:ange: Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Kja! How do you get so close to mum and bub? Were you diving and they happened to swim past? Was mum singing at all? I've heard they are quite loud up close when they are calling out.. For some reason whales scare me at the thought of being near them in the water - seeing them do flips and the thought of one of them jumping me crushing me is terrifying! As silly as that sounds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 At the closest they were only a few meters away. We were snorkeling so were on the surface. We knew they were there and hoped they'd come past - got lucky, they don't always! The mums don't sing, it's the males that sing and yes, there was quite a bit of whalesong while we were on the dive prior to this experience. Sound carries very well underwater so it sounds loud but the whale might be miles and miles away. It's great to hear, but after an hour of it you really just want them to be quiet LOL How spoiled is that?! Yes, they can be a bit snarky with boats and people in the water. Mums and males looking to mate, especially. But Jr was happy as a clam and it's a good indicator of the mom's attitude - not that there's anything you can do it they decide to get frisky!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Got out for a dive today. Saw some neat stuff. Had a good time. Quick nudi peeking up and sayin' hello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Awwww so pretty, what exactly is a nudi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) Sorry, nudibranch. They are kind of like snails without shells = slugs Nudibranchs differ from true sea slugs by their rhinophores (the two little sticky up bits at the front) and their gills (the frillier looking bit in the back (out of the plane of focus here, leaning to the left of frame)). Nudibranch means "naked lung" - their gills (lungs) are on the outside. Here's one of the same species where you can see both bits - sorry for the reject photo, I couldn't get my camera down any further thanks to a very badly placed rock. I know, more than you wanted to know but I adore them Edited October 29, 2011 by kja Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 No No, great explanation and I think that second photo is fantastic as well, I love your pics especially your underwater stuff, just amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flux Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Brilliant photos! Seeing nudibranch(i?)('s?) swim is really cool too. This is a good example I don't know the video/owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 flux - yup, cool! FYI that is a flatworm, still a slug but not a nudibranch - no gills ;) We get tons of those guys and they are so pretty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 thanks for letting us see the underwater beasties ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Crazy turtle mating yesterday! There were 100s of turtles in the shallows and snorkeling with them was amazing! I attracted the unwanted attention of a couple of males who couldn't get a handle on a stack of three turtles who were already mating and I was having to defend my honor pretty aggressively at one stage LOL Naughty beasties! Two quickies up on the blog - more later this week and maybe a video if I get time, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCresties Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I'd imagine trying to fend off a randy male turtle is no joke Awesome sight Do you get any extra predators with this many pre-occupied turtles around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 @crazy - nah, doesn't seem to increase predators. The baby humpbacks, on the other hand... Sea fan from Sunday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Another close turtle encounter Wednesday LOL Put a photo up in another thread here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 Loving this good weather. Too bad the swell and wind are picking up this week! But I guess if I can't go out I can get some time in on editing all the images I've already taken LOL Batfish Lobo helping me set up before a dive Tell me if you're over this whole thread and I'll stop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 (edited) You are not allowed to stop! ;) great photos Edited November 5, 2011 by Cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripley Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Love your photos. I really want to go diving now, except one problem is I only like diving in warm water and can't afford a tropical holiday atm. Love that Gregorian fan one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted November 6, 2011 Author Share Posted November 6, 2011 Thanks, Cat ;) @Ripley - thanks! You're missing out, there's some great diving near you, just get a dry suit :D I love gorgonian fans - so colourful and pretty...need to spend more time taking photos of them when the viz is great. Check out my sharkie friend from today's dive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Wow that shark, aren't you scared being that close, I'd be petrified! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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