Great Barrier Reef pics! Updated with clam pics!

Delphinus · #1 09-25-2007, 10:32 PM

Great pics. Brings back memories. I went there in '90 and '01. Far too long ago. I'm hoping to go back maybe in 2009, with baby #2 on the way I can't really go before then. Would love to see more pictures when you get the chance.

Unfortunately my trip predates me having a digital camera so all the pictures I have are on paper (how quaint!).

Got any pictures of clams?

GreenSpottedPuffer · #2 09-25-2007, 11:24 PM

These guys would close if you got anywhere close, so none are really open in the pics. Clams were considered pests over there to the locals. They seemed to hate them for the most part...Our guide REALLY hated them. After the dive he came over to me and was like "what the hell are you taking pictures of those buggas for??? You come down for beauty didnt ya?"...It was quite funny.

Here we go:

GreenSpottedPuffer · #3 09-25-2007, 11:27 PM

That last one was ENORMOUS!!!

And my favorites...

Loved the ones with sps growing all over them!

Another thing this trip did was change my idea of a "perfect reef". When I set up another reef someday, I would really love to have it look as natural as possible. Not trying to put peoples reef "down" because they are beautiful but they look so unnatural after seeing the real thing! Ours look way too planned and algae free! I loved seeing all the corals growing on each other and competing for space, ect.

Delphinus · #4 09-25-2007, 11:44 PM

You know, I encountered a little bit of the same thing when I was down there, the guides didn't really know jack poop about some of the things they were showing off. Yeah, the boat did have a marine biologist who lectured while the boat was underway and she knew her stuff but getting the guides to show you stuff ... I dunno, I just sort of expected them to know more. It's bad when you find yourself wanting to correct them! "Here is the clownfish family, the dad and the mum, and the babies." "Well actually .. that's a female and her male, and the smaller ones are more like males-in-waiting".

I'm shocked they would sort of poo-poo the clams. That's just .. that's just wrong man!!!

I found that the inside reefs, close to places like Low Isles for example, did have a "dirtier" look to them. Silt, algea, etc. However the outer reef was more pristine, at least I found.

And I agree, nothing like seeing a real reef to inspire you to "do better" with aquascaping

Chin_Lee · #5 09-25-2007, 11:48 PM

Love them pics. MORE MORE MORE

ed99 · #6 09-26-2007, 12:03 AM

Great shots. Did you use an external flash or were you able to get those pics with the built-in one?

Ed

GreenSpottedPuffer · #7 09-26-2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed99

Great shots. Did you use an external flash or were you able to get those pics with the built-in one?

Ed

I used just the built in one. It did not work for a bunch of pics though because of it!

untamed · #8 09-26-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

....
Another thing this trip did was change my idea of a "perfect reef". When I set up another reef someday, I would really love to have it look as natural as possible. Not trying to put peoples reef "down" because they are beautiful but they look so unnatural after seeing the real thing! Ours look way too planned and algae free! I loved seeing all the corals growing on each other and competing for space, ect.

That probably explains why my tanks tend to be quite different looking that the standard that others shoot for. I'm a diver/photographer also!

Jason McK · #9 09-26-2007, 12:20 AM

WOW great shots MOREMORE

J

GreenSpottedPuffer · #10 09-26-2007, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamed

That probably explains why my tanks tend to be quite different looking that the standard that others shoot for. I'm a diver/photographer also!

Yeah I can totally relate now! I want my new tank to be a bit more "natural" even though its only a FOWLR.

I hope people do not think I sound snobby though...I was not at all trying to put down anyones reefs! They are gorgeous. I think what amazed me was ALL the growth and variety! It would be hard to mimic it in a closed system for sure but I think could be done.

Thing is, you would have to shy away from the kind of pre-conceived idea of what a beautiful reef aquarium is. I think we get used to seeing the same looking "reef of the month" or "tank of the month" and then try to recreate that in our own tanks. Again, nothing wrong with that but I never saw anything close to a sps ONLY area of the reef for example. I found that there was lots of macro algae mixed in everywhere and softies anywhere they could survive. It really is incredible!

I will post more soon.