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A friendly Batfish, stayed around the snorkel line
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date: 2/3/2009
Author:Jess Howard
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Weather: Couldn’t have been better!! | Air Temp: 28ºC | Wind: East/North East 5 knots | Water Temp: 26ºC | Water Visibility: ~20 metres | Sea State: Glassy
If you weren’t on Lady Elliot Island today, I’m sorry, you missed out!!! Today was absolutely sensational!
The glassbottom snorkel boat at 11am headed out from the Lighthouse keyway straight towards a group of Manta Rays. Manta here, Manta there, Manta Manta everywhere. Oh wait nope, that’s a dolphin. That’s right, a dolphin was sneaking around mooring one, showing off its slender silver body before shooting off into the distance. Down at Second Reef, turtles decided to give us a show, popping up everywhere. And the sharks, wow, a Black-tip Reef shark and a small Bronze whaler shark bypassed eachother on the outer edge of the reef, just as two turtles appeared. Then an enormous Leopard shark meandered lazily down the edge of the reef, giving snorkelers the chance to swim above him. A friendly Batfish, stayed around the snorkel line the entire time snorkelers were in the water. He wasn’t bothered about anything, just stayed at the rope watching snorkelers and posing for photos.
Divers at the Blowhole and Hiro’s Cave this afternoon, reported seeing Manta Rays, Eagle Rays and a Marbled Ray which as diver, Amy describes “looks like a marbled benchtop”. Small reef sharks scooted in and out of sight, and a massive Grouper sat still on the bottom oblivious to the divers surrounding him and taking photos. Also in the water were lots of big Jellyfish that the Green Turtles were munching on. Yummy!
Afternoon Island discoverers stood at the southern end of the airstrip watching the most adorable baby Common Noddies play. One little one was trying so hard to fly, by jumping up and down and flapping his wings. Keep trying little buddy! The fish were hungry today, as they darted into the fish pool munching on food. One Sergeant Major was so excited, he kept swimming in circles, running into peoples legs and other fish.
Guests gathered in the Lagoon Bar after dinner to try their hand at Reef Bingo, and oh the fun they had. Cheering for the ones they had, and screaming “Lady Elliot Rules” as their final chant, had everybody in fits of laughter. An enjoyable night for all!
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Bat Fish - Jess Howard
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