What's that moving over there?
Started by
uwfan
, Dec 06 2008 10:46 AM
7 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 06 December 2008 - 10:46 AM
This summer I fell in love.
With rock beauties!!
I can't say exactly what it is about these fish that has attracted me so much, but I really like their black and yellow features. It didn't take me long to learn their name, but there were other fish, plants and creatures whose names I didn't know.
I spent a lot of time learning names by listening to conversations, asking questions, and looking through fish id books to try to sort out what creatures I saw on my dives. But I'm wondering, how do YOU learn the names of what you see in the ocean? Do you have any favorite creatures? Or favorite wrecks...and why?
With rock beauties!!
I can't say exactly what it is about these fish that has attracted me so much, but I really like their black and yellow features. It didn't take me long to learn their name, but there were other fish, plants and creatures whose names I didn't know.
I spent a lot of time learning names by listening to conversations, asking questions, and looking through fish id books to try to sort out what creatures I saw on my dives. But I'm wondering, how do YOU learn the names of what you see in the ocean? Do you have any favorite creatures? Or favorite wrecks...and why?
#2
Posted 06 December 2008 - 03:02 PM
Truthfully I think EVERY thing I've learned to identify in the water was a mad flurry of sign language asking my buddy if they knew what it was and then trying to find it in an identification book.
I should of taken a class or five!
I should of taken a class or five!
Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !
Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
#3
Posted 06 December 2008 - 04:25 PM
I'm pretty good, and can easily identify big fish vs small fish vs marine mammal. I once pointed at a piece of coral thinking it was a nudibranch, causing my favorite dive buddy to laugh so hard she spewed out her reg.
No aquarium, no tank in a marine land, however spacious it may be, can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea. And no dolphin who inhabits one of those aquariums or one of those marine lands can be considered normal.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
Jacques Yves Cousteau
#4
Posted 06 December 2008 - 04:38 PM
On every trip I learn the names of couple of new creatures. Usually I will point out the item of question during the dive and shrug my shoulders in hopes my buddy, or the person closest to me, recognizes what I have discovered. If they don't know at least there is somebody else who can help describe what we saw when we get above water.But I'm wondering, how do YOU learn the names of what you see in the ocean? Do you have any favorite creatures? Or favorite wrecks...and why?
In Bonaire I learned the Slipper Lobster. When I got on the boat it was quickly identified when I described seeing something that looked like a giant cockroach. Then in Curacao after describing what appeared to be a big black slug, I learned the Sea Cucumber. At this rate it is going to be LONG time before I learn the names of many creatures. Maybe someday I will have the opportunity to take a fish identification class.
"If life gives you limes, make margaritas." – Jimmy Buffett
#5
Posted 06 December 2008 - 07:41 PM
I got pretty good at critter id when I lived in Seattle. So many amazing critters call Puget Sound home.
I learned a few ways ~ Was a Beach Naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium for several years.
The Aquarium does extensive training with its naturalist on what creatures live in and around Puget Sound.
Dive buddies were also willing to teach and point out how to spot critters.
Finally access to some great books that not only show photos but give information on the critters
Favorites ~ The list is long but here are a few.
Nudibranch ~ These guys come in so many different colors and sizes... always a fun find.
Chitons ~ Somewhat prehistoric in looks
Grunt Sculpin ~ This fish is so cute and strange looking that I fell in love at first sight.
GPOs ~ Octos are amazing creatures.. and to get to dive with the worlds largest ones was amazing.
Wolf Eels ~ Again.. so ugly you have to like them... Have seen a few that remind me of Golden Retrievers.. so happy to see a diver swim past.
I learned a few ways ~ Was a Beach Naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium for several years.
The Aquarium does extensive training with its naturalist on what creatures live in and around Puget Sound.
Dive buddies were also willing to teach and point out how to spot critters.
Finally access to some great books that not only show photos but give information on the critters
Favorites ~ The list is long but here are a few.
Nudibranch ~ These guys come in so many different colors and sizes... always a fun find.
Chitons ~ Somewhat prehistoric in looks
Grunt Sculpin ~ This fish is so cute and strange looking that I fell in love at first sight.
GPOs ~ Octos are amazing creatures.. and to get to dive with the worlds largest ones was amazing.
Wolf Eels ~ Again.. so ugly you have to like them... Have seen a few that remind me of Golden Retrievers.. so happy to see a diver swim past.
Well Behave Women Rarely Make History ~ Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Formerly known as gis_gal and name tattoo'd for a small bribe!
Formerly known as gis_gal and name tattoo'd for a small bribe!
#6
Posted 06 December 2008 - 07:49 PM
My favorite is the Trunkfish! I just love their spots,and how they look all puckered up for a kiss...batting their eyelashes like they are flirting!!
I also love how the juveniles look like little dice bobbing in the water!
I also love how the juveniles look like little dice bobbing in the water!
There is not a shred of evidence that life is serious. ~ Ogden Nash
Be yourself, everybody else is already taken. ~ Oscar Wilde
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind! ~ Dr Seuss
Be yourself, everybody else is already taken. ~ Oscar Wilde
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind! ~ Dr Seuss
#7
Posted 06 December 2008 - 09:05 PM
I actually learned to ID the PLF's (pretty little fishes) by taking lots of uw photos, and when I got home and put them on the computer, I wanted to rename all the files to "pufferfish #1", etc. so that they weren't all named DSC0001 or something like that. I bought the Humann/DeLoach set of 3 books, and poured through them trying to match up to the pic on my screen. I learned a lot that way, very quickly!
And, I have yet to get a good pic of the rock beauty. Stubborn things seem to be very shy!
And, I have yet to get a good pic of the rock beauty. Stubborn things seem to be very shy!
#8
Posted 23 January 2009 - 12:18 PM
I just had to add to this thread...after sharing my latest dive video from Grenada with three classes at the request of teachers... There's just something about being able to give kids real world footage and talk about "camouflage" with an octopus and stingray with 2nd graders... and being able to give names to kids of all the kinds of eels (they LOVED!). And when they say,"I wish I could do that!"....Ahhhh, that is WONDERFUL!! For my students...that means they have something that they might work for and have a reason to try to learn even if "school" isn't their thing.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me learn the names of the PLFs (and the not so PLFs ) so that my students can learn what they are!
Oh, and I would say by the sound of excitement.... green moray eels UP CLOSE are the ULTIMATE favorite!!
Thanks to everyone who has helped me learn the names of the PLFs (and the not so PLFs ) so that my students can learn what they are!
Oh, and I would say by the sound of excitement.... green moray eels UP CLOSE are the ULTIMATE favorite!!
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users