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Tuesday - Manta Rays, Shovelnose rays, Leopard sharks and Whiptail rays
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date: 16/9/2008
Author:Jess Howard
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Clear, warm and sunny, scattered clouds | Air Temp: 25ºC | Wind: North/North Easterly 10-15 knots |
Water Temp: 21ºC | Water Visibility: ~30m | Sea State: A gorgeous calm, clear and perfect day !
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
The morning dive at Hiro’s Cave on the eastern side of the island held plenty in store for early risers. Manta Rays and a young Leopard shark greeted the divers upon their descent. Also seen were bright colourful Parrotfish and a handful of turtles. Interested historians jetted off this morning for a walk to the western side of the island to learn about Lady Elliot’s remarkable history. A stop at the cemeteries and a view of the lighthouse heralded many thoughts on the events that make Lady Elliot the extraordinary place it is today.
Glassbottom boat goers were fascinated today by the behavior of the Manta Rays and turtles. At Second Reef there were three Manta Rays on the current line eating some plankton and relaxing. An abundance of turtles had guests beside themselves with excitement, where one turtle swam over the top of a Manta Ray and turned himself upside down in the water. What an awesome display of harmony within nature. A great day for pictures!! Reports of both adult and juvenile green turtles swimming along the current line, termed “turtle mania” made the glassbottom boat trip today memorable!! The island discoverers were excited to get a glimpse of young Sebastian who is now approximately three weeks old. Constantly growing and getting cuter by the day, it is a delight to see him by himself, out from under Mum, Cerise’s protective wing. Reefwalkers this afternoon found many exciting creatures including an elegant black-tailed sea hare that propelled its body through the water towards guests so they could view him more easily, lively clams that were all too eager to spit water at viewers and a striking red pencil slate sea urchin hiding in the shallows near the water’s edge. Fish feeding invited our wonderful fishy friends to come along and be fed in the fish pool, where squeals of delight rang out as slippery fish swam around young ankles and feet.
Out at Maori Wrasse Bommies this afternoon, it was “a very batty day” as diver Mark described it with tonnes of batfish surrounding divers. Also seen were Manta Rays, Shovelnose rays, Leopard sharks and Whiptail rays. Kym in the dive shop believes he is “going batty” with all the excitement out in the water today! Visibility was perfect nearing 35 metres, where Eagle rays swam in formation around the excited divers.
Ending this spectacular day as the sun slowly descends back into the water, Lady Elliot Island is simply the place to be!
Special Events / Activities:
Today we say farewell to Bryn Doerkson, one of our maintenance boys. Bryn has been loving life on the island for three months but time has come to continue traveling. Good luck and safe travels Bryn!
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rays - Shay Young
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