A Really Eventful Day = Part 1

After yesterdays quiet (stormy) day, today was a much more rewarding and exciting day. 

Paul passed his Open Water Diving Exam = Hooraay

He was studying alongside Ruby, and Ruby is going to complete her training next week.

Ruby and Paul preparing for entry under Simon's Instruction

Our first dive at 730am included a buoyancy test with a difference.  This test was to make sure that when we do photography underwater that we take absolute care not to break/touch coral of sea life.

Polly showing us all how to do it!

And then Steph (after much verbal worrying) did a perfect copy

Then off we toodled (scuba style) to hone our skills for underwater photography.

We saw a lot of fish, including parrot fish, trigger fish, rock beauty,
french angel fish, crabs, eels - but not many of them would stay stationary enough for a properly set up photo. 

So here are some photos of sponges;

Sponges photographed on Sand Bomb Reef

I'ld like to introduce you to Libby, one of the best divers I have ever come across, diving for about 18 months with the heart of a 20 yr old, actually 10 years older than me.  Amazing lady. 

Our Amazing Libby - the best creature spotter I know

 

Blowing a Hooollie

Dear Scottish friends, apologies if I have spelt this description of our storm wrongly.  

Hooollie as a word totally sums up the fact that a heavy storm rolled in at 4am, like a wall blast bought in on a northerly wind,  and from that moment there was no hope of diving in the day.  It's 25 degrees and the staff are wandering about with about 5 layers of clothing on and complaining that it's freezing. *snort*

The Hooollie from one end of the Island

The Hooollie from the other end of the Island

So instead of diving - 

We learned about lion fish control measures, the measures other communities are taking, "Lionfish Derby's" and then Libby, Steph and I had an intensive class of shutter speeds, aperture and ISO - and understanding the balance needed between all 3 to take a good photo. 

We played with all the settings on our cameras and tried to produce as many badly produced photos as possible so that we understood all the setting implications on the manual setting.

My test subject felt somehow fitting.... not bad for a macro and manually set up.

I have to say I really like the software that Polly uses to manage her photos. 
It's really informative. Only problem is I'ld have to buy a MAC laptop<<<<  Muuuuuum?

We also had quizzes, fish ID sessions and a chance to have some serious hammock time with a book. 

When the wind had died down later in the evening, some of us played volley ball. (not me)

Dive 3 - Training in Species ID and how to spot them for real

Both Tracy and Simon have been training our group on how to spot and ID different fish by their predominant characteristics.  

Surprisingly we learned that colour is not a characteristic to ID a species of fish, as many fish change their colour for camouflage and by time of day to suit changing and latent environmental conditions. 

Simon showed us a video of the migration if Lion  fish along the coast of the USA into the carribbean, and up the North East Coast.  

Our group now know how to identify the;

Discs and Ovals (AngelFish, Butterflyfishes, and Surgeonfishes)

Sloping heads and tapered bodies (Grunts and Snappers)

Heavy bodies. / Large Lips (specifically the Groupers)

Swim with Pectoral Fins (Parrotfishes)

We were then sent out to dive and find some really great examples. 

Oh yes!

And do we have photos?! 

So when I can I will post some of the photos.  

We also learned how to ID some small reef creatures Specific mollusks, Echinoderms, and Banded coral shrimp.

A Flamingo Tongue ( it was loaded up the right way round)

Another Flamingo Tongue (also loaded the right way round)

Sid the Spiny Lobster ( I think)

For all this work and studying our prize on this dive was to see a sting ray and a spiny lobster. 

All in all a great days diving and learning.

Of Surveys, and a reef named No-Mans Land

 Before I Start - important message for mum.  

There is so much fish and coral life here I have run out of camera battery in less than 2 dives. 

Muuuum (plaintive cry of lesser spotted juvenile Hazell) - can I have another camera battery for Christmas?  Please? 

Today started with a conch survey.  We found and measured 8 of them. I found out too today that Conchs are not stationary.  They move!  One actually jumped when our Instructor went to lift it.  We measured the main spike to front length, the total underside length (the pink bit of the shell) and using callipers the thickness of the "lip" in the middle. 

I was chief holder of the pencil and wrote down all the measurements on the team slate underwater.  Having surveyed a good selection, we then had a good 20 minutes of diving for pleasure. 

Our second dive of the day included a photographic view of Jacks reef. It started with a pod of dolphins, that "roomie steph" was able to photograph whilst we were in transit to the site

The dolphins who met us on our dive

Dolphin Picture taken by my Roomie Steph

The dolphins revisited us during the dive and clicked and whistled at us.

I was finally let loose with my camera. 

Unfortunately after this and the third dive the battery in my camera died... :-(

Some might say that was a good thing. But not before I was able to take some pictures. 

