5.53am
6am
6.05am ( I was lucky enough to swim with this group)
This family – Linda Kai & Sol swam with the large group of 7amers, such as Mary et al…..
But really the swim was about our friends Dusky Whaler, Carcharhinus obscurus (Lesueur, 1818) – obscurus (Latin for “dark” or “dim”)
The water was crystal clear (except for some bitey itchy things and a brownish red slick near the shelly boat ramp.
Duskies at the point , Duskies near the pool, Duskies close to the walk way, Duskies up the middle, Duskies at the bower, Duskies all the way home…….
Beautiful………….
The Dusky Whaler has a long pointed snout, long pectoral fins and a low ridge between the dorsal fins…The first dorsal fin is tall and the tail is heterocercal (the upper lobe larger than the lower). The species is grey to grey-brown above and pale below. There is an indistinct stripe on the side of the body. It extends forward from above the pelvic fins. In juveniles, the lower lobe of the caudal fin and underside of the pectoral fins are dusky. Fin markings become less distinct as the fish ages.
The Dusky Whaler grows to 4.2 m (14 ft) in length and 347 kg (765 lb) in weight, This species has a three-year reproductive cycle; females bear litters of 3–14 young after a gestation period of 22–24 months, after which there is a year of rest before they become pregnant again. Females are capable of storing sperm for long periods, as their encounters with suitable mates may be few and far between due to their nomadic lifestyle and low overall abundance. The litter size ranges from 3 to 16, with 6 to 12 being typical, and does not correlate with female size.
Females move into shallow inshore habitats such as lagoons to give birth, as such areas offer their pups rich food supplies and shelter from predation (including from their own species), and leave immediately afterward. Newborn dusky sharks measure 0.7–1.0 m (2.3–3.3 ft) long. Females also provision their young with energy reserves, stored in a liver that comprises one-fifth of the pup’s weight, which sustains the newborn until it learns to hunt for itself.
The dusky shark is one of the slowest-growing shark species, reaching sexual maturity only at a substantial size and age (see table) Various studies have found growth rates to be largely similar across geographical regions and between sexes. The annual growth rate is 8–11 cm (3.1–4.3 in) over the first five years of life. The maximum lifespan is believed to be 40–50 years or more.
Dusky References
http://australianmuseum.net.au/dusky-shark-carcharhinus-obscurus-lesueur-1818
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusky_shark#Taxonomy
Stats
Swimmers: 15@6am, 10@6.05am, 60@6.30am. approx 150@7am
Newbies: Yes
Sharks: Still a Gazillion
Temp: still warm 21.8º
Have a great week ahead
Simon
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Announcements:
*ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation*
Australia’s Biggest Charity Race Day being held in the Grand
Pavilion at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 4th June 2016
On the day, 22 children’s disability and medical research charities will be
supported, including Royal Far West.
1,500 guests are expected at this glittering charity event which will
include a number of top racing personalities and connections. Fun and
entertainment will include Fashion in the Fields, a stunning charity
auction and raffle as well as music and dancing and of course a flutter on
the races.
*Individual tickets are $225, or tables of 10 are $2,100 and include:*
1. Entry Tickets to Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on 4th June 2016
2. Complimentary Parking in the infield of the race track
3. Entry to the Grand Pavilion Ballroom with viewing terrace of the
finishing straight and winning post.
4. 3 Course Sit Down Gourmet Lunch – With full waiter service
5. Glass of French Champagne on arrival
6. 5 Hour Drinks Package of Sparkling, White and Red Wines, Beer and
Soft Drinks
7. Entertainment and dancing
8. 8 Horse Races on the day
9. TAB betting facilities in the ballroom as well as on-course
bookies.
10. Complimentary Race Guide for each guest
11. Stunning charity auction – Fully electronic – so no noisy
auctioneer
12. Charity Raffle with stunning prizes
13. Coach Transport to and from major suburbs (has to be pre-booked
at an additional cost of $20 per person)
————-
The next B&B monthly dinner will be on Tuesday 12th April at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. There will be no guest speaker on the night giving everybody the chance to catch up and chat. This has been requested many times lately so we are responding accordingly…..leave your phones behind and talk to people. Novel eh ?
