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in front of the bar for the turtle talk
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date: 21/2/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
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Weather: Sunshine | Air Temp: 28°C | Wind: Variable light winds | Water Temp: 27°C | Water Visibility: ~ 20 m |
Sea State: Calm
The glass bottom boats scored premium conditions today with one guest describing the island as “Paradise!” Green juvenile turtles abounded along the snorkel rope and guests awed by their good fortune. A black tip reef shark was also seen around today making for some interesting first experiences with this awesome marine predator. One guest screamed and practically walked on water back to the boat when she sighted it. She laughed later when she found out that we see reef sharks out here every day and that it is completely harmless because they like to eat little mollusks and crustaceans. She expected to hear that they ate turtles but after hearing their true diet she didn’t think that they were very scary at all!
At fish feeding today it was low tide and the fish pool was like a bath. Guests waded out to see big schools of sergeant major going ballistic among the food and loved the sensation of the fish rubbing their slimy bodies on their legs. The Picasso trigger fish is very territorial and generally likes to hang out the back of the fish pool where it darts in to snatch food, so sometimes it can be a little hard to see. The amazing conditions today meant that this was not the case and everybody had a chance to observe this beautiful fish’s vivid colouration. Some people had a giggle as well saying they had actually been chased by the same fish through the keyway at coral gardens.
Jenni the resident turtle expert led guests out in front of the bar for the turtle talk in the afternoon, and it wasn’t so guests could have a drink while she talked either. A nest had come up a few nights previous and Jenni was processing the nest to count the eggs that had hatched. She processed the nest in front of some exited guests and to their surprise found 16 little turtles which she collected up so they could be released in the safety of darkness. Jenni then counted the empty eggs and found that there had been 122 hatchlings; a very good nest.
After dinner guests relaxed in the education centre and watched the documentary “Australia’s Greatest Islands”, which features Lady Elliot Island. It was the perfect way to unwind after a busy day in the water.
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Hatchling - Jess Howard
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click to download flash player