Discover The Mystery Of Marine Life

I have always been a naturally curious person. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been full of questions. My mother and father frequently tell me and my family stories about how they could never make it through a car ride, a grocery trip or almost anything without me stopping them at least once with a question. For me, everything holds a little bit of mystery and magic. One of the biggest things that is mysterious to me is marine life.

I became interested in marine life upon my family's first vacation to Florida during my elementary years. We visited a couple of large aquariums and zoos that contained a lot of marine life and I was hooked. I didn't know such a thing as marine life existed before that trip to Florida, but my curiosity couldn't be stopped from that day on. I asked my parents for books about marine life, for stuffed marine life animals, and for trips to the zoo as often as I had the opportunity.

I think the main thing that first intrigud me about marine life is the fact that is takes place mostly under water. Marine life is a totally different kind of life, and that's why I am full of wonder about it. When it came time for me to choose a college and to prepare for a career, the choice was obvious. I went to university in Florida and studied Marine Biology. I chose this subject because it meant that I got to spent four years studying marine life. I couldn't be happier.

Even if you have no desire to study marine life for a profession, there are many ways for you to curb or entice your curiousity about it. Get online and see what you can learn or get off to your local library and check out a few books or magazines about marine life. See what can be learned and see if you can even narrow your interest further to include a particular variety of marine life.

If you are full of mysterious wonder about marine life, one of the best things you can do is to make a visit to an aquarium that is full of marine life. There is nothing like seeing your favorite species of marine life live. So make plans to explore the wonders of marine life on your next vacation. You'll be so glad you did.


About the Author:

Julee Mitchelsin is a marine biologist that continues to be fascinated with marine life. See www.funmarinelife.info for more details.

Back to Nature: Observing Marine Life When Boating

"Whether you boat on fresh water or on the ocean, there is a lot of marine life to observe and appreciate. We boat in the Pacific Northwest off the west coast around the islands and straits of the Pacific Ocean. The sea life here is exceptional. Following are some of our wonderful experiences."

One of the most powerful sights is that of large pods of Orca whales, or Killer whales as they are often referred to, as they migrate off the coast. Sometimes there can be several in these pods including mother whales and their babies. Orca whales are quite beautiful to see. Their black and white bodies glisten in the sunlight each time they appear near the water surface or do a breach jump. Usually the babies follow their mothers. It is quite possible to watch them for hours without getting tired.

Boaters must be careful and remain a respectable distance from the whales, as most whales are endangered. You do not want to interfere with their normal migration routes and movements. It is possible to see Orca whales up close in captivity, and they are splendid animals. But when you can actually see them in their normal environment in the ocean, it is magnificent. How fortunate we are to be able to go boating for a few days and have them entertain us along the way.

Another sea mammal that I always enjoy watching is the dolphin or the porpoise. They too can be found off the west coast. These mammals are so sleek and they can swim at very fast speeds. As they jump and slice through the surface of the water they are quite entertaining. Most people have seen dolphins in action at the various aquariums around the world. Well they do the same in the wild. They make me laugh. I think that they actually enjoy an audience!

Living in the Pacific North West, we are very aware of the salmon industry. When boating, there are many small fishing boats out with their nets during the fisheries openings for the various kinds of salmon. It is fun to watch them jump. Seals are also very good fishermen. You can be sure that when the salmon are plentiful around the mouths of the large rivers, you will see a lot of seals. They love to fish for salmon, much to the chagrin of the commercial fishermen. They can be seen swimming through the waters, or sunning themselves on large logs or rocky outcroppings along the shoreline. The bark of a seal is loud and comical to hear and they are another creature that can entertain west coast boaters.

When the salmon are running, you will find another fisherman, one with wings. There are many Bald Eagles on the west coast and they also enjoy a good salmon dinner. These are very majestic birds. Their soaring overhead is something to be marvelled at. The black and white features really stand out against the sky as they glide and then swoop down for a fish.

Sea otters can sometimes be seen around large beds of kelp. In particular I have seen many when boating in our Bayliner, off the coastline from British Columbia to California. These sea creatures are very timid, so you must give them space. They love to float on their backs and eat sea urchins or play in the water, rolling over and over. Often you can see them playing in pairs. Sea otters are my husband’s favorite sea mammals. He loves to watch them play. They really are very cute. If you have watched them, I’m sure you will agree.

As well as these mammals, the coast offers wonderful creatures that attached themselves to the rocks and driftwood or coral. Sea anemones are absolutely beautiful, as are the many colored starfish. Anenomes are found in white, pale green and soft pinks with large fluffy plumes. Starfish are found in ranges of bright orange to deep purple. They can be very tiny and fragile or very large. Some measure several inches across. Sea cucumbers, barnacles, sand dollars, oysters, mussels and crabs are all found along the coastline. I love to walk on docks at marinas when the tide is out and see some of these shell fish in tiny pools of water. You can often get up quite close to see them better.

