March Photos

Here are some of the photos I took in March:

March Slideshow

And a video of a Smooth Trunkfish scavenging the seafloor for food:

Smooth Trunkfish
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htrLQ-TAS_c)

Elusive Whales

The whales are nearby. Yesterday there were two sightings; one by me from land, and one by the students from the boats. So this morning several of us got up for a pre-breakfast excursion to look for them (and go for a dive). As it turns out, whales like to sleep in. We didn't see any. They seem to like the south side of South Caicos, though. It was from the bluffs at Shark Bay that I saw them yesterday, right next to the place where I saw them breaching Tuesday. Pepe suspects that these ones aren't just passing through, but are spending some time here. I hope that is true.

Yesterday from Shark Bay.
It looked like 3 whales (1 adult, 1 juvenile, and 1 sub-adult).

Waving Hello

Shark Bay from the Bluffs

I was disappointed about not seeing them this morning partly because seeing them from land just isn't the same as seeing them from the water, but mostly because Jessee was along and she hasn't gotten to see them yet at all. It's not fair sometimes that she doesn't get to enjoy as many of the perks of being in a place like this. Even when the other staff are really busy, part of their job requires that they go in the water. When Jessee's busy she can go weeks without being able to get out there. Tomorrow's Sunday, though, and hopefully it will be nice and sunny (there's has been a serious lack of sun on SUNdays lately) and we'll be able to spend lots of time out there looking for them.

From the dive: a funny looking Smooth Trunkfish, looking it's funniest.

(Another!) Juvenile Smooth Trunkfish

I spotted my 3rd juvenile Smooth Trunkfish the other day! Unfortunately, Jessee missed it again! This one was quite deep - around 90 feet. And this time, I had a camera!



And here's a slideshow of photos taken over the last week:

Dives and Snorkels from 15-22 Sept 2009
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmatulis/sets/72157622434171526/show/)

Filling Tanks

With all the diving that goes on down here, filling tanks is always a job that needs doing. Recently I had the SFS Dive Safety Officer train me in how to use the compressor so that I can help fill them too. That's what I spent a few hours doing this afternoon.

Filling Tanks

Filled Tanks

There's not much involved, really - just switching out tanks when they've filled and purging condensation that builds up in compressor. I figure (as a diver) its a good skill to know, and besides I need to earn my keep around here. In between switching tanks I was also working on some of the final edits for my article. I should have another draft complete soon, and hopefully the review process will go quickly.

Being Studious

This evening I went out on a dive and emptied one of those newly filled tanks. And, believe it or not, I saw another juvenile Smooth Trunkfish! I'm starting to wonder if they have a breeding season and now just happens to be when juveniles are abundant. I hope so. Jessee gets back tomorrow (granted she is able to make the connection in Provo), and she'll be thrilled if we can go find one.

Juvenile Smooth Trunkfish

This evening I saw something that made Jessee extremely envious: a juvenile Smooth Trunkfish. It's a tiny black and yellow-spotted fish about the size and shape of a pea! It's about the cutest dang thing that's ever been in the ocean. I had to call Jessee as soon as I could to tell her.

Juvenile Smooth Trunkfish

I made her guess what I'd seen. The conversation went something like this:

B: Guess what I saw!!
J: Oh my god, a Tiger Shark?!
B: Nope. Smaller.
J: Okay good. Give me a hint.
B: It's something you've always wanted to see.
J: A Kangaroo?
B: No. I don't think they swim.
J: Okay, give me another hint.
B: It's vastly smaller than a Tiger Shark - you could say, pea-sized.
J: You didn't! Awwww! I'm so jealous!
B: I did!
J: Awwww! ...uh, I have to go. I'm in a restaurant and I'm making a scene.

The juvenile Smooth Trunkfish barely have fins. They just sort of float around. We were able to scoot it out of its little hole and cup it in our hands for a close look. Its little mouth sticks out with little puckered fish lips. Smooth Trunkfish, odd-looking things themselves, are relatively common, but the juveniles are much less so and quite difficult to find, being that they are so small and probably spend most of their time hiding.

Adult Smooth Trunkfish

Video of Smooth Trunkfish