SHARE THE BEAUTY OF BELIZE Island Expeditions' Facebook Photo Sharing Contest
Thanks to everyone that participated in our Share the Beauty of Belize Photo Contest. We had more than 150 entries, and were thrilled to receive so many fun and interesting shots that captured the essence of what makes Belize special. Check out this diverse collection of photos which includes Garifuna drumming, Loggerhead Turtles, underwater caves, Barracudas, Belizean children... and more! If you've traveled to Belize already, we hope that you these pictures bring back some wonderful memories of your adventures. And if you haven't yet made it to Belize, we want these shots to show you the magic that awaits in this Central American gem. FIRST PRIZE WINNER - Henriette Desrosiers We're pleased to announce that first prize goes to Henriette Desrosiers from Jasper, Alberta for her photo entitled ' An Awesome Shot'. Henriette will be receiving our Paradise Islands vacation; a 6 night lodge-to-lodge sea kayaking journey in Belize's Southwater Caye Coral Reef Reserve. All other prizewinners will be contacted by phone and email. This unique and hard to capture shot is taken of two male French Grunts engaged in a territorial kissing display. The two fish are in confrontation, pushing each other on the lips with mouths open wide.
French Grunts - Territorial Kissing Display
Life on a Belize Patch Reef French Grunts are common throughout the areas we snorkel. The Grunts leave the reef shortly after sunset to feed in open sandy, muddy or grassy areas and return to the reef just before sunrise. French Grunts get their name from the sounds they make when grinding their teeth. They use their swim bladders to amplify this sound. French grunts can often be found hovering the cleaning stations found on the coral heads. Cleaner fish such as gobies and cleaner wrasses inhabit the stations. They nibble away at the parasites and dead and infected tissue from the bodies and mouths of the grunts and other 'clients' visiting the station - an interesting symbiotic relationship which benefits both 'cleaners' and 'clients'.