 |
|
An enormous Green Turtle stayed put on the sandy bottom
|
date: 20/4/2009
Author:Jess Howard
|
Weather: Sunny and hot
Air Temperature: 25șC
Wind Speed / Direction: South Westerly winds 10-15 knots
Water Temperature: 24șC
Water Visibility: 15 metres
Sea State: Calm
Bright sunny skies awoke the residents and guests of Lady Elliot this morning. An early morning snorkel in the crystal waters of the lagoon was a great kick start to the day. Glassbottom boat goers were lucky enough to find Manta Rays cruising at the surface, moving in slow vertical loops to scoop out the plankton from the water. At Second Reef, a massive Manta Ray swam beneath snorkelers, igniting shouts of awe and delight. An enormous Green Turtle stayed put on the sandy bottom, once rising to the surface to take a breath, before settling again. One small black-tipped Reef shark eyed the snorkelers before making a hasty escape into deeper water.
Afternoon divers at Maori Wrasse Bommie caught sight of a trio of Eagle rays gliding in a row, gracefully turning around, still in formation, to swim in another direction. Island Discoverers, upon their walk found the Mutton Bird chick, all grey and fluffy sitting patiently at the entrance to his hole. Not disturbed by his observers, he just sat there, absorbing camera flashes and comments, before turning his tiny tail and disappearing from sight. Fish Feeding encouraged guests to stand in the cool calm waters of the fish pool, whilst the fish gathered around their ankles and nibbled their rationed food. The Picasso Trigger fish gave onlookers a show, as he darted in and out too quick for the cameras to focus.
Birdwatchers stared up, at the southern end of the airstrip, watching masses upon masses of Frigate birds waiting for their evening meal. As smaller sea birds returned in the late afternoon, from their fishing trips, the Frigate birds swooped down to harass them and make them regurgitate their meal, so they too could have a feed.
The evening turtle trek involved the digging of two nests down in the front of the resort. In the first nest, no baby turtles were found trapped by roots or pieces of coral, but the AWESOME discovery was that every single egg had hatched, which means every single turtle made it out of the nest. WOW!! The second nest, which was just behind the first nest, found six little baby Green turtles trapped under a piece of coral. The lucky little ones made a run down the beach at the northern end, among plenty of cheering and applause from their audience as they finally made it to the sea. Goodluck little ones!!
|
|
hatchling - Jess Howard
|
click to download flash player