Loggerhead eats oil rig

[louisianadiver]

Oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico are well known as fish habitat, but they also serve sponges to loggerhead turtles. This monster (over 200 lbs, I'm sure) was going over the pilings like corn on the cob:

and seemed to be happy with the results:

Clay

 

[archman]

Those are such nice pictures. If you don't mind, there's a turtle researcher who may be interested in seeing those. I don't know how common it is for people to photograph turtles eating, but she might not see it too often.

Here's her contact info:

Emma Hickerson
Research & Permits Coordinator, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(409) 621-5151, ext. 111
emma.hickerson@noaa.gov

**
Tell her that Archie from Mary Wicksten's lab referred you.

 

[CheddarChick]

Sooooooo Cool.....I wonder did you have the ability to shoot video???

 

[Jim Ernst]

Thats so cool!! You got some REALLY nice pictures!

 

[diver 85]

Those are such nice pictures. If you don't mind, there's a turtle researcher who may be interested in seeing those. I don't know how common it is for people to photograph turtles eating, but she might not see it too often.

Here's her contact info:

Emma Hickerson
Research & Permits Coordinator, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(409) 621-5151, ext. 111
emma.hickerson@noaa.gov

**
Tell her that Archie from Mary Wicksten's lab referred you.

Actually, I've seen many.........tell your reseacher to hit Roatan........they love the reef there........

BTW La. diver, great pics........what rig were you diving???...

 

[fisheyeview]

Nice shots. You can really see the joy in his expression on the 2nd shot.

 

[archman]

Actually, I've seen many.........tell your reseacher to hit Roatan........they love the reef there........

I think she'd be more interested in the Gulf of Mexico, where her research lies. Particularly with feeding associated with an oil rig. Pics like that can show direct support for the "Rigs to Reefs" programs.

 

[Hemlon]

Nice pics!

 

[louisianadiver]

Thanks all for the kudos.

Archman: I know Emma. In fact, she was on the Spree while we were on the Fling earlier this week. Where is Mary Wicksten's lab? I might have contacted her once about the "lightbulb anemones" on the rigs.

Diver 85: The rig was High Island 376-A--a smallish platform about 5 miles from the East Bank and out of the sanctuary. Lots going on there, including a school of little spinner sharks that buzzed us to and from the rig.

 

[diver 85]

Thanks all for the kudos.

Archman: I know Emma. In fact, she was on the Spree while we were on the Fling earlier this week. Where is Mary Wicksten's lab? I might have contacted her once about the "lightbulb anemones" on the rigs.

Diver 85: The rig was High Island 376-A--a smallish platform about 5 miles from the East Bank and out of the sanctuary. Lots going on there, including a school of little spinner sharks that buzzed us to and from the rig.

thought it was (close to)there, private boat or commercial pay(Fling/Spree)............good shots..did you get any video??.....