The winds are strong here in the winter, limiting outer reef access. Heavy seas wash fresh, cold water over the barrier reefs and clear up the water in the protected lagoons in which we anchor, washing away the last remnants of rainy season silt and algae.
We must now be more creative to find protected reefs for swimming, yet have been rewarded with a diversity of creatures to observe. Here are some friends in our lovely aquarium...
Reef tunicate & rough fileclam
Arrow crab
Flamingo tongue
Unknown (?!) "hanging bells"
Slipper lobster
Juvenile reticulate moray eel
Pygmy filefish are extremely small (<1") and elusive as they hang out in gorgonians. Once spotted, it is often hard to find them again until your eyes re-adjust.
This spotted eagle ray swam past in a close approach accompanied by no less than three remoras. No wonder they jump out of the water to rid themselves of these hangers-on! Any large fish ~ like this two foot trunkfish ~ might come with a remora on the underside. These parasites have been known to attach themselves to boats or even a snorkeler on occasion.
Our most recent coup was a seahorse sighting! Lizz's eyes were smiling brightly in her mask when she spotted this longsnout seahorse hanging out next to a closed basketstar. He was shy and moved away from us after we snapped our first few pictures. And I quote: "my San Blas experience is complete!"
