 |
|
the diamond scale mullet
|
date: 24/4/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
|
Weather: Patchy clouds
Air Temperature: 25.6°C
Wind Speed / Direction: S/SE 10-15 knots
Water Temperature: 25°C
Water Visibility: 10-15m
Sea State: Chop
Sensational conditions out here at Lady Elliot making for another great day in the water. The Glass Bottom Boat steamed out past the Lighthouse bombies hunting for Manta Rays. They were in no shortage either giving everybody a really good look at this enigma of the sea. Out at second reef guests jumped in the water to be greeted by a massive flowery cod. These guys are very closely related to the groper and guests were astonished by its size. Some adventurous snorkellers also came across the tomato clown fish that was ducking in and out of its anemone home. The kids thought it was brilliant to be able to see nemo in the wild. Just as snorkellers were about to get on the boat a brilliant eagle ray swooped by and gave everybody a massive thrill. It had an extremely long tail that seemed to go on forever and shot out into the deeper water but not before some quick guests snapped a photo of it.
Back on the land guests on the Island Discovery Tour loved a pair of white reef eegrets that were wading across the reef flat at low tide. It was a very picturesque moment with the bird a stark contrast against the turquoise water of the lagoon. At fish feeding all of our usual little friends arrived including the diamond scale mullet. This fella is often late to fish feeding coming right as the food is almost gone, but today his watch must have been fixed because it was on time and having a blast swimming around our guests.
After dinner guests came along to release some turtle hatchlings that were found under some lights in the resort. They were released at the top of the sand so that they could make their all important magnetic imprint of the Earth to find their way back in thirty years so they might breed and lay eggs! It was a beautiful occasion that everybody felt privileged to be a part of. After the hatchling release guests retired to their rooms to look over their incredible photo’s of the day.
|
|
Flowery Cod - Jess Howard
|
click to download flash player