July 16

Our morning dive, #7 of this trip, was at the Tori's Reef site, south of the Salt Pier, that is one of the intakes into the salt works evaporation pond. We arrive early (8:30 am) before people usually arrive. It turned out to be a very pleasant dive. We hoped to see either Eagle Rays or Sting Rays - but alas - not today. Above left: two Goatfish - you can see their "whiskers" which are chemosensory barbels that they use to detect and root out food in the sand. Right: French Angelfish.

The fish on top in both photos is a Trumpetfish while the other iis a Spanish Hogfish. Trumpetfish often try to conform their bodies to the top of a fish they shadow and also assume the color so as to hide. The other fish might then appear bigger to potential predators which could be good or bad for the shadowed fish.

Our afternoon dive was at the Yellow Submarine site north of Kralendijk. This turned out to be a wonderful dive. We saw a lot, more than what's shown here, and the lighting from the late afternoon Sun and the relatively good visibility were great. As on previous dives this week, the current in the channel (with the nearby small island of Klein Bonaire, was a little brisk and moving north. Above left: a Barracuda - perhaps about 1 meter (or 3 ft) long. Above right: a Porgyfish.

Above left: a Burrfish resting on a coral. Right: A purple Sea Anemone

Above left: a Trunkfish and Right: a Queen Angelfish