Blog Log Aug 27, 2006

Here at last is the much awaited Blog Log from Aug 27! Let this be an add on to Ivy's last post with great pictures and commentary. My pictures aren't as well crafted, but I hope it gives you a view of what our reefs are like!

For starters, we have the iconic Icon Seastar of Pulau Hantu. An echinoderm that can be found throughout the region, this little animal is a relatively common encounter in Hantu's reefs. Due to its unusual and attractive patterns and colours, this animal is known to be collected as a curio, possibly one of the reasons that has led to be listed as a 'Threatened Species'.

It's always good to see the possibilities of animals successfully reproducing. We can't be sure if the populations of animals in our local reefs are sustainable, but we sure hope so, or at least hope to learn more about how they are coping in a challenging environment of relentless development and human traffic. Here's a ribbon of nudibranch eggs.

Apart from the damage caused by divers and boaters, irresponsible fishermen can also impact our reefs. A shallow reef abound with corals isn't a good place to cast a fishing line. This is one of 2 fishing lines observed during today's dive; is obvious the line was overweighted. If you're unfamilar with your fishing environment, it's best you ask someone or try to do some research first.

This is another fishing line that was caught up in the reef. This one still had its hook attached. An unattended or stray fishing line can cause alot of damage to both corals and animals, if they get accidentally snagged with no one at the end of the line to assist the situation.

Moving away from the reality check.. Isn't this gorgeous! It's always thrilling to come across huge and healthy coral colonies, such as this colony of Echinopora.

The largest coral on the reef: While most corals comprise of colonies, the Mushroom Coral is one, single polyp! That makes it the largest coral on our reef! The last time we had someone do a count, Hantu's reef has at least 13 species of Mushroom Coral.. I didn't even know there were that many!

A young Turbinaria coral. I may be wrong but it seems to be showing signs of bleaching.

A tiger-stripped Crinoid flitters carelessly in the current, sifting out plankton with its feathery tentacles.

This is interesting: A Magnificent Anemone has kept all its tentacles, leaving only its "lips" exposed. That funnel-like appendage is actually this animals' mouth. You can often find crabs and anemone fish residing within this anemone.

After the dive, I bought cookies for everyone and marvelled at Chay Hoons (front) enthusiasim at logging her dive... That's Reef Xplore! Guide Hui Bin giving us the victory-sign at the back there.

Look at her AMAZING log book! Such adorable and beautiful sketches of our local sea animals!

Here's a closer look! I wish I had such talent!

We also managed to shoot a video of these frisky Brownback travellies. They actually are common around our reefs but tend to play around the surface of the water or along the reef flat and crest. Divers tend to miss them because they are more focussed on discovering macro life on the reef slope! Sometimes it pays to look up at the surface. These curious fish hung around the divers for about 20 mins, and the encounter only ended because we had to surface! Sorry the video isn't fantastic! It's difficult to get a good shot of them when they come charging at you and execute such acute manoeuvres!