 |
|
Tuesday - Blue Linckia Sea Stars were aplenty today
|
date: 9/9/2008
Author:Shay Young
|
CONDITIONS
Weather: Sunny | Air Temp: 22°C | Wind: SW 10/15 knots | Water Temp: 21°C | Water Visibility: 15-25m |
Sea State: Slight Chop
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
Today started with a slight breeze and still waters making it a beautiful day for many activities; the first to kick off was the guided reefwalk with Laura where guests immersed themselves in loads of information about the shallows of the lagoon. Blue Linckia Sea Stars were aplenty today with lots of different sizes recorded; when the Blue Linckia becomes older it turns brown in colour. Sea Hares were also out in force with both the Aplysia and Dolabella species sighted, when disturbed the Sea Hare will shoot out purple ink. Scientist think this may work much like the ink of an octopus that allows it to escape when necessary behind the coloured cloud; unfortunately for the Sea Hare it’s not quite that fast and therefore cannot escape as quickly as an octopus.
The Tropic Birds were suspiciously quiet today looking after their newborn. Sebastian, Zulu and Damien our three resident chicks are now doing well, still hiding under wing away from harm. How do we know if the chick is male or female? Unfortunately we don’t, it is impossible to tell the difference between male and female adults and chicks.
Divers today had excellent visibility ranging from 15 to 25 metres; with both a morning and afternoon dive going ahead. The morning dive was at the Blowhole where a few lucky divers had the chance to see Silver-tip, White-tip, Bronze Whaler Sharks and even a 3.5 metre Tiger Shark in his element, cruising through the water column in a sluggish nature. This type of activity is very rare around the island, and had the making of excellent dinner conversations. The afternoon dive took place from the Lighthouse to Anemone Bommies and then to Sunset Drift, with a large number of divers heading out to enjoy the warm 21° waters. This dive was full of marine life with Olive Sea Snakes, and Manta Rays; Cleaner Shrimp were also in abundance with some divers taking a break from the marine life to get a quick manicure from one of the shrimps cleaning stations which remove parasites and other marine growth from fish on a daily basis, however on this occasion picking skin from around the divers fingernails.
The word from the dive shop ‘Who needs friends when you’ve got anemones like these!’ Anemone Bommies being the inspiration behind dive instructor Kym’s quote of the day with many anemones sighted in this area. The anemone fish lives within these anemones with over 100 species of anemone found throughout the world and only 10 available for the anemone fish to live in! That’s not a very big home choice.
Sea stars have extra features at the end of each arm, they are supplied with an adapted tube foot with light sensitive cells, these act as eyes for the animal.
Today has surely proved to be another truly special day on our magnificent coral cay!
|
|
Anemone Fish - Marty Charlton
|
click to download flash player