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a very well camouflaged octopus
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date: 14/6/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
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Weather: Clear, Sunny and Still (Doesn’t get much better!)
Wind: Nil
Water Temp: 22ºC
Water Visibility: ~20 m
Sea State: Flat as a pancake
The glass bottom boat encountered perfect conditions today with sunshine and not a breath of wind to be felt. The water was like a turquoise carpet with the only ripples being created by some hungry Manta Rays that were munching on the plankton out at the Lighthouse Bommies. Their wings occasionally broke the surface of the water while they were turning and with the water crystal clear the Manta’s looked spectacular.
Snorkellers had a visit from what was later identified to be a Giant Northern Petrel, that was very curious of all the commotion. Once in the water it followed snorkelers around and they thought it was hilarious that this giant bird had befriended them! Nick the guide was fortunate to come across a very well camouflaged octopus which he then showed to the guests. It was very hard to see against the reef until somebody came close to it and made it change colour from deep purple to snow white. Guests popped their heads back above the water to see the Petrel back again and looking straight at them. Just under the surface of the water Long Toms were swimming. They are elongated carnivorous fish that have large sharp teeth that are very good for catching unsuspecting little fish. It was just another great discovery made by snorkelers this morning.
The divers had a stellar morning on the dark side of the island seeing one of the most revered predators of the ocean, the Tiger Shark. David Ireland the documentary maker was on the dive too and he said that it was “BIG” which commands a lot of respect. It was perhaps 15ft long and as wide as a car and was happy just swimming past for a look in the great visibility. It definitely got the adrenalin pumping with some guests calling it the dive of their life! The dive trip was also very memorable for a variety of other reasons including a visit from some whales that approached the boat closer than 20m. They then continued out into deeper water breaching multiple times to the awe of onlookers. It completed what was an absolutely epic day in the ocean here at Lady Elliot Island.
Special Guests:
The Project Manta Team and David Ireland |
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Octopus - A Jones
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