This is fast becoming my favourite beach to hang out at. And you can see why - there's not a soul! In fact very few people visit this beach up in Boddentown, and I like it. Not only is it quiet, there's PLENTY of coconut trees to provide you with ample shade, and this is the rock formation creates a perfect large spot to snorkel, if you're a beginner. This is Beach Bay - and I love it.
Why is it that every time I go out snorkeling, it inadvertently turns cloudy. Is someone trying to tell me something? No matter. Here are some shots I managed to get during my first snorkel at Smith's Cove. I can't believe it took me THIS long to snorkel at this spot. I will definitely be going back there next weekend, hoping for a cloudless sky! Oh, did I mention that there was a mega size cloud that kept chasing the sun and it seemed to concentrate on the Smith Cove area? Someone is definitely trying to tell me something. If I can just figure out what it is...
OCEAN SURGEON FISH & A STOP LIGHT PARROT FISH
STOP LIGHT PARROT FISH, SPOT FIN BUTTERFLY FISH, A SLIPPERY DICK
A YELLOWTAIL BLUE DAMSELFISH
I have never seen one with these spots before!
This is what happens when you throw a chunk of bread into the ocean.
Word spreads and big ones the length of your arm, begin to surround you, hoping you'll throw out more chunks.
But you're all out.
And then you start to panic.
This would be a good time to make your exit.
Which is EXACTLY what I did!
Am I being a tad dramatic? Maybe? I just don't like being circled by more than one big fish, especially when I'm snorkeling all by myself.
I am so pleased to share with you a first time find for me.
Taken (by me) over a month ago at Cemetary Beach in West bay - a juvenile FRENCH ANGELFISH. Gorgeous, innit? They look quite different all grown up. Since they're also cleaner fish, they tend to take on 'clients'.
These fish are also monogamous. Ha! Who knew!
I must have watched Finding Nemo at least 50 times. Don't be shocked. It was a long time ago and yes, even though I was that much older, what can I say, it was a very well done animated film. And when you think of Nemo, you inevitably think of his home and recall how difficult it was for him to pronounce it - anemenemone!
Which is why it thrilled me to no end to spot this during our snorkel at Kaibo a few weeks ago. This Sea Anemone was in relatively shallow water almost too easy to miss amidst a seabed of seaweed and other underwater greenery. But spot I did and in proper and usual fashion pictures were taken. Can we say Anemone?
And what is a Sea Anemone? Believe it or not, it's also a predatory animal, with it's tips that sting and temporarily stun prey as they are attracted to its pretty colours. Clown fish like Nemo, make their home in the Sea Anemone as they are immune to the stings emanating from the Anemone.
I've also attached a video, because that swaying is so mesmerising, I did not want you to miss out on it.
If I stay at work late enough I have the delightful company of one of my co-worker's daughter (aged four), who comes in at the end of the day for 15 minutes or so. She'll make a straight bee line for my desk, just because she knows that's where she has to go if she wants her own personal visual tour of the underwater creatures. 'I wanna see fish', was her statement today. She had previously seen my videos & pictures on Stingrays and all she could say as she stared open mouthed at the screen was WOW. I then realised that I hadn't updated the blog with any fish pics per se, and had to delve into my personal album to show her some Starfish pictures. Yes that's right, I said Starfish. We went all the way up to Kaibo a few Sundays ago and were able to spot quite a few Starfish. Hubby was sorely tempted to take one home with us and even asked if we were. I have to admit I was too, but I said it would be too cruel. That was before I found out that Starfish cause much damage to coral reefs. Perhaps next time...except I was told that it reeks as it dries.
For some Starfish may not be a big deal, but to me it is! STARFISH! How often do you get to pick up Starfish off an ocean floor? As you can see these are of a decent size. Check out that underside, whereupon you can feel a slight suction motion if you were to place your palm flat against the underside. And just to show you how big a deal this is, one of my high school friends who now lives in Aussie had this to say: You just run into starfish just like that!....*sigh*...here we gotta go to Sea World to get a glimpse of the buggars :)
I've posted about the Barracuda before, while in Bermuda, but I had none of my snorkel visuals to back it up. Not this time! Here's a lone ranger, venturing out into our neck of the ocean, until my friend chased him away. Well in his defence, he was trying to motion it closer to us. I actually didn't mind that the barracuda swam away as fast as it did, as I only wanted him around long enough for a photo op, which I got. I guess just one barracuda is not so much of a problem, it's the many than encirle you, that makes it one. While it wasn't the clearest of days, I did manage to get a clearer video. Could it have swam away any faster???
Hubby & I went snorkelling today at Cemetary Beach. While snorkelling I was surrounded by fish that are clearly used to people hovering over them. I'm not sure if they were looking for food which I once again forgot to bring with me to the beach. Of course I snapped away with my underwater camera, which I am loving more everyday. As I was going through today's pictures, I came across this GEM of a one, which I HAD to share. Check this out! HOW CUTE IS THIS? It's like they already know me and are so happy to see me again.
While the Stingrays were moving in and around us at the sandbar in Stingray City, I also spotted a CowFish, with my snorkel gear. Oh, a good tip: Take your snorkel mask with you while at Stingray City to get an awesome underwater vantage of how these ray glide. You'll never know what else you'll spot lurking closeby, like this Cowfish. I still had to some chasing to get a closer shot. But here it is. A Cayman Cowfish. This time it was in much closer proximity that when I spotted my first one in Bermuda and while the Cayman shot is underwater, the Bermuda shot is above water, and taken with a camera that's not waterproof. So, which is the prettier one? I like them both, but then again I am biased.
