This morning we woke up ready for another day in tropical paradise. Due to heavy winds, we decided to postpone our snorkel and instead donned gloves and gathered trash from the mangroves. We also spent some time exploring the tide pools around the dock, and now have a tank filled with sea critters and fish in the wet laboratory.
While we got to witness the trade winds blowing at full force this morning, by noon they blew all the clouds out of the sky before dying down. It made for the perfect sunny afternoon, and after lunch the beach was littered with Colby students playing volleyball and soaking up the sun. At 2:30, we suited up for our snorkel at Tobacco Cut Reef. The small boats we took out cut over the crystal blue water, and the bumpy ride was wet and refreshing in the heat. On our way, we stopped at a Frigate Bird Rookery. The Frigate Bird is known for both its abilities at catching fish that other birds may drop while in the air and the bulbous red air sack that the males display under their necks during mating season. At the rookery, we also spotted Brown Boobies, Pelicans, and a Peregrine Falcon flying above and resting on the red and black mangrove trees. The swarms of birds over the island was a sight to see, and it is interesting to think that there are five of these rookery islands in Belize, where birds are the sole inhabitants.
Hundreds of Frigate birds are circling this island trying to find a mate.
Tobacco Cut Reef is the largest reef we have been to as of yet, and this was exemplified by the number of new species we spotted. Almost immediately after entering the water, we spotted a large Moray Eel curled up under a rock. Flounders fluttered over the white sand along with small Yellow Rays, while a five foot Spotted Eagle Ray soared through the water. Barracudas snapped their jaws, and Trumpet Fish disguised themselves in columns of swaying corals. On our way back to the boat, a large octopus was found hiding under a large green coral. It stayed surprisingly still as students dove down to get a better glimpse at its large head and curling tentacles.
This little guy appears to have picked up a hitch hiker! A small yellow Remora is attached to its underside to collect extra food that its friend doesn’t eat.
Can you find the camouflaged creature in the picture?
Hint: He is Ariel’s (the Little Mermaid’s) best friend.
This evening we went down on the dock to look for sea life that tends to come out at night. We were also hopeful to see bioluminescence. We found some small silver and blue fish and several Needle Fish milling about the water. Although we didn’t find any of the sea horses or octopi that we have seen hanging around the docks, we did catch some shrimp to add to our tank and stargazed. Even though our findings were not bountiful we enjoyed each other’s company on the dock. We look forward to another wonderful three days on the island, and although we are looking forward to seeing friends and family, are wishing that our time in Belize could be just a little longer.