Weekly Photo Challenge: Cherry On Top

/ Christina B

Snorkelling along the Ningaloo Reef in northwest Australia in the clear, unpolluted water is an unforgettable experience. Paddling is another way to enjoy this beautiful area and all it has to offer. Coming across a shy sea turtle when you’re snorkelling or paddling is an added bonus. These elusive creatures glide through the water, seemingly effortlessly, and can hold their breaths for long periods of time. I’ve been fortunate enough to swim alongside some a couple of times when we were out snorkelling.

They only pop their heads up to breathe when they feel safe. Before they do that they come up once to check that everything is ok, duck back down and then they’ll come up to breathe. I’ve seen them do this on a number of occasions when I’ve been out paddling but I didn’t have a camera with me. They’ll only have their heads above water for a few short seconds and you never know if, when or where another one will pop up. Last year when we were at Coral Bay (read more about the trip here) we did a glass bottom boat tour and saw lots of turtles. It was beautiful. I stood ready with my camera in hand, but with no idea where to look or focus. When one did pop up I literally had a second to turn, zoom in, focus and shoot. To be able to capture them was the absolute cherry on top.

Green sea turtle popping up for a look and then to take a breath. Taken on the glass bottom bout tour.
Green sea turtle, Coral Bay, Western Australia
Green sea turtle at Coral Bay, Western Australia

19 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: Cherry On Top”

  4. Ag, kyk net die ou bekkie. You really are a lucky fish to be able to get this close to them. We saw them once earlier this year (apparently they come out onto the beach at night to lay their eggs on high ground) and then they disappeared just as quickly. We’ve seen the eggshells, but not the babies.

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