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Saturday - highlight of the walk was the New Caledonia Sea Star
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date: 30/8/2008
Author:Shay Young
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Sunny, cloudless sky | Air Temp: 24.4°C | Wind: North East 5 Knots | Water Temp: 21°C | Water Visibility: 20m | Sea State: Calm- not a ripple
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
The day started with a breath taking sunrise over the sparkling lagoon, this signaling the start of a beautiful day for both human and animal alike. The white-capped noddies arose from their slumber and glided off out of sight towards the glistening blue ocean for a day of feeding. As the sun continued to rise higher into the sky the sound of the red-tailed tropicbird filled the air, no doubt heading out for another adventurous day of diving down into the sea, gathering food to bring back for their nesting mate.
The Island Tucker Tour was the first of many explorations today, with guests arriving to find information about some of the amazing native and introduced species that appear on the island and their edible properties found out over many years of trial and error. The Pandanus Palm (Pandaus tectorius) caught the interests of many keen observers finding that the fruit when ripe and bright orange in colour can in fact be eaten of course after being roasted; Banana & Mango crossed is the taste that is derived from this stunning fruit not to mention the nut like seed encased within the fruit being rich in fat and protein. The Pandanus Palm has caught the eye of many guests particularly due to the external prop roots growing above ground, with these props roots capable of growing up to two metres in height. The leaves of the Pandanus Palm are also of great significance to many Pacific Islanders with the leaves having a fibrous network within the leaf structure that is commonly used to weave baskets and mats.
The glass bottom boat and snorkel trip today saw many lucky guests enjoying a snorkel trip full of surprise with Manta rays gliding ever so effortlessly along the surface channeling plankton into their wide mouths with the help of their cephalic lobes.
The Guided Reef walk saw Laura educating a large number of eager guests about many of the wonders found in the reef shallows hiding within the coral crevices. Echinoderms such as Decorator & Pencil Slate Urchins teemed in the crevices with Blue Linckia Sea Stars moving about the sandy bottom with their suction like tube feet in search of its next meal. The highlight of the walk was the New Caledonia Sea Star regenerating the limbs lost in a prior battle lucky to escape with one missing arm. Cone Shells also lined the trails disguising themselves in the sediment with algae growing over their shell awaiting the right fish to swim on by.
Fish feeding had a great turnout of fish today with Diamond Scale Sea Mullet, Sergeant Majors, White-Barred Triggerfish and Moon Wrasse eagerly awaiting their next snack. The Diamond Scale Sea Mullet were particularly fast at catching the feed today leaving only scraps for the other fish to feed on. One particularly cheeky Diamond Scale Sea Mullet decided to bring a friend along; a remora attached to its side feeding on the leftovers and parasites.
The divers today were ecstatic with the weather and sea conditions with both a morning and afternoon dive running. The seas were calm as Reef Lady cruised over the undulating waves of the shoreline only to take the divers to Maori Wrasse and Tubes, this would be the sites for an exciting and adventurous dive with the visibility of around 20 metres and warm 21°C water wrapped around the eager divers. Manta rays, Turtles and Big Eyed Trevally all gathered to enjoy the new company within their alien environment. Sharks also frequented the area ensuring their power was still known in this underwater realm. The Loggerhead turtles stole the show today for diving with two amazing enormous turtles seen swimming through. Marine Biologist Melitta Tanzer was in awe at the size saying ‘The loggerheads were giant; they resembled dinosaurs due to their enormous size.’
Today has surely proved to be another truly special day on our magnificent coral cay!
Special Guests:
We are celebrating two milestone birthdays today with Mrs. Mary Griffith’s enjoying her 80th birthday and Mr. Allen Bainsbridge enjoying his 60th birthday. This is sure to make for a lovely celebratory dinner and evening.
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Reef Walk - Wayne Fox
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