BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING INSIDE AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
It's also important to swim at different times not in large groups to comply with Covid 19 advice from the government.
It's a rainy old Monday and I'm working tomorrow so will only have time for a couple of photos of Tuesday's swim. It seems a good opportunity to use one of Greg Cole's excellent drone photos to do a very sloppy map showing where we see certain fish. Most of my fish knowledge was passed on from Jane Stevenson who volunteered in the fish dept of Australian Museum and used to swim with us, and by talking to marine biologists like Penny Berents. The photos are all my own taken over the last 8 years. Please add comments from your own observations at bottom of blog!
As we swim out from the Surf Club, just before 1 on the photo-map, we often see Sand Whiting in the shallows.
As we get to the green Sea Grass we see schools of Luderick (with the stripes) and Blackfish.
The Cobblerfish aka Catfish is a weird looking creature and can sometimes be seen around here too.
This is a Blind Shark that is often spotted around the rocks as you get towards the point.
The flash of colour as we see the bright red and orange fins of a Crimson Banded Wrasse is always beautiful!
In the Summer months we can often see Dusky Whalers around the point and sometimes going closer to the rocks. We seem to see more every other year. Last year we didn't see so many. If my theory is correct hopefully we'll see more this year.
Some of you may have spotted this guy who lives in a rocky crevasse around number 3 on the map.
We do see Leatherjackets around this area too. The Fanbellied Leatherjacket above is my favourite!
There has been a Giant Cuttlefish around this area lately. When they start to go white around the edges like this one it means they're on the way out. Remember they only live to around 2 years!
A little further around the rocks we start to see schools of Mados and Pomfred. Four years ago there was a Hawksbill Turtle who made his home here for a couple of months!
When the water drops to around 17 degrees in Winter the Port Jackson sharks appear. Here is one with Diamondfish.
As we get to the rocks near the shed marked 6 on the map we often get the best sightings. The marine life is more visible here as they swim over the rocks. Wobbegong often hide between rocks but can often be seen swimming.
I was lucky to see this beautiful Cuttlefish here a couple of years back in really clear water surrounded by Mados and Pomfred.
A school of Old Wives also can be seen in this area.
Anna diving down to them!
The Sergeant Baker can often be seen perched on a rock...
Schools of Diamondfish often hang between 2 rock ledges.
We often see huge schools of Yellowtail in this area too!
Eagle Rays can be seen swimming all over the bay and at all times of the year
Our beautiful Blue Gropers can also be seen all over the bay but Gary the biggest is usually found near The Bower surf break marked 11 on the map!
We've had quite a few Turtle sightings over the past year and they often seem to live in the rocks around area 7 on the map quite near the pool.
This is a close shot of the fever of Cow Nose Rays that do seem to visit us every so often. Some swimmers saw them Saturday morning and they seem to usually swim in a large circle between numbers 6 and 10 marked on the map.
Although Cuttlefish have been spotted all around the bay we've often found them by 'Attracta's Rock' close to Shelly between numbers 9 and 12 on map!
We've also had some amazing sightings close in to Shelly Beach. This is Silky the lone dolphin with Mauricio back in 2013.
I was lucky enough to come face to face with this Porcupinefish swimming back from Shelly too!
The motorbike and octopus garden are around the number 10 on the map. Sorry no photos of them.
We also see Fiddler Rays, Smooth Rays, Mullet, Hulafish, Goatfish, Maori Wrasse and if we're lucky a Grey Nurse but I haven't time to include them!
Hope my little lesson hasn't been too boring but people do often ask where certain species can be found!
Today's Swim! 17.2, refreshing, great from halfway or Shelly, murky, raining but still worth it!
Simon Phin sent me this last week for inclusion in the blog. I think 6.30am swimmers will know what he's talking about!
Indeed, today was that day - A Day That Will Live In Infamy.
It was the day that the one who travels the furthest, crosses lands of raging bushfires and flooding plains, was able to raise that finger in Victory.
It was the day of The Driver. …and what a convincing victory it was. First to the beach, first to the shower, first to get dressed. Can we just say; The Driver =1, Squirrel =0.
But there is a bigger story here, folks.
The man who overcame physical constraints when up against the lean, the gorgeous the ‘one-off’ male model, to snatch victory upon the shoreline. The Driver, who gives every challenger the chance, who holds back from the gallop to allow the young, the brave that they are, to have every opportunity of victory. It is ‘The Driver’ who knows no challenge and no challenger in abled to be challenged. For The Driver remains humbled in victory.
…and what do we now say? (see below).
All we can now say is…. The Driver =2, KarlBoy =0.
Have a great day!
Lainey
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