Snorkeling can be remarkably peaceful. It is like a moving meditation. Relax. Take deep, steady breaths. Float with the gentle current. Alternate your awareness between the greater surroundings and specific details. Watch the play of light transform the mini-landscapes. Wonder at the complex little gardens formed by the different corals.
A few more pictures…
Anticipation….
Roatan is studded with unfinished projects. People have ideas and start things, but then run out of money or time or interest. In this case, an underwater sign leading to… no more arrows and no more signs…
In the shallows on a quest… to find a peacock flounder. When they settle into the sand, they are nearly invisible.
Wandering through coral gardens…
Some of the usual suspects…
Parrotfish are accustomed to snorkelers. And to some degree, they actually create the island. With their strong jaws and teeth, the parrotfish bite off chunks of coral and grind it up. They poop out coral sand. Idiot Daughter 2 recently visited the Maldives and the island she stayed on was literally created out of parrofish poop! Ditto for much ot the lovely beaches of Roatan.
Spanish Hogfish and Bluehead Wrasse…
Drifting over more coral gardens, a Grey Angelfish examines the human intruder…
Far below, a massive 3 foot Parrotfish has turned almost black, with just a few blue markings – an ancient patriarch or matriarch that chased away any other fish in its vicinity…
More of the usual suspects… Foureye Butterflyfish, Stoplight Parrotfish, and Yellow Goatfish…
Delightful little creatures with an interesting name – Christmas Tree Worms. About 2/3 of the worm is in a tube extending down into the coral. The external parts look vaguely like spruce trees and they come in a wide range of bright colors. They are also entertaining – when spooked by a gesture or gentle touch, they suck themselves down into their tubes in a fraction of a second.
With its “branches” swaying gently in the currents, the sea anemone looks like an ornamental little plant. It is, in fact, a predatory animal. Sea anemones secrete neurotoxins to paralyze prey so the tendrils can pull the food down to the mouth and digestive system that makes up the inside of the “trunk.”
Some reef fish are extremely colorful… and some seem to use camouflage…
More coral gardens…
Coral reef fish can be frustrating to photograph. Most of them are highly active. They never pose! And with the wind and current, the water adds constant motion as well. Sometimes the photographer has to settle for blurry movement just to get a shot of a favorite fish.
Blurry shots of the Three-spot Damselfish, the Yellowtail Damselfish, the Beaugregory Damselfish, a Blue Chromis, and a Longspine Squirrelfish.
One last look at three favorites – a Parrotfish, a Queen Angelfish, and a Blue Tang – aka Surgeonfish.
Heading toward shore, the purple fan corals seem to wave goodbye… until next time!
