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Monday - green tree frogs were discovered
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date: 13/10/2008
Author:Jess Howard
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Overcast, turned to sunny warm and clear blue sky | Air Temp: 26.4ºC | Wind: South Easterly/Easterly 15/20 knots | Water Temp: ~23-24ºC | Water Visibility: 15-20 metres | Sea State: Calm and gentle
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
Last night’s nightstalk encouraged many guests to step into their walking shoes and venture around the island. No need for torches though, the almost full moon gave enough light to see clearly. Three little green tree frogs were discovered hiding out in a drain, waiting for the few drops of rain that will keep their little bodies nice and green.
This morning the island was buzzing with new guests.
It was a “RAVE” this morning for divers who drifted from Lighthouse Bommie to Maori Wrasse Bommie, finding along the way, Manta Rays, Bullrays, Whiptail rays, Eagle rays and Cowtail rays. Diver Adam was also lucky enough to find an intact Paper Nautilus shell, barely broken, but no longer containing the animal inside. What a find!
It was family time for the Red Tailed Tropic Birds this morning where all chicks were accompanied by their parents. Guests were treated to the gorgeous sight of the oldest chick, Sebastian being fed by his parents. The Common Noddies and White-Capped Noddies were all busily building nests this morning, while the Bridled Terns danced around one another in displays of affection. Asked to demonstrate the Bridles Terns, birdwatchers were joined in fun by dancing around eachother and nuzzling, just like the birds do. Never a quiet moment on Lady Elliot! Tiny Silver-Eyes were sighted this morning just outside the education centre, also collecting bits of twigs and leaves for their little nests.
Glassbottom boat travellers were lucky to sight turtles showing mating behaviour where three huge males were fighting over one female. She must have felt lucky! Lots of Silver Drummer, blue-green Chromis and juvinelle green turtles were also delights of the glassbottom boat.
Reefwalkers this afternoon were thrilled to find a pincushion seastar sitting on top of a large branching coral, maybe having a nibble on some. A tiger cowrie was found, greedily consuming bits of algae, along with lots of Blue Linckia seastars, a nocturnal sea cucumber, Holothuria hilla, and a sea urchin “test”, the name given to a skeleton of a deceased sea urchin. A full pool of fish enticed guests to view their hungry habits as mullet, Sergeant Majors and Trigger fish nibbled away at fish pellets.
This afternoon’s dive involved a drift from Spider’s Ledge to Three Pyramids, with many turtle sightings! AWESOME!
Snorkellers headed out for a late afternoon sunset snorkel in the lagoon, all geared up for new discoveries and encounters with Lagoon Rays, turtles and many juvenile fish! What an awesome ending to a fantastic picturesque day.
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Red Tail Tropic Birds - Jess Howard
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