Flying Gurnards & Other Concoctions: Giant Napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus)

About Flying Gurnards: Haven't seen any Flying Gurnards lately. Still like odd stuff. And sometimes I do stupid stuff and call it spontaneous. True story. I also don't have travelling shoes. They broke before I left home (omen?) and since then it's been mostly bare feet and flipflops although I keep killing them and consequently am on my fourth pair. I miss home. And everybody that makes it what it is. I feel fortunate doing what I do where I am. And I am still full o' love for life!

Thanks for reading Flying Gurnards & Other Concoctions.

With tons of love, big hugs and sunny smiles

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Giant Napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus)

A couple of days ago I took two Scandinavian divers out for a dip on Rainbow Reef where we found ourselves in unusual company. The three of us were surrounded by a huge school of gorgeous fusiliers when suddenly out of nowhere a 2 meter Napoleon wrasse and his Significant (and much smaller) Other appeared. They decided that we were a welcome distraction and kept coming back for another curious look. Napoleon or Humphead wrasse have large expressive eyes that are akin to googly eyes, and we were certainly being ogled tons! (not as a potential snack, mind you)
It was the first Napoleon I've come across here in Jordan and his massive size was impressive. His girlfriend was a bit more coy but she warmed up and after spending minutes gazing into each other's eyes we parted ways. Aquatic encounters such as these bring a big smile to my face...