Yesterday we were able to visit a survey site near La Perouse Pinnacle, one of my favorite sites at French Frigate Shoals. The 120 foot tall pinnacle is the only remnant of this atoll's volcanic heritage, as well as the only land in the area reaching more than a few feet above sea level. The pinnacle is named after the French explorer Jean-Francois de la Perouse, who almost lost two frigates while attempting to navigate these shoals in 1786.
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| Coral and algae (pink and feathery) at La Perouse |
From a distance, the pinnacle is easily mistaken for a sailing ship, especially since the top half is white, owing to the hundreds of seabirds that use it as a roost. These birds also make it an unfortunate lunch spot - birds can be rather smelly - but the below water scenery is beautiful. It is unusual to have high coral cover in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, due to their northern latitude, however La Perouse is an exception. This survey site is covered in a combination of yellow and gold coral, red to dark pink, feathery algae, and a pink crustose coralline algae that looks like smooth, hardened bubble gum spread across the bottom. It is called 'crustose coralline' literally because it forms a crust that adheres to the bottom that is hard like a coral skeleton. It is a beautiful dive site, complete with large rock outcropping, probably more volcanic remnants, that are covered with coral colonies. There is also a large swim-through directly underneath one end of the pinnacle. We went to investigate this after our surveys were completed and the tunnel is short enough to easily see through to the other side of the pinnacle, but wide enough to allow at least 10 divers to swim through at one time. While we were there, there was a large school of small, silvery fish glinting in the sunlight on the other side of the tunnel.
To end the day we were able to slip away from data entry for a few minutes to enjoy a beautiful sunset. I'm not sure why, but of all the islands that we visit, the NWHI boast the most spectacular sunsets I've seen.
I hope you have had a wonderful evening.
Take care and good night,
Cristi
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