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Monday - A moray eel also intrigued many of the divers
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date: 19/1/2009
Author:Shay Young
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Cloudy with patchy sun | Air Temp: 31°C | Wind: SE winds 15/20 knots | Water Temp: 27°C | Water Visibility: ~15m | Sea State: Calm
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
The day began with a bird watching tour looking for many species both on the ground and in the air. The first bird to be sighted was the spectacular frigate bird soaring high in the sky; the frigates are usually sighted as a large flock soaring above the island. The frigate birds will never be seen on the ground unless they are injured, as they find it impossible to take off from the ground, they will usually perch themselves in a tree. We then spotted the bridled terns, white-capped noddies and crested terns as the tour moved along; the oystercatchers were also out and about feeding on the shoreline for molluscs and crustaceans.
The glass bottom boat heading out and around second reef for a view of the reef and its creatures through the glass before guests jumped in for a snorkel around the reef. A very large bull ray was sighted along with 2 eagle rays gliding through, one missing its tail; turtles of course dominated the sightings both above and below the water with guests all feeling a sense of awe after watching these amazing reptiles move through the water with such grace. The blue-green chromis were all near the surface today feeding on tiny particles in the water column, these chromis always leaving a lasting impression on guests with their vibrant green colours.
The island discovery tour saw guests heading out to look at some of the vegetation on the island with particular attention paid to the octopus bush. The octopus bush is one of the first species to inhabit the island with the seeds floating in from the ocean and establishing themselves in the higher part of the beach forming a big ring around the island and essentially a wind break.
The Fish Pool was alive with activity as fish feeding took place this afternoon with Nigel the silver drummer heading in for a feed and some finger mark perch joining him.
The divers today also went out on the western side of the island with Severence visited in the morning and three pyramids in the afternoon. Turtles, reef sharks, trevally and parrotfish were all spotted with eagle rays and leopard sharks taking up most of the diver’s attention. A moray eel also intrigued many of the divers who ventured to the Severence Wreck, the moray was around 2m and very interested in the divers presence in its underwater home.
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Moray Eel - Jess
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