All in all we are very fortunate in this area to be able to see so many creatures. Many of which are not seen by most people around the world. They enhance our environment and our boating experiences. It is important that we remember to respect all of these creatures in their natural environments, so as not to interfere with nature’s course.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Boats, Anchors and More http://www.boats-anchors-and-more.com a boating resource site featuring boat accessories, fishing lure manufacturers and inflatable boats. Everything you need for the boating season.

Moving to Skopelos for Marine Life

There are many reasons to choose to move to Skopelos. As a marine biologist, I was first drawn to the National Sporades Marine Park. But I soon found Skopelos had much to offer and plunged in to buy a house in the old town.

The marinelife reserve which first attracted my attention is actually centred on neighbouring Alonnisos and her surrounding islets. But Alonnisos proved a touch too quiet for me. And Skiathos, with its airport, rather too busy. Skopelos strikes just the right balance. Indeed; Skopelos is off the beaten track, but not too remote. It is not too big, but not too small. And it is modern and cosmopolitan, but has kept its traditional character. Exploring Skopelos further you soon realise that it is rightly known as the ‘green and blue’ island of Greece. The islands of the Cyclades have much allure, but few trees. The Ionians are green – but at the cost of wet, wet winters. Skopelos has it just right. The green is provided by 5 million pines and thousands olive trees. And with trails throughout these lush hills and valleys, the walking and cycling is superb.

But it was the ‘blue’ bit that really got me. Skopelos has a fabulous, varied coastline of sweeping beaches and rugged cliffs. All but a couple of the beaches are made up of pebbles - and this suits the snorkeller just fine. Sand makes for poor visibility, as well as attracting the tourist hordes. The rockier bays and inlets of Skopelos, with their caves and submerged rocks, give the snorkeller more to explore. This varied underwater habitat means a greater range of beasties, with; sea urchins, squid, Octopi and dozens of fish species frequently seen. There is no need to dive down deep or swim far out to see such wildlife treasures, and a taverna is always nearby should you fancy eating some of it.

The marine park is a short boat ride away. And here you can readily see one of the world’s most endangered mammals; the Mediterranean Monk Seal, of which there are only 600 or so left. The warm seas of the Mediterranean are often strangely lacking in seabirds, but here in the Sporades they are impressive, with the effortless flying of the shearwaters being especially so.

But if marinelife is not your main interest, and you are more drawn to traditional life, or modern bars, or walking, or good beaches… Skopelos has a little of it all. It was this laid back balance of everything I liked about Greece that led me to settle on Skopelos. From 1400 Greek islands I chose Skopelos. Of course, I can’t say I explored all of them before choosing. I didn’t have to.

Skopelos topos Real estate Skopelos island Greece.
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Marine Life And Wildlife At Sipadan Island

As one of the top dive sites in the world, Sipadan Island has been blessed with a myriad of reefs amidst crystal clear blue water. With visibility of between 60 and 200 feet, the sea surrounding this mushroom shaped island is a perfect habitat for over 3000 species of fish. Beautiful hard and soft coral thrive abundantly, almost untouched by the spoils of civilization. This is the perfect feeding ground for reef fishes of various shapes, sizes, breeds and color. In fact, turtles are common sight here, as they rest and feed in peace within the ledges of the Drop-Off.

As colorful parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, and hundreds of other colored fishes play amongst the corals, divers will also marvel at the passing schools of barracudas, parrot fish or needle fish. Search within staghorns, and you may be able to catch a glimpse of a tiny clown fish foraging for food. Looking between the rock crevices, you will see hiding eels or even a small shrimp. Sea cucumbers and star fish line the floor of the sea, while small fishes and eels hide under large boulders.

The abundance of small fishes also attracts the presence of larger predator fish, such as the small Black Tipped Reef Sharks, Hammerheads, manta rays and even large cuttlefish. Even turtles seeking for jellyfish can be seen gliding gently over the seabed, although the sheer abundance of the turtles in Sipadan will surprise you!

If you are taking a night dive, you may even catch a glimpse of the lion fish, leaf fish and frog fish, possibly taken aback by the light you use to shine on them. Of course, night dives bring out a foray of different type of marine life, such as the Bumphead Parrot Fish, all types of crabs and nudibranchs amidst the vivid colors of the corals at night.

While the rich marine is the true highlight of Pulau Sipadan, this island is also a habitat for many types of birds. The lush fauna within has helped this island earn its status as a bird sanctuary as declared in 1933. Bird watchers are able to catch glimpses of the white-collared kingfisher, sea eagles, olive-backed sunbird and pigeons. On the ground, monitor lizards and coconut crabs also make Sipadan their home.

This has been only just a glimpse of the variety of species you will find when you visit Sipadan. A visit to this island is necessary to marvel at the awesome beauty Sipadan has to offer.

Jacob Mojiwat recommends http://www.SipadanDivingVacation.com, a booking service website for resorts on Mabul Island, the gateway to diving at Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai Islands. He is passionate about diving and has managed to convince many of his friends to take up diving. He lives in Kota Kinabalu, just a short plane ride away from Sipadan Island.