Raiatea has some unusual flora and fauna.
Check out the colors of these water lilies for example!
The scent of tropical flowers perfumes the air, sending you off to sleep, even in mid day!
I tried my new underwater camera for the first, and last time for awhile, because I got a nasty coral cut, that is now infected. I got it from fire coral that was not visible on our balcony’s dive ladder. No more underwater photo practice for me until it heals.
I did manage to get some decent shots on my first attempt. Can you see the camouflaged octopus here? He was quite large and stuck his tentacles simultaneously down many holes searching for prey. When he found some, he ballooned his entire body around it and killed it.
So many beautiful fish, I even saw a lion fish wish I would love to show you. Lots of giant clams too.
This guy was half in and out of water!
And this one appears to live in the thatch of our bungalow.
Raiatea is surrounded by motus, which are empty atolls, that you can sail or kayak over to, and spend your day on your own private island like Robinson Crusoe!
Cheers to you from beautiful Raiatea~
.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
174 thoughts on “Raiatea’s Remarkable Flora & Fauna~”
Comments are closed.
Great photos – too bad about the fire coral and sounds like it was well named. Hope you heal fast!
It’s hard to believe that such things are real. Beautiful!
Kayaking… it will be a great substitute for your underwater photography (which was quite good, BTW). Curt
Good idea for a few days from now! Thanks!
The blue in that first photo is spectacular. Take care of that cut; hope it heals quickly.
Hope your infection clears up quickly Cindy. Coral infections can be very nasty. Take care. Paradise can have it’s hidden dangers. Beautiful images
Extraordinary sites and photos, Cindy. I saw an octopus once when snorkeling in Hawaii. It was a treat to see one up close in its natural habitat.
Love those fish with the blue ‘eye shadow.’ Sigh.
PS I’m sorry about the coral wound. That sounds quite painful, not to mention discouraging. I hope you heal quickly.
Niiice! 😀
…except for the coral cut & the infection that is.
These less visited islands in the off season are truly something, but one must be aware of what to expect! I am getting aware! 😉 😉
Beautiful beautiful! That little bird is the cutest thing ever! He was saying hi! Happy trails to you! 😄💗💜
And you sweet Michele!
Beautiful photos! And what a lovely place. I hope you heal quickly!
Awww, so kind, and I hope so too! Thank you~
Oh, thoughtful and appreciated~
Wow!!!
Tomorrow off to Huahine by puddle jumper. The Raiatea experience is something I am going to need to contemplate to gain perspective. We really roughed it, no AC, no insect screens in our deep over water bungalow. I used three types of insect repellent, on my body, in the air, and in a vitamin B patch, I am the one who got mosky bites. Beauty unbelieveable, but lots of health factors. I am the experienced ocean swimmer, but I got blasted by the coral that shouldn’t have been on the last step of the dive ladder. Jim is a newbie snorkeler, he got no coral contact or mosky botes. Cie le Vie! <3
Poor you. It sounds like thing that would happen to me. I am impressed that you an ocean swimmer. I am afraid of swimming where my feet don’t touch the floor/ground. I have taken several swimming classes and it did not help. Finally, I took a class for non swimmers survival. Basically how to float on my back until help shows up. 😀 ))) That was many years ago. I will simply drown. 🙁
I hope you will heal soon. Enjoy Huahine! 🙂
“I will simply drown.”
Oh dear! Now I know you are incredibly brave because you take so many cruises despite your fear of swimming. This is the definition of bravery, not letting your fear stop you!
I’m impressed as usual with you Fae!
very beautiful photos! I <3 very much the first one : magical blue!
I couldn’t believe the color either! There are two large ponds just full of them. So happy you liked them too~
Time to come into the cold. 🙂
Enjoy yourselves.
YES!!!! Cold PLEASE as I type this sweating after just changing my bandage. Ahhhhhh, paradise! (;
I love the colors of the various flowers and creatures. And how cool — an underwater camera. I’ve been thinking about getting one of those so I can have hubby throw the animals in the pool and I can take their pictures! (Just kidding!) There’s not a swimmer in the bunch. (They can all swim because they’ve fallen in the pool before. They just don’t like it!) I’m so sorry to hear about your foot and I hope that you’re mending quickly.
