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Tuesday - turtles laying eggs in the night
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date: 9/12/2008
Author:Jess Howard
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Hot and Sunny | Air Temp: 28.8ºC | Wind: North Easterly 10-15 knots | Water Temp: 26ºC | Water Visibility: 20 metres | Sea State: Slight
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
A bright sunrise at 4:52, had many people up and into the water nice and early. With the very keen watching last nights nesting turtles return to the ocean after a hard nights work.
Early divers at Anchor Bommie found the water very refreshing as they jumped in to find, sharks and turtles surrounding them. Big Green turtles swam lazily passed, mostly females, maybe relaxing after laying eggs last night, or gearing up to crawl up the beach tonight.
A morning reefwalk gave everyone the opportunity to cool off their feet, whilst learning about all the creatures in the lagoon that are visible at low tide. Playful spitting clams, tiny red-eyed crabs picking the algae of the coral, and the striking red pencil slate urchin just peeking out from under a piece of Blade coral was enough to hear “oohs” and “aahs” from an interested audience.
Glassbottom boaters entered the water at Second Reef, finding upon entry, a Leopard shark just sitting on the bottom. A few ventured down for a closer look, while others kept to the surface. On the northern end of Second Reef, quite a few sharks were playing about. Black-tips and White-tips were cruising throughout the reef, enough to give everyone a look, then back out to deeper water again.
Island discoverers were delighted in all the fresh little faces among the birdlife here on the island. Bridled Tern Chicks and White-capped Noddy chicks were all curious today as they poked their little heads out from under Mum, to say G’day! Fish feeding invited the usual crowd of fish – Moon wrasse, Sergeant Majors, Flagtails, and the beautiful White-barred Trigger fish all crowded in the fish pool to get some tasty snacks.
Some sad news today also, young Toby, the youngest Red-Tailed Tropic Bird was found deceased in his nest this afternoon, probably due to the enormous storm that hit LEI last night. A sad event, but Toby will be remembered as an active little fellow, always keen to act for his audience.
Now as the sun sinks into calm waters of the Coral Sea, turtles are coming up to nest, Noddies are flocking back to shore and people are enjoying the colours displayed by the sun. Life is good on LEI!
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Green turtle returning to sea - Amy Gash
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