Reef Fish Adventures

 

Iguana that is glad we are boating for the day!  Monday is snorkeling most of the day, with dinner back at Umaya. 

Dr. Noel Lehner chilling before we go snorkeling. 

Luke Walker checking out the nets for relaxing over water. 

Off to Caribbean snorkeling on the second largest reef system in the world!

Lunch at South Water Caye. 

South Water Caye

Now, for a few underwater pics from snorkeling. 

More coming from the GoPro, later. 

Feather Duster Polychaete

Grey Angel Fish

French Grunt

 Blue Tang

Reef Ray

Nurse Shark

Dr. Katie Kleber enjoying the ride back to the mainland, along with Dr. Francie Coblentz, below. 

Searching the Caribbean for Whale Sharks and Garifuna Drumming

While some got settled into Umaya at Placencia, Noel Lehner, with Scott and Kim Jones went out to seek whale sharks.  It is not the right moon for them, but we were told that we could get lucky.  We went offshore about 28 miles looking by boat, then getting in the water and snorkeling.  No luck on the whale shark sighting.  I will let Dr. Lehner tell you her story about snorkeling.  Be sure to ask her!  We did get to see a remora swimming around us.  While boating, we saw some bonito or false albacore busting the water, with frigates joining in on the frenzy.  After snorkeling in search of whale sharks did not pan out, we went to some of the beautiful Belize coral reefs out there.  The corals looked very healthy and the colorful reef fish were plentiful.

  

Remora checking us out.

Magnificent brain coral, at least 6 feet tall.

Local fisherman cleaning fish

We snorkeled nearby to see the rays and nurse sharks.

More GoPro video to come of the beautiful coral reef!

Garifuna Drumming School

"Home base"

Dr. Katie Kleber here! We moved to our next-to-last hotel and then we separated for the day. Mixed feelings about this, as it means we are more than halfway through our trip. 

Most of us stayed around our new home base for the day.  A few went in search of whale sharks. Beach/swimming or waiting for the crocodiles and tarpons was the entertainment for those staying at home base. Neither of which were seen before lunch. Lunch was planned in advance with some selections. Very different from the past meals, not "traditional" Belizean fare. Very good, none the less! 

We have arrived at The Beach. Beautiful beach and pool. Perfect for a "down day". We have been having so much fun and working hard learning new things. 

 

The lagoon side with some mangroves and needle fish! (Dr Kleber was excited)

 

In the quiet shade. Looking towards what appears to be a storm, it bypassed us! I hope it also bypassed the other group

There are some absolutely beautiful flowers here!

We are totally enjoying the down time. 

I have no idea if these were washed up or placed, cool no matter what. 

Beautiful view from a shaded cabana on the ocean-side. The water is very warm and there are even some seagrass beds! Great homes for young fish and invertebrates (Dr. Kleber has videos if you want to see!). Also a lot of macro-algae (seaweed). Maybe tomorrow there will be more pictures from underwater and *in* the seaweed beds, she didn't want to risk the phone without the waterproof thing. 

Did we say we are totally enjoying the down time?

Belize Chocolate Festival

Punta Gorda is host to the Chocolate Festival of Belize and we were lucky enough to catch it!

Here are some highlights. 

We were fortunate to get front row seats to a cultural dance in honor of cacao farming. It was very reverent and the young folks did a great job. It will be a special memory for all of us. 

Local children mesmerized watching!

Rangers and Mayans

The day began with a Joyful Inn hearty breakfast at 7am. Then we were off to be “rangers for a day” at the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve. We hiked through steamy Belizean jungle, with a guide, Rosendo, and documented any mammals and birds seen. A highlight was seeing the track of a large jaguar on the trail. Another highlight was learning how palm thatch roofs are made. Rosendo explained that building a roof was generally a community effort and a thatch roof will last 6-7 years. He cut a huge palm leaf with a machete and had students split the palm in half. He then showed how the fronds could be turned correctly to channel water off a roof. Other creatures were observed along the way, such as a tree frog and leaf cutter ants. The plant life was simply stunning!

Joyful Inn

Learning about the Preserve and 

How to be a Ranger for a Day

Rosendo, our Guide

Large Jaguar Track

Learning How Palm Leaves are Harvested for Thatch Roofs

Leaf Cutter Ants

Group Ranger Survey Results

Nim Li Punto, meaning “Big Hat”, is the Mayan archeological site that we visited after a lunch at the Preserve. We were all spellbound by Herbie’s storytelling of Mayan culture and the search for more about their history. 

Nim Li Punto Mayan Ruins

Herbie explaining Mayan History 

Tomb Discovery 

Scott Jones keeping an eye on us all.