Laughing! Underwater photos of kids would be cool though!
Been meaning to comment on this, Cuz, but, as you know, traveling sometimes hands us challenges when it comes to communicating. Loved the photos, Cindy. Water lilies are some of my favorite things… along with wandering cousins ! Safe travels and enjoyl Big Hug !
Great to hear from you and fully understand traveling and communication problems! Happy travels!
Mr. Bird looks quite regal or snooty!
Bit of an attitude eh!
Amazing photos with great underwater shots, must be quite an experience. Hope your wound heals soon.
I so wanted to practice more, but looks like it is not to be. The infection is not co-operating~
Lovely images 🙂
So glad you enjoyed & cheers~
I have no idea where that is, Cindy, but it looks like somebody’s idyll (aside from the infected cut!) Hope it heals soon 🙂
Now we are in Huahine which is even more paradisical, but there is still the coral cuts!!! lol~
Hi Cindy. You certainly go to places I shall never see. Not really a traveller. But I would like to see some paranormal sites. In particular The Battlefields of Gettysburg. Thank you very much for liking my poem ‘ A Dark Shadow Stood!’ And for your great comment. Peace and Best Wishes. The Foureyed Poet.
You are welcome and Gettysburg and especially Antietam are definitely worth visiting.
Pictures are awesome! It looks you have wonderful vacation! Enjoy!
Thank you! We are in Huahine now and it is even more beautiful with postcard beaches that I can’t swim in due to a coral cut. Still beautiful to look at~
Gorgeous!.. Beautiful in every shape and in each angle! All the best to you Cindy!. Happy weekend ahead!, Aquileana 😀
This is paradise and am sending good vibes that the coral cut heals soon.
Beautiful! And some lovely and unique wildlife in a wonderful environment!
What a beautiful place, thanks for introducing it!
Beautiful photos ~ something about the fish in the water: the color & sheen, makes me want to go swimming… Wonderful place.
Your kind generosity is not going un-noticed! Thank you~
Have a lovely week Cindy. 🙂
You too my friend!
🙂
Your photography is simply beautiful and thanks for the follow as I will do likewise.
Pleased to meet you & cheers to you~
WOW, you are liven’ la vita loca my dear. Gorgeous and interesting at every turn. Sorry to hear of your injury, hope you’re healing well. Don’t forget to send me your mailing info for “12 days of an Aqua Christmas”. If you’d rather not participate, I totally understand and will pick another name. Just let me know. Cheers my dear.
Oh dear , I did forget! So sorry. I am traveling, so maybe you best give it to someone else! Thank you so much for thinking of me though!
Oh, Cindy, if I didn’t like you so much, I’d hate you! Such beauty in your photos!! I am green!
Well I am very happy we are friends! <3 <3
Me, too!
You know how to enjoy life Cindy and capture the memories.
Thanks for sharing them.
Visa versa 2 U X 2! <3
I hope your infected coral cut is better soon, it sounds nasty and must be quite a disappointment that your underwater photography is shelved for the time being!
Thanks much. I am bummed that I couldn’t practice underwater, but I will not whine about it. It could always be so much worse. Thank you for your concern. <3
You’re welcome. glad you’re on the mend – hopefully you can create another underwater adventure, without those pesky corals!
<3
All these photos r works of art..just stunningly amazing..perfect in every way..I’m in love 4/all of em!!!
Well how wonderful you just made me feel. Thank you for your kindness~
Beautiful!
Mil grazi~
Your photography never stop to amaze me 🙂
Well you lovely comment motivates me to keep on clicking! Thank you~
I hope it does, You gets lots of praise on here so i don’t think mine matters that much 😛 🙂
Not even a little bit true. Your comments/thoughts matters very much to me! <3
Pingback: Flora Fauna – Nature Wallpaper Site
Thank you დ