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May 2006 |
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A little while ago, at a nearby beach, I was snorkelling...when a 45-foot octopus attacked me. A death-defying struggle ensued. Flippers flew, snorkels snagged, tentacles tickled, goggles gagged and ten legs thrashed about. The water frothed and threshed as the mighty opponents wrestled. Killer whales fled the area, great white sharks ran (swam?) for cover. A giant-squid was last seen leaving in a puff of ink. Sadly, as is the case with most sea monsters, denizens of the deep, abject shrinkage occurs when exposed to the ravages of fresh unpolluted air. The following photo clearly does not do justice to the majestic pride of the feared South African octopus. Note: the one in the striped speedo is me. The octopus, by now has shrunk about 43 foot and is held in my hand.
Incidentally, the publishing of this
on internet, caused a Japanese TV crew to come out and visit us. |
Here is
Junior as he manipulates a low-flying (very low) eight-armed cephalopod at Cape
Recife.
The end result is difficult to gauge and the picture below shows the victor.
Tracey views this specimen with suspicion...
