This morning we walked to Bight Park and snorkelled aaround the reef balls and patches. The reef balls are placed here to develop a new reef. After a slow start, we were treated to some undersea delights. I spotted a large baracuda hovering near a school of fish. Ian took a close look while I held back. He said I missed the little fish cleaning the baracuda's teeth. Oh, well. A small turtle swam by so we followed it for a bit and watched it as it rose to the surface. The water in this area is fairly shallow so I was able to have a good look at it without diving down. I just love the way the turtles move through the water -- so graceful. Of course we should have had the camera as the visibility was excellent and we were so close to everything (porcupine fish, a pair of scrawled filefish, a juvenile and adult gray angel. Then I spotted a long black line in the sand and two lumps further up. Ah, a sting ray!! Ian tried to disturb it but it wouldn't budge. Must be nap time. We stayed in the area checking out the other fish and coral and before long the ray was on the move folowed by some pesky yellow-tailed snappers. A ray is also a graceful creature as it "flies" through the water. After a while the ray landed and proceeded to bury itself in the sand. A small turlte came into view and we followed it in and around the reef balls. Tired, I headed back to shore but never stopped looking. In the shallow grass I caught a glint of blue. Looking closer I spotted a creature, long and brownish with blue dashes and spots. It had both a long tail and long mouth. Ian was incredibly excited. Later at "home" we looked the fish up, a blue-spotted coronet fish. A rare sighting.In the afternoon we trekked back to Smith's Reef. Highlights: ocean trigger fish, big cow fish, three scrawled file fish, porcupine fish, a couple of turtles and a sting ray. We swam out to a further reef but it was disappointing. Overall a satisfying outing.
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Scrawled File Fish |
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