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Monday - White-capped noddies sunbake on the paths
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date: 20/10/2008
Author:Laura Smith
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Lovely! | Air Temperature: 26.5°C | Wind: SE 15/20 knots | Water Temp: 24°C | Water Visibility: ~10m | Sea State: Calm
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
A guided bird watching tour was first up for the morning. As soon as we left the education center, we came upon an adult buff-banded rail being closely followed by its chick. This adorable chick is estimated at no more than a couple of weeks old, and is oh-so cute! The bird life on the island at the moment is just amazing, with so many species and such diversity to be seen. White-capped noddies sunbake on the paths and chatter in the trees, bridled terns tap nervously from foot to foot on the ground, frigate birds glide above the island, eastern reef egrets forage daintily on the reef flat… the list goes on, and certainly keeps the keen bird-ers on the island well entertained!!
The glass bottom/snorkel boat tours today enjoyed the most fabulous conditions, with the sea as calm as one could wish and the sun shining down on happy snorkellers. A humpback whale breaching on the distant horizon sent up an enormous splash and a symphony of “oohs” and “aahs” from thrilled onlookers.
SCUBA divers encountered mating turtles, gigantic moray eels, and brilliant nudibranchs amongst a fantastic multitude of reef fish on their dive. A pair of seasoned divers from the U.K. said that the diving they experienced here on Lady Elliot Island matched the best dive sites they had seen previously, including the Red Sea, Vanuatu and the Caribbean!
A gourmet antipasto platter ordered from the restaurant, a glass of bubbly and a cosy sun-lounge with an ocean view is the perfect combination that many guests choose to wind down for the day. And tonight’s sunset to accompany was simply stunning!
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Noddies Fishing - Wayne Fox
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