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Thursday - Starry Moray Eel spotted
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date: 30/10/2008
Author:Laura Smith
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Sunny | Air Temp: 26.6°C | Wind: SE/E 10/15 knots | Water Temp: 24°C | Water Visibility: ~ 15 m | Sea State: Small chop
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
“We’ve seen so much already!”
“I know, and we haven’t even been diving yet!”
So said two reef walkers as they concluded their walk in the lagoon.
And what a walk! The astounding diversity of life on the reef flat took everybody’s amazement. So many clams were seen nestled amongst growing coral. The dazzling colours of a pencil slate sea urchin were brilliantly lit up by the sun. Leopard spot sea cucumbers were seen feeding in the sand. Just off the shore, a starry moray eel was spotted by one of the guests. Hugging the edge of a boulder coral, it remained very still for a time, before deciding to make a quick getaway through some coral.
On this morning’s bird watching tour, the appearance of our pair of sooty oyster catchers was a treat. These birds look almost unreal, with the most striking contrast of bright orange legs and eye-rings against the pitch black of their bodies. The red-tailed tropicbirds were of course a highlight. The youngest of this year’s chicks is still under the protective wing of a parent. Even though they are the size of their parents after just a few weeks, it will take them a total of 18 months to adopt the adult plumage. Other species that were seen included the frigate bird, common noddy, white-capped noddy, ruddy turnstone, Pacific golden plover and bridled tern. It is estimated that around 88 species can be seen on Lady Elliot Island throughout the year, so there was plenty left for keen bird-ers to find after the tour as well!
A moray eel caused a stir at fish feeding today. It hung back from the main crowd of darting fish, watching as they gathered in numbers. Then, to everyone’s amazement, the eel lunged repeatedly at the little fish! Lucky for the fish, it was never successful in its feeding attempts, but certainly gave onlookers a thrill!
SCUBA divers reported fantastic diving, with shovelnose rays, a leopard shark and a wobbegong causing great excitement! But today was certainly a demonstration that you don’t need SCUBA gear to be right in amongst the action - a group of three guests snorkeled right beside a pair of mating green sea turtles, while a third male turtle reportedly slammed itself into the pair, trying to dislodge the other male!
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Starry Moray Eel - Laura Smith
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