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Sunday - a shovelnose ray, slowly cruising by
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date: 14/9/2008
Author:Jess Howard
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Sunny, warm, slightly breezy | Air Temp: 25ºC | Wind: North Easterly 10-15 knots | Water Temp: 21ºC | Water Visibility: 30+ metres | Sea State: Crystal clear and calm
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
Last night, the water sports department held a night dive for keen guests and staff. Upon descending down into the water, they were greeted by a shovelnose ray, slowly cruising by. Shovelnose rays are often mistaken for sharks because of the form of their elongated body, they look like sharks, however they have more characteristics representative of rays than sharks. Other creatures found by divers included a Porcupine Ray which has a mucus covering to stick sand to itself to remain camouflaged, many cardinal fish hiding within the spines of sea urchins for protection and several transparent hydroids floating in the water column. Meanwhile, in the lagoon bar, other guests were showing their skills in coconut bowling, balloon relays and limbo, in our Saturday night Aloha party, a back bending fun time to be enjoyed by both guests and staff.
Divers this morning, venturing underwater at the Lighthouse Bommies and Severance Wreck, found a juvenile Leopard shark, basking motionlessly on the sandy floor, and Manta Rays cruising gently through the water. Glassbottom boat explorers relaxed with Manta Rays on the surface and discovered huge masses of Big Eye Trevally, one of the species of fish that school as adults. Only 25% of all fish species are actually able to perfect this task.
Reefwalkers this afternoon were delighted with a remarkable sight in the shallow waters of the lagoon. In water less than one metre, about the size of a large platter, a green turtle sat on the bottom, not bothered by the slight interruption of people wading through the water. After a few minutes of letting reefwalkers view him, he turned on his tail, perfected a butterfly stroke and swam away, no doubt to wait for the high tide to head back out to the ocean again. What an AWESOME discovery!!
We know the weather is getting warmer, not even the tropic bird chicks want to sit beneath Mum’s wing anymore. Babies Zulu and Sebastian sat on the outside of their parents today, perhaps trying to cool down in the slight breeze. Bridled Terns were spotted building nests together this morning, while the White Capped Noddies were choosing nest sites, where the female will choose the site and send the male off to collect nesting material. The dive this afternoon followed a similar pattern of travelling as this morning, from Severance Wreck to the Lighthouse, but reports of Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, massive turtles, Rodney the Angler fish and a “huge” Grouper had the divers all brimming with excitement.
A fun, exciting and interesting day was enjoyed by all, in this little slice of heaven.
Special Events / Activities:
Guests were invited this afternoon to join our managers Wayne and Jenni in a champagne sunset. Watching the sun sink down into the ocean while sitting on the beach at the Coral Gardens, being served nibbles and a glass of champagne with strawberries …. has to be an extraordinary way to end a perfect day.
Special Guests:
Welcome back to Mr. John and Mrs. Eileen White, returning for their twelfth visit to Lady Elliot!
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Bridle Tern - Wayne Fox
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