Hi Guys. The swim might have stopped but us bloggers have been asked to keep blogging. As many of you know it's around this time of year we see this magnificent creature of the deep and this blog is all about the Giant Cuttlefish. It might even be something to show the kids if they're home from school. I'd love to read their information reports too. Infact maybe parents could get their kids to write about their favourite sea creature and send it in and the best can be published on the blog! I hope everyone is keeping their spirits up during these crazy times. Miss you all.
We are incredibly lucky to swim in this beautiful bay with such 'monsters of the deep' as the Giant Cuttlefish! Do you know they have green/blue blood and 3 hearts?? How weird is that?! And they are the largest of the world's 100 or so species of Cuttlefish. They can change colour and texture in split seconds. Small males also have a very sneaky way of mating...Find out below!
If you happen to come across them in shallow water and get quite close they are just stunning. I've been taking photos of them in Cabbage Tree Bay for 8 years now, since I started blogging and get very excited when I see one, as their displays are incredible to watch.
Using cells known as chromatours they can change colour in an instant and by raising parts of their skin they can change shape and texture to imitate rock, sand or seaweed.
They have 2 tentacles for feeding and if they are male 8 arms and if they are female 6. They have W shaped eyelids so they can see in front of them and behind at the same time!
Alyson with one a couple of years ago, trying to trick us to thinking he was seaweed!
This beauty, has taken on a rock-like appearance on one side and seaweed colour on the other! They really are the 'chameleons of the sea'! Their spectacular displays are used for camouflage, mating or even hypnotising prey.
They belong to the family of cephalopods, the same as octopus and squid and are the most intelligent of all invertebrates! They can grow to about 1 metre long and weigh up to 10 kgs!
If you swim fast, 'wide' and away from the rocks and haven't see one, this might be why. Look how this Cuttlefish has changed colour and texture to imitate the sand as he speeds over it!
Now he's starting to look a bit more like the rocks!
As he approaches the weed he's changed again!
I took the above 4 photos in August 2013 and I'm sure they are of the same little fella' in many disguises!
Now the scene above is of their bizarre mating ritual. It involves a sneaky small male who pretends to be female. (The one on the right). Too small to fight for a female, a small male sidles up to a mating couple and pushes in 2 arms (remember females only have 6) to pretend to be female. The larger male thinks he's lucky to be getting two females but the small male moves in and mates with the female under the males tentacles!!
Click on the fantastic David Attenborough clip below to see a video of this sly way to get the ladies!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Australian_Giant_Cuttlefish#p005bpsl
And if you want to find out more about these weird captivating creatures another video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0NslgnSEtE
Couldn't resist 2 more photos. Aren't they just the weirdest and most alien-like creatures ever?!!! (Apart from Lips and Shauny of course ;-) )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDwOi7HpHtQ
Message from Julie Isbill below but I think Management now are asking people not to swim with pink caps and just on own or with one other, keeping at correct distance.
BOLD & BEAUTIFUL AND CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Bold and Beautiful acknowledges the spread of Corona virus is continuing to worsen
Public health advice is changing continuously and beaches around NSW are being closed for the safety of all
Many of us are hearing conflicting advice, and likely have our own conflicting opinions. We are hearing pleas to both ’stop the swim’ and ‘keep the swim going’. It is likely that public health advice and council enforcements will soon prevent people from attending a beach at all
For those people who feel that swimming is currently not a safe option, please do not swim
For those people who feel that swimming is currently an essential part of their day for overall health and fitness, including their mental health at these very difficult times, it is paramount you respect and follow government, council and public health advice
Bold & Beautiful is aware that as an informal group of friends that come together at our own risk to swim together for health, fun, fitness and friendship, even if we sent out a message ‘closing the swim’, the majority of swimmers who are turning up, would still currently choose to turn up and swim together themselves while the beach remains open
Bold & Beautiful can’t stress strongly enough that every person has the responsibility to assess all risks for themselves, consider their actions on others, follow government and public health advice and act in the best interest of the wider population. As such we urge you all to please:
- Avoid gatherings of large groups of people
- Continue to practice social distancing - 1.5metres between anyone at all times, this includes: arriving to, swimming, congregating at Shelly Beach and apres swim
- If you choose to turn up to swim at Manly Beach at 6.30, 7am etc..., appreciate this is likely to be a popular time, and as such it is paramount you follow government advice, and consider your friends and the wider community. As such, please:
- spread out up the walkway, access the beach from varying areas, the ramp, stairs etc… ensure 1.5m distance from fellow swimmers, including as you enter the water and swim
- Ensure the walkway has enough open space at all times for other users to enjoy and practice social distancing
Consider changing at your cars, other areas of the beach, avoiding changing rooms and leaving belongings clumped together in large groups
- Spread out at Shelly Beach, move up onto the beach allowing other swimmers space to swim to shore and spread out, ensuring the 1.5metre distance between everyone at all times
- Practice safe swimming and social distancing any time you choose to swim, avoiding collisions in the water
- Swim to Shelly Beach along the rock wall side of the ocean and back to Manly on the ocean side of the ocean
- Disperse as quickly as possible after you swim
- Consider all ocean risks as at any other times
- Be mindful of other users of public areas at all times
Please note there will be no Bold & Beautiful ceremony on Anzac Day this year
Remember swimming with Bold & Beautiful is like family to so many people. Treat fellow swimmers with the love and respect you would treat a family member
For more information on restrictions and updates from the Chief Medical Officer visit https://preview.nsw.gov.au/novel-coronavirus-covid-19
Lainey Loo
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