 |
|
Friday - underwater life excites divers
|
date: 12/12/2008
Author:Laura Smith
|
CONDITIONS
Weather: Fine and sunny! | Air Temp: 29.9°C | Wind: NE/N 10/15 knots | Water Temp: 26°C | Water Visibility: ~ 20 m | Sea State: Calm
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
This morning’s historical tour was a quiet and relaxing exploration into the rich, albeit relatively short history here on Lady Elliot Island. Guest and guide perused over then-and-now photos of the island, and visited old heritage buildings and historically significant landmarks. Lady Elliot Island certainly provides an excellent example of a once-destroyed environment that has bounced back in a dramatic way!
The underwater sights around Lady Elliot Island fail to bore even the most seasoned divers, as dive instructor Chris will testify. Chris was (and I quote), “flabbergasted” after a dive in the afternoon, where he and Discover scuba divers drifted from Maori Wrasse Bommy to Lighthouse Bommies. Along the way they encountered several (yes, several!) leopard sharks, white-tip reef sharks, and turtles. One turtle lazily scratched its underside against some coral. And just when they thought the dive was over and they were preparing to ascend, a large manta ray made an appearance beside them. It hovered over a bommy being cleaned by many eager little cleaner wrasse, before gracefully turning and sweeping right over the divers’ heads! Chris reported that he simply raised his hand up as he kneeled on the seabed, and the manta ray passed overhead, its underbelly making contact with the tips of his fingers as it went. WOW!
Low tide today was at 2:58pm, and the shallow still water in the Fish Pool for three o’clock fish feeding made for excellent viewing. Sergeant majors were one of the many fish species that appeared in large numbers. These adorable little fish are charming to watch as they expectantly approach people in the Fish Pool (just check out the photo!), and as they dart to and fro plucking falling food pellets from the water.
To wrap up the day, marine biologist Jess invited interested guests to join her for a “Rays of the Reef” presentation. We have many species of rays in the waters around Lady Elliot Island, including our iconic manta rays. The presentation was an interesting insight into the biology and behaviours of these rays.
Just another postcard day here on this little cay!
|
|
Scissor tail sergeants - Laura Smith
|
click to download flash player