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a whale was breaching and providing the noisy songs
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date: 23/6/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
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Weather: Sunny
Air Temp: 21.5ºC
Wind: S/SW 10-15 knots
Water Temp: 22ºC
Water Visibility: 20m
Sea State: Calm
Well what a change to yesterday! The heavens open and the sun shone down bathing the island in a beautiful morning glow. The ocean was remarkably clear and the fish were as vibrant as ever.
The glass bottom boat was amazing today with an extreme amount of wildlife Lady Elliot is famous for showing up in the one hour trip. The Manta’s were the first of the excitement passing perhaps only fifty metres from the Lighthouse keyway feeding on the masses of plankton that were collecting around the bommies. In the distance a whale was breaching and providing the noisy songs all of our snorkelers could hear under the water. Turtles too numerous to count were hanging out at second reef providing everybody with special moments and snorkelers were also able to see the majestic manta under water. It was an epic morning in the water.
The guided reef came across the cutest possible clownfish. It was less than half a centimeter long and still had the juvenile black colours rather than orange but was a perfect miniature of the adult. It appeared to be dancing in the water ducking back into the smallest patch of anemones. Guests watched in fascination and awe for over five minutes and tried to get a photo of this tiny cryptic creature as it cheekily dodged around the coral.
At whispers in the evening guests watched some footage a guest had taken from the dives on the big television in the bar. It showed a spectacular decent into the blowhole that was teaming with fusiliers and other tiny glass fish and had a giant hawksbill turtle hiding amongst the shadows. When everybody had used up their air they snorkeled among the manta’s on the surface while waiting for the dive boat and the footage that was taken here was jaw dropping. Manta’s were loop the looping, swooping right under guests and displayed all other manners of behaviour. One of the very interesting observations were the Manta’s cephalic lobes that were contorting to be curled up while the manta was cruising to being in an o shape while feeding. It was hypnotic vision and everybody really appreciated it. On the way back around the island the boat was lucky to have some humpback whales surface very close by. Again the video was incredible and those that were there re-lived the exciting event.
It was absolute perfection here at Lady Elliot Island and it seems tomorrow will be the same.
If you have ever thought of coming to see the great barrier reef there is no better time of year, it is guaranteed to blow your mind!. We look forward to seeing you out here! |
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humpbacks- A Jones
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