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Thursday - harmless jellies fill the waters
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date: 11/12/2008
Author:Jenni Fox
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Fine | Air Temp: 29°C | Wind: N/NE 10 knots | Water Temp: 26°C | Water Visibility: ~ 20 m | Sea State: Calm
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
The water was again thick with ctenophores (harmless jellies) and salps today, making it all the more exciting an environment to be snorkeling amongst. It also meant that everyone was on the lookout for Mantas as all of this soup in the water is their main food source. Those that had a trip on the Glass bottom boat today were not disappointed, along with sighting black tip sharks, whitetips, and leopard sharks, a manta also swam right underneath the glass!
SCUBA divers had a thrilling encounter on this morning’s dive – a tiger shark was seen . This is an extremely rare sighting around Lady Elliot Island, and elated divers couldn’t believe their luck! ! Other features that had the divers buzzing included close-up sightings of leopard sharks, reef sharks, a wobbegong and several mantas!
The Island is a-popping with lots of white-capped noddy chicks, bridled tern chicks, common noddy chicks all emerging from their eggs.
The Reefwalk headed out after lunch today in unbelievably calm conditions making spotting all of the creatures easy. A beautiful slate pencil sea urchin, and a starry moray eel slithering out of sight made everybody’s afternoon.
For those that preferred to stay drier, the still conditions also favoured reef walking, and what a stunning reef walk it was! The surface of tidal pools on the reef flat was glassy clear, affording a fantastic view to the weird and wonderful creatures to be found beneath. A beautiful pencil slate sea urchin with its brilliant thick red spines dazzled guests. The tail of a starry moray eel was seen briefly slipping between gaps in the coral. Pearly sailor’s eyeball algae was also seen, so impressive for its size in that it is in fact a single cell!
The evening was spent in the company of Ranger John Meech visiting from Mon Repos on the Bundaberg coast. Guests sat down for an informative talk on the biology of turtles and then out onto the bright moonlit beach to see the turtles up close and personal. It was a very busy evening with one nesting directly in front of the bar, and seven up on the northern beach!
Special Guests:
Kathy Townsend part of the Manta Research group currently on the island gave a presentation on our majestic Manta rays. In conjunction with researchers world wide they are discovering exciting new information about these elusive creatures. And are just about to release findings on a new species!!
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Salpidae - Laura Smith
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click to download flash player