My Out on A Swim blog is rated in the Top 20 Coral Reef Blogs in the world.
It serves as a record of what has caught my eye when ‘out on a swim’ in the lagoons of Norfolk Island, as well as providing some short stories about the characters under the waves.
Purple velvet sea star, Leiaster leachii, as it broadcasts spawn into the water column, Norfolk Island
In May on Norfolk Island, the day after the full moon and at low tide, I witnessed an enormous Leach’s sea star, Leiaster leachi, as it broadcast its gametes into the water column. What an amazing WOW moment! And what a privilege to witness such a rare event. Here are some images and video of the action.
Read MoreIsland Sea Star - Astrostole rodolphi
Marine scientists have been giving these underwater stars an image makeover. The starfish of our childhoods, for those of you who have a few beachside summers under your beach towel, is now more properly known as a sea star. They have seawater for blood, two stomachs, no brain, and tiny ‘eyes’ at the end of each arm!
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