It is now quicker to list the people who DON’t swim with the Bold & Beautiful, as that list only contains a handful of names. Today saw another Populus Aquaticus Majoris, which is the correct latin terminology for this type of marine phenomenon, and it contained a pod of 191 Homo Sapiens Nauticalus, 16 of which were of the Boulderdshiaricus species.
And like lemmings pouring over a cliff into the dark abyss, they just kept coming down the boat ramp. It’s a ritual performed by this marine species every morning at 7am, and it is scientifically shown to be an unstoppable event.
Who knows what actually goes on in their heads?
Then they curiously gather off the point and omit a deafening chatter. Marine scientists believe it’s an innate social behaviour, a primal need to connect with the others in the pod. But they’re not sure.
There were a number of juvenile Carcharhinus obscurus
in the bay too. According to the Australian Museum, the Dusky Whaler grows to 3.65 m in length 🙂
As the pod of humans reaches the shores of Shelly Beach, the creatures stand up, smile and resume the curious chatter once more. Scientists claim the humans suffer from an unfortunate biological design flaw which renders them unable to communicate efficiently during the act of swimming. The humans make up for it as soon as their little cute faces are above water, though.
These two juvenile humans aged 9 and 11 (Ben and Riley?) are lovlingly introduced to the wild seas of the bay by their fathers. Other offsprings spotted today were Michael R’s nephew John (11) and niece Ella (12). They were swimming too fast for today’s blogger to snap a photo of them, but hopefully next time.
Magnificent species indeed, as is this pink jellyfish spotted and photographed today by Stephen Coulter.
But what stirred up the pod of humans the most this morning was the influx of Physalia utriculus, of which photos abound on the internet.
When the Blubottle comes into contact with the delicate skin of the human, a fusion occurs with visually spectacular results.
These spectacular displays of bluebottle to human (Craig) contact were captured by Stephen Coulter.
Marine biologists speculate over the perceived desire of the humans to swim into the sticky tentacles of the bluebottle, but most conclude that it is part of the big picture pleasure of swimming in the ocean.
Happy birthday to Anne Scollon today! And here’s a Hong Kong greeting from Bloggus Tartus Extraordinarius of the very unique and beautiful LSA family.
One of our lovely swimmers and his wife, Jonny and Di Schaffer have very kindly offered to host a farewell picnic for Julie and Michael from 5pm on Sunday 13th January in Clontarf.
It will be nice and relaxed so that everyone can enjoy themselves, so it would be great if people can bring their own ‘picnic’ and drinks OR a plate of finger food to share and drinks (including any utensils they may need incl glasses / beakers etc…) for themselves.
People can arrive anytime from 5pm, in time to watch the sun go down over our beautiful Sydney Harbour.
Everyone is most welcome, but to help give us an idea of numbers please could everyone RSVP (to another lovely swimmer) Cate Brockbank at catejb33@yahoo.com.au with their estimated time of arrival and in return Cate will reply with the address 🙂
That’s all from Girl Friday Blogger Anna 🙂
10 comments
Laney-Loo formerly known as E-lane
04/01/2013 at 1:18 pm
Love the theme of the blog Anna and photos! It is great fun being in the Homosapien Nauticulus pod! Hope swimmers who copped stings are feeling better. I didn’t even see one!
Lovely photo of you in Hong Kong little Sarah.
How nice of Jonny and his wife to host the Farewell Party. We’ll be there! (And being a Pommie will probably be first to arrive and last to leave!)
See you tomorrow! (Don’t be put off by the blueys just swim really close behind someone else.)
John
04/01/2013 at 1:54 pm
Great blog ‘Girl Friday’. A shame to have blueys today to spoil what otherwise were great weather and water conditions. Hope those who got stung recovered OK.
10km Challenge takes place tomorrow with only one more in February. The 6km swim is also tomorrow and is possible to do any Saturday during the summer.
Alyson
04/01/2013 at 2:05 pm
Or just swim really close behind you Elaine! You can even swim through a swarm of jimbles and somehow not see them or be stung! Magic!
Little Sarah
04/01/2013 at 2:07 pm
Thx, Anna & Laney Loo & Lips – as Neil said, so great to see such wonderful blogs while away. Loved the cartoons, LL, and as for the pics of super Bold Craig today – wishing you a quick recovery.
Sorry not to join you all for the special farewell party…
HK that morning was less than 10c, now Thailand 30c
Xxxxxxx
Robbie Byrne
04/01/2013 at 3:21 pm
Great blog AA, nice to see LSA make an appearance too!
See you all tomorrow. 🙂
lesley
04/01/2013 at 5:15 pm
top tip to avoid blueys = breast stroke! (no smart comments DWSS + John S)! 😀
Love the pic of you Anna – even though it’s showing a blue bottle sting – you look so healthy and well!
mauricio
04/01/2013 at 6:31 pm
Love the blog Ana,
Specially when been elevated to the category of a marine species, definitely there is something evolutionary going on here in Manly.
More evidence of this magnificent phenomena can be found at the link as follows:
http://youtu.be/diZARwv8dNk
Hope you enjoy
Regards
Mauricio
PS. Two school of fish can be seen towards the end of the video which are worth a look…
DWSS
05/01/2013 at 7:06 am
Happy birthday Sarah. Dont tell HK you are there. They might not let an Australian national treasure leave.
Good luck on the 10k and 6k people’s.
Ouch to the bluey victims. Hope it gets better quickly.
LL I don’t know what you are implying regarding breast stroke. Haha, try rubbing oil in.
Getting withdrawals from the morning swim.
1 more week.
DWSS
05/01/2013 at 7:07 am
What an exceptional blog. Anna the gifted.
DWSS
05/01/2013 at 7:14 am
Mauricio, you are a legend!!