch your lighting, not only the direction of your beam but also, get in close to your subject;
4. If you're gonna amputate any limbs, do it like you meant it so that the viewer knows you made a choice.

It's . I'm most often asked where my favourite dive spot is. This is potentially a difficult ?; however, the simple truth is that my fave spot is ANYWHERE that I'm underwater.