Great Barrier Reef pics! Updated with clam pics!

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by stinky

Thos epics look pretty good to me! I know where my next vacation isto.

Oh yeah its a good camera...I just didn't want anyone to compare these to the professional pics you see of the GBR!

[Chowder]

Thanks for sharing . Must have been a amazing trip.

[Snappy]

Diving the Great Barrier Reef is a priority on my list of things to do.
Thanks for sharing, those pics are great.

[Phanman]

those are amazing... how much scuba experience do you need to do this sorta thing? Want to try next time I go to mexico but i dont know how to scuba, lol, and snorkling just sounds like a tease.

[Delphinus]

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]

Originally Posted by Phanman

those are amazing... how much scuba experience do you need to do this sorta thing? Want to try next time I go to mexico but i dont know how to scuba, lol, and snorkling just sounds like a tease.

I had not been diving too much before Australia. Just a few times in Mexico actually. I would recommend you learn here in Canada first and then go down.

I will add more pics soon, I have to get them uploaded still. I lost quite a few when my camera was stolen. Most of the pics that were stolen though were of kangaroos and landscape... I had already taken the diving pics off to make space for more.

Im not sure if I got many pics of clams but I will check...

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

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]

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]

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]

Love them pics. MORE MORE MORE