A Reef Walk

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By Adelaide Vawter (11 years old)
Today in Suwarrow National Park, part of the Cook Islands and one of the most remote atolls in the world, we are going on a reef walk at 9:30 am. We determined that low tide was at 10:52am with our Navionics navigation software. It is important to go at low tide because the tide pools are covered with water at high tide. It can be dangerous because of the waves and the current, so you need to know the tides. Before we leave we will prepare the things that we need, like a hat, polarized sunglasses, water, sunscreen, a dry bag, walking sticks and a camera.
As we come in with our dingy, we see a small Blacktip Reef Shark and a big reef crab. We arrive at the reef, the current is strong and you have to wade up to your knees. The rangers, John and Harry tell us that the sharks will go for you if you splash too much. So, if you see a shark coming toward you, you need to stand still and yell at it. When we arrive to the outer reef we see tide pools, there are lots of fish and flat corals of all different colors in them. The waves and the current get the fish stuck in the pools, lunch for a bird. We also see lots of gobies – small fish that eat plankton and algae off rocks. A little way down a Snowflake Eel shoots through my dad’s legs.
We also see lots of Sea Cucumbers, some are black and some are orange. I pick one up and hold it; you can see all the little feet on its underside. When it comes out of the water it more less pees out all the water it’s been holding in its body.
On the way back we spot seven Snowflake Eels and four Blacktip Reef Sharks. When we get home, we identify the species of fish and eels we saw with our Tropic Pacific Reef Fish Identification Guide by Allen, Steene, Humann and Deloach. We write them down in our species tracking notebook where we list different animals we have identified with their genus and species names. That was our reef walk in Suwarrow National Park, October 5th, 2018.

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21 comments

  1. Joyce Beery Miles says:

    Very well written, Adelaide. Hope this was a school assignment. You should receive an “A”, for your excellent writing. Your descriptions made us feel like we were right there with you, wading in the tidal pools. Can’t wait to see photos when you can upload them.

  2. Joyce Beery Miles says:

    Very well written, Adelaide. Hope this was a school assignment. You should receive an “A”, for your excellent writing. Your descriptions made us feel like we were right there with you, wading in the tidal pools. Can’t wait to see photos when you can upload them. You may end up taking over writing the blog posts.

  3. Marianne McGriff says:

    Good morning, Adelaide
    You wrote an impressive piece! I LOVED reading about the reef walk, preparations and all the fish! Thank you for educating me about the wonders of the ocean…well done!!! Love and hugs, Marianne

  4. Karen Minton says:

    How awesome to read a post written by you Adelaide! Jolie will be so excited to read this when she gets home from school today. We will have to look up the species of fish you mentioned so we can see what they look like too! Sounds like a wonderful day! Much love Auntie Karen

  5. JAMES NICHOLAS VAWTER says:

    Way to go Adelaide, you now can substitute for your parents when they are to busy to write. We should be getting more posts now. Just kidding. I do look forward to all of your family posts. Love you all, stay safe. Uncle Nick

  6. Gary Souza says:

    Good job, Adelaide! So informative and descriptive it felt like I was there with you. Glad you and the rest of the family are having such a good time. Be safe. Aloha, Gary S

  7. Douglas Vawter says:

    Well done Adelaide!! Very proud of you. Autie Kim will be impressed. Enjoy your week and let us know when you head to a new Island. Love to All, Gramps

  8. Myka Suhr says:

    Wow! It’s crazy you’ve gotten this far. And yeah Adelaide-don’t splash too much!! I’m excited for pictures!

  9. Barbara Vawter says:

    Awesome Adelaide. I think you’ll set the record for the most comments on your blog. I love all your descriptions. Please give All hugs from us!

  10. Libbey McKendry says:

    Adelaide, I really loved reading about your reef walk. Your story is beautifully writen and I, too feel like I am right there with you! Love you, Nana

  11. Becky Baker says:

    I loved reading your entry, Adelaide!!! You are a beautiful writer and I enjoyed all of your lovely descriptions! Miss you!!

  12. Eva Simmonds from Aurora B aged 10 says:

    I loved your entry. Loved reading about your reef walk. Can’t wait to see the photos (when you upload them).

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