CAYMAN:
OR BERMUDA:
For the longest time I have wanted to spot this on my own, and have been so envious when other fellow islanders have told me they spotted it on any given day. Well, wouldn't you know it, I did spot it but had no clue as to WHAT it was. First of all I barely saw it, so well camaflauged it was in the seaweed. When I did spot it lurking, it along with its friend seemed very wary of my presence, that I didn't dare approach it any further. I hung back and took shots and videos of it as best I could. I had to show hubby what it was and he recognised it in a flash. So, what is it? Care to take a guess. Anyone?
CLICK ON THE COMMENTS TO VIEW THE ANSWER!
We found an awesome spot to snorkel on the island on Saturday and I went nuts with the camera. Needless to say I am so very pleased with the way these shots came out. It was fabulous seeing miniature versions of the larger fish we are used to seeing. Baby fish are so adorable and these ones were NOT shying away. Take a look...
A baby Spanish Hogfish
Here are a few of my favourite close up videos from my snorkel session on Sunday. Gosh these fish sure are pretty and you realise just how much once you see them in action. This is what I love about the underwater world, so very different and pleasing to the eye than the one up above. And there's nothing like seeing it for yourself. Please excuse the pixulated look if that's how the videos look to you. Something about the way blogger processes them makes it look pixulated because the original version I have is absolutely perfect. So, here goes...
This first video features a Multicoloured and a Stoplight Parrotfish along with a few Blue Tangs. That snap crackle and pop sound you hear, is the fish munching down on the coral.
Snorkeling in Cayman is very different than in Bermuda. There aren't as many shallow spots here in Cayman even if the fish are plenty. We went snorkeling today for the first time here in Cayman, with a couple of friends. They lent me their flippers and boy, did that make all the difference in staying afloat in water that was at least 20 feet deep. I got some awesome shots and even spotted a turtle but stupidly did not have my camera with me at that particular time. It was my first turtle sighting too, and this one was a big turtle. Well, there's always next time, especially since Cayman's waters are abundant with turtles. Of the pictures I did take, here are some that came out quite nice. Even though the water was quite deep (by my standards), it was clear and I managed to get some shots of fish that I did not get to in Bermuda. So here goes.
The BLUE TANG. There were so many of these guys and they are so used to people that I was able to get close enough and hover. They did not seem to mind one bit. Juvenille Tangs are bright yellow in colour (of which I saw one in Bermuda), which they tend to lose for the bright blue you see here.
Here are a couple of Blue Tangs with a multicoloured Parrotfish. I am so pleased with the way this shot came out and you can see why. Aren't they just gorgeous?
At one point I felt the current push me towards the rocks that were littered with sea urchins. To brace myself I reached out and ended up touching a wall of Brain Coral. It was a squishy feeling, like how touching brains is supposed to feel...not good. It was then that I noticed this Hermit Crab tucked in this bed of Brain Coral. I snapped away. It didn't like it but I didn't care. And I know they say you're not supposed to touch the coral but this was by total accident. I swear! Anyway, here it is. I've zoomed in while editing, for maximum viewing pleasure.
And finally, these guys were everywhere. You're looking at a couple of Stoplight Parrotfish. At one point I was hovering over four of them. They're obviously quite used to people because believe me, I was really close when I got these shots. I love this one. It looks like this one is smiling and greeting me with a: Hey, where have you been? Long time no see!
My last shot of the evening and it came out quite well, especially considering my proximity. It's awesome, in fact. This one looks scary like it's about to bite me, but really it was just getting ready to munch on some coral. I've written about Parrotfish before and if you'd like to learn more, especially about their sex changes, then please click here. (Bet I've got your attention now!).
I've also got loads of videos. In fact I was so thrilled that I couldn't decide if I should take pictures or videos. Stay tuned for those.
*Note: All pictures have been taken with the Olympus Stylus 850 Underwater Camera. All images are copyrighted.
Cayman is one of the best places to buy a digital camera. The duty free camera store here houses many deals, cheaper than what you'd pay for online, which is exactly the route I went. I have been hankering for a new camera and I was about to buy the Canon Powershot, but then I discovered the Olympus Stylus SW 850, completely shockproof, waterproof & freezer proof. What else can one want?
So, armed with my new camera, I made my way to Tobacco Bay (the best snorkel spot), while in Bermuda last week. The water was quite choppy, but I did manage to capture a few pictures and a couple of videos, which I have to say I am quite pleased about. So, it wasn't a total loss. Here goes...
Let me tell you a little something about this little guy here. You're looking at a Damselfish, but there's nothing damsel like about these guys. They are insanely territorial about their rocks and woe to you if you happen to encroach or even hover over them because they will come at you like a raging bull. When I first started snorkelling, I was a little wary when I'd come upon the Damselfish. Their charging attitude is quite effective and it doesn't matter how small they are either - as small as your thumbnail or as big as your palm. I would also like to direct your attention to the video, I took of the Damselfish. You can see how close it got to the camera, in an effort to scare it away and how many times it continued doing that same thing. You can also see how choppy the water was, I could barely hold the camera still. I am lucky to even get the above shots in such choppy waters. You can also hear me snickering at its antics.
