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Sunday - Flotsam Fossickers braved the high tide
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date: 19/10/2008
Author:Jess Howard
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Overcast, warm | Air Temp: 25.5ºC | Wind: South Easterly 15/20 knots | Water Temp: 23ºC | Water Visibility: ~15-20 metres | Sea State: Slight
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
Last night’s Green Zone Party was enjoyed by both young and not so young, where all participated in coconut bowls, balloon relays and limbo.
This morning an interesting trip to the northern end of the runway found a female Green turtle resting just above the water level on the beach. Affectionately dubbed “Penny”, she posed for photos, before turning around and heading back into the water.
Glassbottom boaters found lots of turtles whilst snorkeling, some even trailed snorkelers, curious as to what they may be doing. Flotsam Fossickers braved the high tide and the breeze this morning to take a trip along the beach and discover some washed up treasures along the way. In our stash we found lots of shells, a sand crab, and even a washed up old backpack that must have been “REALLY OLD”! Beach combers even had time to pose for a quick snap after collecting bits and pieces from the beach!
The Tropic birds were arming themselves against the wind, with their heads back between their wings and their eyes closed. Guests on the island discovery tour were delighted to be able to witness a pair swapping over the guarding of the chick, where one adult “crashed in” and the other zoomed out.
Fish feeding as usual gathered an enormous crowd of both fish and guests, as the water lapped at our shins, the fish nibbled at ankles, grabbing all the bits of food. An afternoon radio call found many people heading out to see Manta Rays at the Lighthouse, where they were feeding on the surface and cruising around the reef, easily seen from the shore as their wing tips cut the waters surface. Divers in the morning encountered an enormous Bull Ray at Hiro’s Cave, and in the afternoon a drift from Lighthouse to Severance found Manta Rays, Silvertip sharks and masses of schooling fish. An “almost tragic” event NEARLY occurred to our resident joker …… while holing the dive boat steady … Dive Instructor Kym exclaimed that a Tassellated Wobbegong nearly “bit me leg off it did”!!! Not quite, it just cruised by and gave Kym a bit of a fright! These beautiful sharks are bottom dwelling sharks feeding on small animals that live on the bottom.
Special Events / Activities:
Congratulations to Neville and Pamela Semmler, who are celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary here on Lady Elliot today. Also Congratulations to Michael Sanderson and Kirsty Douglas who were married yesterday, and are celebrating their honeymoon.
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Flotsam Fossick - Jess Howard
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