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a very large blue Linckia sea star right on the edge of the water
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date: 20/2/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
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Weather: Sunshine beautiful sunshine! | Air Temp: 28°C | Wind: Variable light wind | Water Temp: 27°C | Water Visibility: ~ 20 m | Sea State: Calm
It was another magnificent day of sun here at Lady Elliot Island. The increase in sunlight had spurred on a bloom of trichodesmium which is basically a microscopic algae. This in turn was fuelling the rest of the system making the ocean incredibly rich with life.
Thousands of plankton eating fish were having a field day off second reef when the glass bottom boat arrived there in the morning. Eight Manta rays pierced through the huge schools of blue green chromis, fusilier and silver drummer, and cruised up and down second reef. It was a sight to behold with everyone on board being able to see one of these amazing creatures from the water. One man dove down to better see where on the surface the Manta’s might be and when he looked up he said there was one right above him! It soared right above him showing its whole ventral side. The snorkel boat was called a lot of things today and perhaps the phrase that described it best is “mind boggling”.
The divers also had a very memorable time with Boris the friendly hammerhead shark coming past for a visit. One guest said “That’s it. I’m getting a tattoo of Boris,” which made everybody laugh but also showed just how powerful the experience had been for him.
In the afternoon guests came on a reef walk and saw a very large blue Linckia sea star right on the edge of the water. Blue Linckia sea stars actually begin their adult life out on the reef crest and come closer to the shore as they grow larger and is probably why the one we saw today was so big! The leopard spot sea cucumber also made a few appearances along the walk today as well.
Many of the guests chose to sit under the light house to watch the sunset this evening and some described it as the best they have ever seen. Some very whispy clouds lined the horizon and a thin layer of high altitude cloud made the whole sky blaze with colour. On top of that a massive lightening storm was centred over Hervey Bay adding another element to the already beautiful setting.
After dinner a Night Stalk was the scheduled activity and it went ahead as planned with only a small group showing up. Staff had a surprise for the guests that came and brought out a bucket of tiny turtle hatchlings to be released. It was great to have such a small group as it made the experience very intimate and made the evening feel very special.
All I can say is what a day, what a day, what a day…
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Blue linckia - Jess Howard
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