After our stopovers at Magnetic Island and Townsville we decided to sail on to the Palm Islands and enjoy a few days around Hazard Bay on Orpheus Island before venturing out to the reef. Yes, another reef window was approaching!
The sunsets in Horseshoe Bay on Maggie never disappoint. After a brief trip to Townsville where the Captain had his skin checked (as he does every time we visit … and yay, NO concerns this year), we dropped by Maggie again before heading further north. We always enjoy the local prawns from the visiting prawn trawler.
We spent quite a few days in Hazard Bay a few seasons ago, sheltering from strong winds but also sharing it with friends aboard, so it has become a favourite stopover. Two beaches for a swim, lovely peaceful kayaks through the mangroves and a whale visit!! It did not disappoint.
I heard a noise while having breakfast. It was a mother Humpback and calf, ever so close to The Bossa. Wow!
Close enough for The Captain to feel their spout!
No tail slapping or breaching, just a very calm interlude between mother and calf. They lingered nearby for some time and even when they moved away, they stayed in our bay all morning.
The Humpback’s tail (fluke) sticking vertically out of the water. She continued to do this intermittently for long lengths of time. It seems this may be because she wants to cool down by exposing the tail to the cool air, or, she is resting floating vertically upside down which is apparently comfortable, or, more likely she is feeding her calf. This position allows the calf to feed easily while the mother rests.
Then it was off to the reef. Walker Reef was close by and Britomart Reef is a short hop further north. We enjoyed five days on our own in crystal clear turquoise water in shallow white sandy anchorages. No glass outs this time and a few bumpy nights at high tide, but come low tide, perfect!
We have visited Walker Reef several times, however I hadn’t found the coral cover or fish life anything exceptional, however, this time I was pleasantly surprised. The coral cover was promising with expanses of new and healthy growth. Sometimes it’s just about where you jump in as reefs are expansive, however, I felt there was much improvement in the general health of the reef I explored.
And just a reminder … if you touch/click on each photo you will get a larger view.
I always love a Magnificent Sea Anemone and I found three at Walker! Two hosting Pink Anemonefish, the third hosting a Clownfish. The thrill though, was that all three were closed. There are less flowing tentacles but the fish still stay close. The Sea Anemone’s round and smooth outer layer had closed. They look a bit like a donut!
Why do they close? It can be because they are protecting themselves from temperature changes or currents, or they’ve been touched or disturbed, or it’s simply part of their natural rest or feeding cycle. It can also be they’ve been exposed to too much light. It was low tide around midday and all three were reasonably close to the surface, so with all three being closed this may be the answer.
This Sea Anemone was attached to the side structure of a bommie, orange/brown in colour and hosting a family of Pink Anemonefish and the shallowest out of the three.
Here’s a few more shots …
I actually returned the following day to this Sea Anemone (took me forever to find it!) to try out my new strobe lighting set up. Thought it would be an opportunity to compare my photos of the same subject. There’s always a lighting difference with different times of day and of course while I’d read as much as I could about setting it all up, this is way out of my league at the moment. More practice is needed! Also, the Sea Anemone had completely opened up which meant a completely different photograph.
Here’s three photographs I took with the strobe … and me looking like I know what I am doing! 🙂
RH Photo … You can see how different the Sea Anemone looks when open as compared to closed (see previous photo above).
lucky shot …
“Let’s dance!” Two Pink Anemonefish with the same dance moves. A happy snap!
The second Sea Anemone I found was deeper, similar colour, also closed, but the jackpot, it was hosting a Clownfish.
The third Sea Anemone was a striking pale pink, almost white, with purple-tipped tentacles and it was hosting a Pink Anemonefish family. Stunning.
We moved on to Britomart Reef for the next three nights. Walker is quite exposed so after a bumpy night (only during high tide) making for a grumpy Captain, we thought Britomart would be a better anchorage being in a channel.
We woke to a gorgeous calm day at Britomart. The water colour was amazing, especially from the drone.
I took these photographs at Britomart and I think they capture the colours of the reef perfectly.
Here’s a slideshow of other photographs I took at both Walker and Britomart Reefs. The red sea fans were a favourite.
We had a wonderful five days at the reef but with wind approaching it was time to leave. We sailed over to Cape Richards on Hinchinbrook Island with the intention of entering 7th Creek the next morning at high tide. Yes, more strong wind! And rain in the forecast.
It’s a great place to hide in here.
Oh my goodness those prawns look amazing!!! Lovely photos Amanda. I love the blue Christmas trees and the girls will be so happy to hear you’ve once again found Nemo.
I was very happy to see this Sea Anemone was hosting a Nemo. They are not so common.
Beautiful Amanda. I so love the pink anemones. Well done on finding it at Walker and the red Gorgonian too!
We were at a walker Reef last with you Anui & my recollections of the coral state weren’t encouraging. I was pleasantly surprised snorkelling the bommies east of the sand cay. Very chuffed to find not one, but three closed Sea Anemones & the red Gorgonian Sea Fans. I miss our snorkels together!
Absolutely stunning photos Amanda. Thanks for sharing your love affair with anemones. They really are special 💚
Thankyou Bruce! They are. It’s a stunning world down under.
You keep raising the bar with your underwater capturing, I hope you frame some of these photos they are stunning 👌
Yes time to refresh some of my framed photos. I do compile a photo book at the end of each season. I include my posts as well as photos. There will be a collection at the nursing home … “remember when … “
That nursing home will have the best photos ever!
Great read Amanda and your photos are stunning. Maybe some more reef time coming up now in the next forecast. Looks like you found the prawn trawlers again too👏
Hope so Reeflection! Can never be too much reef time.
Pretty amazing that you could balance the mirror…and the camera , whilst holding your breath, to capture the dancing clown fish! Very impressive dexterity.
The clarity of the photos challenges the understanding that the subjects are infact underwater.
However, it is the subject choice, careful composition and attraction to colour and texture that demonstrates your photography skills so completely. You capture the micro so well….true artistry 👏 💙
Thankyou for that review Lyn! Always helps being out at the reef … clear water & interesting subjects. And usually a touch of luck with where I jump in, how deep the subject is & how long I can hold my breath. There’s always lots of misses!