Day 2 at Sea
As the Endeavour continues on south towards Brazil, the world seems to drift by in swirls of blue and white, whether you are looking at the sea or sky. For most of us, the weather at our homes has started to turn colder, the leaves turning bright colors, and then falling lightly to the ground; some of our houses have already experienced their first sprinkling of snow for the season. Those on Endeavour feel rather smug as the weather is only turning warmer as we travel onward, arriving at the equator tomorrow, and continuing to head into the austral summer.
These days at sea are filled with as much or as little as one would like. If sitting out on deck, the gentle sea breeze cutting the heat just enough, rocking gently with the ocean, is your fancy, then spend all day there. Why even come inside for lunch? Deck lunches are always on the menu. Perhaps you are looking for a game of cards? Head to the lounge, there are always those looking for a game of chance. Our lecturers come inside from their constant vigil to sight animals to give lessons on Marine Mammals, Ocean Currents, and the Slave Trade. Our evenings are graced with classical music concerts, and time spent socializing with fellow shipmates.
Throughout our journey marine mammals and birds have appeared suddenly, and sometimes are gone just as quickly. So far this expedition has brought a wide variety of animals into sight, and the numbers only continue to vary and rise as we come closer to South America. Undersea Specialist Dennis Cornejo, and myself as dive buddy, have tried to capture the variety of life that lies under the water, bringing the images back to the guests of Endeavour to enjoy. In the Cape Verde Islands, one thing they are not lacking underwater are moray eels, spotting five different species on one dive! Pictured here is a Stout Moray. We saw only the head of this fellow, but this species can grow to 7 feet long. Moray eels in general are spread across the temperate and warm seas of the world, ranging in size and color. Morays are notoriously powerful biters, but do not let the grumpy expression fool you, as they rarely attack humans unless provoked. The vicious expression, teeth bared, mouth open for attack, is actually a means to an end, as this is how the moray eel ‘breathes,’ its small gill opening located behind the head.
Who knows what the rest of the trip will discover, but for now we are content to relax and enjoy our transit to South America.
As the Endeavour continues on south towards Brazil, the world seems to drift by in swirls of blue and white, whether you are looking at the sea or sky. For most of us, the weather at our homes has started to turn colder, the leaves turning bright colors, and then falling lightly to the ground; some of our houses have already experienced their first sprinkling of snow for the season. Those on Endeavour feel rather smug as the weather is only turning warmer as we travel onward, arriving at the equator tomorrow, and continuing to head into the austral summer.
These days at sea are filled with as much or as little as one would like. If sitting out on deck, the gentle sea breeze cutting the heat just enough, rocking gently with the ocean, is your fancy, then spend all day there. Why even come inside for lunch? Deck lunches are always on the menu. Perhaps you are looking for a game of cards? Head to the lounge, there are always those looking for a game of chance. Our lecturers come inside from their constant vigil to sight animals to give lessons on Marine Mammals, Ocean Currents, and the Slave Trade. Our evenings are graced with classical music concerts, and time spent socializing with fellow shipmates.
Throughout our journey marine mammals and birds have appeared suddenly, and sometimes are gone just as quickly. So far this expedition has brought a wide variety of animals into sight, and the numbers only continue to vary and rise as we come closer to South America. Undersea Specialist Dennis Cornejo, and myself as dive buddy, have tried to capture the variety of life that lies under the water, bringing the images back to the guests of Endeavour to enjoy. In the Cape Verde Islands, one thing they are not lacking underwater are moray eels, spotting five different species on one dive! Pictured here is a Stout Moray. We saw only the head of this fellow, but this species can grow to 7 feet long. Moray eels in general are spread across the temperate and warm seas of the world, ranging in size and color. Morays are notoriously powerful biters, but do not let the grumpy expression fool you, as they rarely attack humans unless provoked. The vicious expression, teeth bared, mouth open for attack, is actually a means to an end, as this is how the moray eel ‘breathes,’ its small gill opening located behind the head.
Who knows what the rest of the trip will discover, but for now we are content to relax and enjoy our transit to South America.
