Puzzles
We’ve turned some of our favourite images taken by our scientists into puzzles – select your difficulty and away you go!
Yellow Crested Weedfish
Photograph: Julian Finn
This image of a Yellow Crested Weedfish, Cristiceps aurantiacus was taken during underwater photography for the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability's 2016 State of the Bays report. Museums Victoria's Senior Curator of Marine Invertebrates, Dr Julian Finn encountered this cute little fish hiding among the fronds of a dislodged piece of sea weed, washing back and forth in the ocean swell beneath Flinders Pier in Western Port. The distinctive crest of the Yellow Crested Weedfish is formed by the front portion of the dorsal fin that protrudes in front of the fish's eyes and is separate to the longer second dorsal fin that runs along the fish’s body. Unusual among fishes, the Yellow Crested Weedfish has internal fertilisation, with females giving birth to live young.
Easy (10 pieces) | Medium (60 pieces) | Hard (200 pieces)
Australian Fur-seals
Photograph: Julian Finn
This image of a bob of Australian Fur-seals, Arctocephalus pusillus was taken during filming of Underwater Backyard, an immersive vertical dome projection exhibited at Scienceworks in 2014 . These seals are a group of bachelor males that haul out (or rest) on a special platform erected by Parks Victoria in the South Channel of Port Phillip. Snorkelers and SCUBA divers regularly visit this area to swim with the seals but are warned to keep their distance, as the seals may become aggressive if approached too closely. The immersive footage from Underwater Backyard records the state of Port Phillip in 2014 and provides a beautiful watching experience for museum visitors and curious viewers.
Easy (10 pieces) | Medium (60 pieces) | Hard (200 pieces)
Ornate Cowfish
Photograph: Julian Finn
I still remember taking this image of a Ornate Cowfish, Aracana ornata. I was diving on the shallow seagrass beds off Flinders Pier on a sunny Autumn day (taking images for the Marine Life exhibition), when I chanced upon this cute little fish. Excitedly I swam up behind it and to my complete surprise it immediately spun 180 degrees and stared me down. On realising that this little fish had the courage of a Great White Shark, I tried this manoeuvre again. With my camera ready, I was able to snap this shot. This image also features on the cover of Museums Victoria Field Guide: Introduction to Marine Life which is available from the Museums Victoria store.
Easy (10 pieces) | Medium (60 pieces) | Hard (200 pieces)
