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Journal 5-Russ
Lounsbury: Mission Day 2: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 Today we had some visitors to the habitat. A group of Girl Scouts, who were winners in an essay contest, made the dive to Aquarius. They couldn't have picked a better day. I was out on hookah (an umbilical air supply to the habitat). The visibility was excellent and the area around the habitat teemed with baitfish. Of course, when the baitfish are present you are sure to find predators. Aquarius is home to some very large predators, and it seems we had their neighbors show up for the feast as well. While the schools of bait undulated around the baseplate legs and reef around our home, dozens of bar jacks constantly darted in for a quick meal. The jacks seemed to constantly swim after a school, while larger fish lay and wait. A dozen or so grouper, several snook and a few barracuda all waited for the baitfish to come close - before they struck out. When they actually picked a target they moved so quickly it was difficult to tell if they caught prey or not. A telltale scale or two was all that was left from the lightening quick encounter. The fish didn't seem to mind my presence when I moved to the bottom and
the center of their activity. Sitting still, the baitfish flowed by me
as though I was a rock and they were the stream. I noticed that one of
the small fish had a wound, which changed its swimming pattern in what
appeared to be a house of mirrors. I felt the water surge as the fish
swam close to my face when the predators attacked and the baitfish responded.
The flurry was so fast and in multiple directions at once. I have no idea
what happened to the wounded fish. And you think your school is tough? |
Mission
Date: August, 2002 Mission Summary Aquanaut Profiles Expedition Journals Mission Pictures |
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