What a great snorkeling morning I had today. While swimming through a sunlit channel in the coral reef I came upon a squid. It was about a foot and a half long with big black eyes and multicolored lines running down its translucent body. When I swam over to take its picture it darted off (the coolest fish always seem to do that, while the drab ones just float there begging you to waste your film on them) so I chased it around for a bit. Soon I was circling it, or it was circling me… it was hard to tell. When I stopped, it stopped, and we just floated there looking at each other. I took several photos as it posed in all the classic squid poses; first stretched straight, then sort of hunched up ready to dart off again, then all flared out like you’d expect to see in the centerfold of Squid Magazine. Thinking I had a pretty good variety of squid photos I stopped taking pictures, but it kept on posing… looking at me with that big black eye. Then more posing, and again with the eye. I had to explain to it that I was almost out of film, and needed to save the last few exposures just in case something fantastic swam up. The squid was insulted. It was awkward, but we just floated there together for a few minutes watching the other fish.
Then a beautiful black fish with glowing neon blue dots and a bright yellow tail swam by, so I bid the squid adieu, and followed fishius fantasticus out into the open water. Remember what I said about the coolest fish? I may have a blurred picture of a yellow tail to show you later, but you’re probably gonna have to trust me on the neon blue dots. Later after snorkeling around the reef for awhile I decided it was time to return to shore, but before going back in I returned to the spot where I left the squid. It was still there, and this time it didn’t dart off. We hung out for as bit, communicating as best we could “eye to eye” and then I pointed the camera at it, and took my last photo. It seemed pleased, and so was I as I swam back to shore… hoping that some of the photos turn out.
When we went snorkling in Cozumel and Belize, I was amazed at the varied and bright colors of the many different kinds tropical fish.
ReplyDeleteMost of the fish are much larger versions of the ones we see in domestic fish tanks. They have a chance to grow in the ocean as they live their lives naturally.
What a great series, Randy. I wish I were there.
ReplyDeleteI think you two would love it here!
ReplyDelete...and Newt we really could have used you during the rainstorm. These islanders don't know the first think about caulking!!