Hog Fish

Great Barrel Sponge

Banded Coral Shrimp

As soon as I can get to a location where I can upload more photos I'll get you to meet Polly, who is patiently training us (Steph, Libby, and I) in photography.

Polly our Photographic Trainer. 

 

 

 

 (Yes I know the photo is upside down (the version I upload is the right way up).  Bizarre huh?)

If you want to see how underwater photography should really be done.  Check out Polly's photographs from the same day at ReefCI's website on this link

Polly & Reef CI Photos

As to the Lion Fish we saw that day.  Thanks to Tracy our Instructor (pictured below) and Abigail - 32 Lion fish were no longer able to procreate at 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 eggs per year. 

 

Tracy our Instructor and 32 Lion fish

 

These Lion fish were then eaten for our evening meal as a sushi dish,  Ceviche.  Delicious and Appropriate. 

Look where I am staying! - Tom Owen’s Caye

It has to be said that this place  is amazing.

I arrived with our group to a small paradise island, complete with its’ own grey water recycling and generator that only runs for a small amount of time.

My early morning view showed a sea that was very still. 

This was before our Pre-dive briefing.  So the sun had only just risen.

The room with all the clothes drying outside is mine and I am sharing it with Stephanie who currently hails from New York

The island is Bijoux and they have even provided us with a sports  complex - although I havent played yet.

Reef CI and the Really Important work they do...

Our troup of divers has arrived.  We have already completed our first dive, met the team and had our introductory presentation to the very valuable work completed by this NGO organisation.

The Reef CI team and the work they do is all explained on their website which can be found here

http://reefci.com

Paul, Jake, Tracy and Simon in transit to Tom Owens Caye

Today we have learned about the protection in place around the Belize Marine Reserve, and the protection afforded critical species such as the manitees, whale sharks, Tarpun and others,  We have also watched a time tracked count of lion fish across the reefs of the carribbean and up the North Eastern American Coast. 

This is all traced back to a single release off fish off the coast of fllorida.  The lion fish are now taking over the reefs, and the indigenous species are suffering immensely as the lion fish take over. 

Between you and me I ate lion fish last night.  It was fantastic.  A combination of delicate fish and a sublime flavour.  I recommend it.

Pictures and more to follow.

A Short Note On the Weekends B & B

Just look at this place.  Mandy and Dave Victory, what do you think?.  This is a B & B with a difference and I have to say it's a long time since I have stayed anywhere quite so magical and calming.

This is the ideal de-stress location, at which  to wind down from work before going off on a diving trip.  My room is spotless, the views are outstanding, and the quiet welcome simply a touch of class. If you ever fancy staying here - The details of this establishment can be found here. 

The Coral House Inn

And before you ask - Yes I would absolutely stay here again. 

Laugh! - The Birds certainly did.

I have now officially "kayaked" for the first time.  This was both a great experience and a fabulous location to learn.  George was our guide through the mangrove swamps up a creek. 

Kayaking was great fun. If you look really hard you can just see my toes in the bottom of the picture in my “L-Plated canoe”

Paul and Abigail were so very adept and put me to shame.

 

George our guide had the “gofast” canoe.  The rest of us “splished and sploshed” our way behind him so that we were wearing more of the creek, instead of gliding over it serenely like he did.

George was a fountain of all knowledge on local birds and could quote the number of the page in a well thumbed book straight to the picture and description  

 

 And we made new friends too.  Izzy the Iguana before she ends up as Sunday lunch known locally as Bamboo Chicken.

Good Morning PG and it's Sunday

Well good morning from PG.  Before you run for the monkey tea, it's what the locals call Punta Gorda.  

And this is the view this morning from the pool deck. 

So this being Belize and all, the monkeys, affectionately known as the "howlers", woke me to the sunrise - better than a cockerel. :-)

Last nights tea was spent in Asha's bar. A little seafood eatery Rastafarian style, perched on a deck over the sea. 

The menu was on the wall and in true rasta style "prepared and served with love" 

I have to say the prawn curry, served with rice 'n' beans, and salad.  Washed down with a bottle of Guinness, followed by a cup of tea - was just delicious. 

So I'm off on a jungle tour now - in a kayak.  Embarressingly I have forgotten my waterproof coat.  In my defence I was expecting to mostly be under water! 

Until later :-)

The final leg to South Belize

Anyway - the last leg of my trip to Punto Gorda was beautiful.  The last leg of my trip was completed on a 12 seater plane. 

 The pilot had been flying in Belize for over 30 yrs. The views were stunning. 

Yes that small dark road going no where was the landing strip. 

My room for the weekend is amazing. And the views of the sea and cemetery are slightly ethereal. 

And as for the dead people - who cares? The calm and the quiet after 2 days of travelling is good for the soul! (Sorry - couldn't resist) 

So - I'm off for a rum and coke! Catch up tomorrow?