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a spectacular Diadema sea urchin
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date: 22/4/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
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Weather: Sunshine
Air Temperature: 24.8°C
Wind Speed / Direction: S/SE 15-20 knots
Water Temperature: 25°C
Water Visibility: 10 m
Sea State: Chop
It’s awesome to wake up to sunshine everyday! Some guests rose early this morning and enjoyed a walk around the island taking in the fresh ocean air and azure waters of Lady Elliot Island.
The divers have been having a sensational time at the moment with Manta Rays frequently seen throughout their dives. It is a very exciting feeling to swim with these giants and the look on guest’s faces from the morning dive said it all with big smiles all over.
The guided reef walk came across a spectacular Diadema sea urchin that had wedged itself into a narrow gap between the coral. Guests were intrigued by its long spines that were moving, helping to drive its tiny tube feet on its underside. A school of neon damsel fish were swarming around a very delicate piece of montipora species coral using it as protection. Those people that took cameras with them photographed some brilliant images of the tiny fishes striking colour against the reef.
The guided shore snorkel headed out to the shark pool in the afternoon. On the journey to the shark pool the group was incredibly fortunate observing a plethora of different creatures. Green turtles were in abundance and remained with the group virtually the whole time allowing everybody their own special moment with them. A lazy six foot white tip reef shark was parked up under a coral ledge with the current washing over its gills. It was completely motionless letting people swim right down next to it including one very brave 10 year old boy. Right at the end the group received a big fright in the shape of an 8 foot shovel nose ray. It approached the group from behind and cruised right up underneath them and boy it was a big fish. The guide quickly explained that it was harmless and just how lucky they were to see this beautiful creature.
In the evening guests chilled out to a game of reef bingo. It was a great opportunity to learn a little bit more about the creatures found on Lady Elliot and to have a bit of a chuckle with everyone after a big day of discovery.
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White tip reef shark - Al Jones
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