Bunkmates

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

This photo shows a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) sharing its resting spot with a whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus). As mismatched as this arrangement may seem, I've actually seen it several times and I imagine it must be fairly common. Both species like to shelter under ledges or in lava tubes during the day and, since such places are in short supply, inter-species co-habitation sometimes occurs. This type of shark has small teeth and feeds on small reef fishes and invertebrates so the turtle is not in peril.

These species like to shelter in tight spaces so getting a pleasing photo of both creatures is difficult. Hence, the shark's face being obscured. 

Randomness

Aloha All,

Not much on my mind today so I thought I'd share some random photos that didn't require a lot of commentary or a separate post. Hope you like them!

All Photos Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

Strange Bedfellows

Photo Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

In my last post, I shared photos of a hawksbill turtle that was, presumably, injured by a tiger shark. Today I have something completely different to share with you. In the photo above, a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and a whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) are sheltering together in a small cave in Honaunau Bay. This is not the first time I have witnessed such a pairing, but it is the first time I was able to get close enough to get a photo (albeit grainy and poor quality).
The whitetip shark has very small teeth and poses no serious threat to the turtle. Whitetip reef sharks feed mostly on small fish and crustaceans and are nocturnal. Green sea turtles subsist primarily on seaweed and forage during the day. Consequently, they are bunkmates for only a short time. As you may be able to see, the turtle is quite awake and may be considering swimming around his companion to start her day. The little orange streaks in the photo are tiny juvenile fish hovering close to the camera.

Turtle Portraits

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

I got a new camera recently and am still having trouble getting the "feel" for it. What I'm learning is that it is pretty poor at focusing on anything that happens to be moving! Not a good thing for underwater photography. Anyway, to get some decent photos, I've been going to the turtle beds early in the morning to get some close-ups of the honu while they're still being still. I've gotten a few good results, these being the best.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles

Copyright 2009 by Barry Fackler

There are few, if any, spots along the Kona coastline where  green sea turtles cannot be found. Although considered an endangered species, their numbers have recovered dramatically in Hawaii. Despite their heavy armor, they swim gracefully and, at times, surprisingly fast. The Hawaiian term for this creature is honu and it figures quite prominently in local folklore and tradition. 

SCUBA divers encounter honu frequently and the large reptiles tolerate human presence well as long as divers swim gently and don't crowd them. In the early morning, turtles can be found sleeping under coral ledges or in depressions in the reef. Often they can be seen at cleaning stations where tangs and surgeonfish clean the shells and skin of algae. Like all reptiles, they breathe air and a person watching the waves roll to shore will often see a turtle head rising from the surf for a quick gulp of air.

The combination of large size and usually languid pace make honus wonderful subjects for underwater photography. Even after ten years and hundreds of encounters, I still can't help but take at least a couple of shots when a turtle comes in range, The photo above is my all time favorite. The lighting worked out unusually well with the ambient light above balancing the external flash from the side. the subject is a relatively young individual with almost pure white skin between the plates on her neck and flippers (mature turtles have yellowish-brown skin). She afforded me plenty of photo ops as she glided overhead and seemed to play in Betty's bubbles. It was one of those magical moments underwater when you feel more connected than usual to the world around you.