April 18, 2021 Something's Fishy Here....

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It's hot today at Lee Stocking Island. Muggy. Sultry. There is very little wind to cool us off.  So we pulled anchor and motored back to Tug & Barge for a snorkel.  It was delightful to be in the cool water, but even better to see so much rich sea life.

A nice little skate/stingray 

Our friend the nurse shark and his 2 remoras swam by to say hello, within 15 feet of us. *SO AWESOME!* It was bigger than I originally thought. Easily 10 ft long, maybe more. Good job, Brent, to have the presence of mind to snap a couple pics!
A large school of Bar Jacks took an interest in Brent and swam several laps around him before deciding he was harmless & moving on.
This French Angelfish was probably the biggest I've ever seen.  At least 16" diameter. But very camera shy.
This Scrawled Cowfish (in the very center of the frame if you have trouble picking it out!) was simply amazing.  The blue & green diamond pattern on his skin was beautiful, but then he'd move over by a rock or grass and change color to match his surroundings. Fascinating to watch.  If you look closely you can see the two horns at the top of his head.
And lastly, the pink tipped anenome, waving gently in the current.

The rest of the day was extremely laid back.  We motored back to our same spot at Lee Stocking, had a lemon Italian Ice from the freezer, and were thankful when the wind occasionally moved enough to stir the heavy air.  

We're the only boat in the anchorage tonight, a change from the 3 to 6 at a time we've seen in the past week. The air is not only still, it's very silent. There is a large motor yacht parked farther out near the channel, with teenagers and young kids aboard. They have gone ashore with flashlights to explore the abandoned research station, and every now and then we'll hear delighted screams and laughter.  A family making memories.

Tomorrow we start our move northward.  As on other trips, we became reconciled that all good things must end.  We have been through a spectrum of emotions, looking forward to picking up our life in Virginia, while also stunned by the beauty of the Bahamas and very much enjoying our days here. We'll move slowly, it will take several days to work north through the Exuma Cays.  We're thinking we will go back to the Berry Islands, then the Abacos, but tomorrow will at least start the move toward home.





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