The cost of the dinner is only $25 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff. Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please BOOK HERE NOW,
B&B Swim School is Back
Join Pacific Jules Coach Sarah Anne for an hour at Shelley Beach to learn the essentials of how to breath in your freestyle stroke, and ultimately how to swim more efficiently in the open water.
If you’ve attended these workshops before, then it’s the perfect chance to brush up on your technique and work on progressing your stroke further.
Date: Saturday 30 April 2016 9:45-10:45AM
Cost: $25
Location: Shelly Beach
Open to everyone and all abilities welcome.
What to bring: swim suit, cap, goggles, wetsuit, water and money for a hot cuppa afterwards!
——-
PINK WEDNESDAYS AT WHITEWATER RESTAURANT
From 2nd March, each and every Wednesday will be “PINK WEDNESDAY” at WHITEWATER RESTAURANT. B&B swimmers will receive a massive 50% discount on all food items when they present their “PINK WEDNESDAY” CARD.
In order to get your “PINK WEDNESDAY” CARD, which is only available for B&B members, send an E-mail to Rebeka Zubac, Functions & Event Coordinator at Whitewater Restaurant to info@whitewaterrestaurant.com.au. Please complete the form below and copy it into your email.
SUBJECT: PINK WEDNESDAY
First Name:
Last Name:
E-mail:
Mobile:
Gender:
Date of Birth:
18 comments
Rusty
11/04/2016 at 9:14 am
Great blog and photos Simon. Such an incredible morning. Winter bring out the best in the mornings!
Simon Cowell
11/04/2016 at 9:51 am
Thanks Rusty it was a beautiful swim
Sent from my iPhone
Mary
11/04/2016 at 10:07 am
Love the early morning shots Simon! Beautiful swim apart from the biting things. Saw heaps of Duskies and at least three Fiddler Rays
Simon Cowell
11/04/2016 at 11:09 am
Thanks Mary
I only saw one Fidler ray? Did you get any photos of them?
Sent from my iPhone
Bill McCaffeine
11/04/2016 at 12:48 pm
Great blog and information, thanks
JK
11/04/2016 at 1:36 pm
Great stuff Simon, saw a Port Jackson, loads of duskies and a turtle resting on the sand
Simon Cowell
11/04/2016 at 2:13 pm
Thanks Bill
The info helps explain the reasons for our current dusky visual feast.
Sent from my iPhone
Simon Cowell
11/04/2016 at 2:16 pm
Thanks John
I missed the turtle must have been hiding beneath the Duskies.
Sent from my iPhone
Lips
11/04/2016 at 3:12 pm
What a morning!! Great photos and shark facts Simon.
Most fascinating insight: “Females are capable of storing sperm for long periods, as their encounters with suitable mates may be few and far between due to their nomadic lifestyle and low overall abundance.”
rob
11/04/2016 at 3:18 pm
Great blog Simon. Great seeing the abundance of Duskys these mornings but kinda hoping they move off before they reach 4m!
Simon Cowell
11/04/2016 at 4:53 pm
Thanks Lips
What is the human application?
Sent from my iPhone
Lesbubs
11/04/2016 at 5:14 pm
mm interesting..
Lips
11/04/2016 at 5:25 pm
Yes, thought of you when i read this..
Simon Cowell
11/04/2016 at 5:26 pm
It appears CTB is a nursery and the mothers dont return.
However the mother sharks obviously come into the bay to deliver their pups.
Sent from my iPhone
Simon Cowell
11/04/2016 at 5:27 pm
Try not to shoot the messenger.
Sent from my iPhone
Peta Bird
11/04/2016 at 6:19 pm
Thank you Simon, interesting blog.
A very BIG THANK you to Tom who found my B&B jacket that went missing last week!
Elizabeth X
11/04/2016 at 10:18 pm
Great blog as always, thanks Simon. Really loved those colourful dawn photos
Meg
12/04/2016 at 2:28 pm
I know its a little late to comment on your blog, but the photographs you’ve taken are really great and I just have to comment!!