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The yellow of the butterfly fish appeared to glow against the amazing clear blue water
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date: 15/4/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
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Weather: Rain in the morning clearing to a brilliant sunny afternoon
Air Temperature: 26.5°C
Wind Speed / Direction: SE 5- 10 knots
Water Temperature: 24-5°C
Water Visibility: 20+ m
Sea State: Calm
Conditions for snorkeling were fantastic again today with light variable winds and picture perfect visibility. Guests on the glass bottom boat couldn’t believe their luck as the clouds gradually opened up making way for beautiful sunshine. Everybody agreed that the colours of the fish were off the planet. The yellow of the butterfly fish appeared to glow against the amazing clear blue water. Big mixed schools of sweetlip and spangled emperor fish were seen off the edge of second reef amid a vast abundance of fusilier that were in the area on account of the plankton. Later in the morning the Manta Rays showed up out off the Lighthouse circling around the bombies occasionally breaking the surface with their dorsal fin making everybody on board hoot and holler with excitement. It was great they showed up and put the icing on the cake for this special day out here on the reef.
The afternoon snorkel safari also had spectacular conditions and made some great discoveries. The hawksbill turtle was seen breaking off coral with its strong beak trying to reach invertebrates hiding amoung the reef. Up at the shark pool the majestic eagle ray swooped past guests giving them the thrill of a life time. The guide estimated its long tail was perhaps 6m long! Guests on the snorkel safari were also very fortunate to see a barracuda being cleaned by the tiny cleaner wrasse. It was fascinating to watch such cooperation, especially since the cleaner wrasse was entering the barracuda’s mouth to clean inside.
After dinner guests came along on a Night Stalk to see some of the nocturnal creatures found on Lady Elliot Island. Up under the light house they found some hermit crabs that were scuttling across the coral rubble. Guests were amazed that this little creature had the strength to carry such a large shell on its back. They were also lucky to come across some green tree frogs that were enjoying the a pool of fresh water created by the rain of the last few days. On the way back across the air strip everybody was mesmerized by the incredible display of stars and retired back to their rooms under a clear Queensland sky.
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Hawksbill - Al Jones
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