Welcome to Day 21 of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. My theme
is:
'Wildlife Encounters'
Amended version of a 2015 blog post titled Touching the Unicorn
The first time someone mentioned unicornfish I was
intrigued. Unicornfish?
Surely the stuff of legends and fairytales!
Of course the reason for this name is more prosaic. Unicornfish have a protrusion between their eyes, some more obvious than others. I have to confess to feeling somewhat disappointed when I
identified my first unicornfish. Visions of endearing fish in My Little Pony
colours were shattered. Generally drab coloured, it is the ‘horn’ that makes
the unicornfish instantly recognisable rather than its ‘plumage’.
Surely the stuff of legends and fairytales!
Of course the reason for this name is more prosaic. Unicornfish have a protrusion between their eyes, some more obvious than others.
So, I ignored unicornfish in favour of the flamboyant and
flirtatious strumpets of the fish world.
Yet, the unicornfish had something up their metaphoric fishy
sleeves that would knock the others’ behaviour into a cocked hat… their curiosity
of divers and our bubbles.
Pause for any length of time around unicornfish and they’ll
hover above you in your stream of bubbles. There is something enormously
appealing about any wild creature that is willing to interact.
Now, whenever I spotted unicornfish on a dive, I would wait
to see whether they would approach and hang out in my bubbles.
On the last two occasions that I went diving in The Maldives
I enjoyed close encounters with unicornfish.
The first experience was with a unicornfish who stayed put
when I reflexively reached out towards it, allowing my fingers to brush against
its surprisingly velvety skin.
The second experience occurred just last month. A
unicornfish faced me head on. We looked at each other. I reached out and to my
astonishment it approached and touched the tip of my finger with its soft mouth
in what felt like a little kiss.
See you tomorrow – I’m heading south west. Can you guess
where and what the next animal will be?
I reckon you have us all suckered there!! Unicorn fish and all!! Next you'll be telling us about leprechaun fish and zebra shrimps! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou've got to be heading back to Southern Africa to see the vervit monkeys!! :D
Now, now... leprechaun fish indeed! But zebra shrimps and zebra fish, just like the unicornfish, do exist. :)
DeleteAaah... you see, I've extricated the Z confession out of you!! Whooppee!! ;-)
DeleteHah! But will my Z post be about one of them?
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ReplyDeleteI've learned something new again! Great photos, too. I really admire your adventures and must admit I couldn't be able to do the half of stuff you did (diving, for example). It must have been great to experience all that.
ReplyDeleteScuba diving is far and away my favourite sport, Zeljka.
ReplyDeleteI've seen pictures of these fish. Very cool that one *kissed* your finger tips!
ReplyDeleteIt was so unexpected, Bish. Fish don't normally approach like that.
DeleteDiving in the Maldives. Sounds heavenly!
ReplyDeleteSeriously heavenly, Stuart!
DeleteWhat interesting little fish--sort of like tiny narwhals.
ReplyDelete@Kathleen01930
Meet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge
Ha ha - I never thought of them like that, Kathleen!
DeleteLove the name, but no. No bright colours. But it is such an interesting fish, at least from your description.
ReplyDeleteCould Vulture be next on your list?
It's a great name, isn't it? Vulture? Maybe... maybe not... :)
Deleteunicorn fish must be an active fish...I wonder how it eats if it has horn
ReplyDeleteGood question, Jahnavi - the protuberance is high enough on their heads not to interfere with their mouths.
DeleteI think you have made me fall in love with unicornfish. You have just assured they will be in the new book I am writing which has Captain Nemo in it. I will be a gentleman and not hawk its title on your lovely blog. :-) Thanks for your visits and comments on my blog.
ReplyDeleteYour comment has made me very happy, Roland - thank you!
DeleteYou were kissed by a unicorn fish. That's too special and I feel a story coming on. LOL Instead of a frog it's a unicorn fish or merman????
ReplyDeleteYes, a kiss from a unicornfish is a first for me! :)
DeleteNow that's a perfect moment!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was. :)
DeleteOh! How wonderful! I want to meet one! And they are quite an interesting shape... ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
ReplyDeleteThey're fabulous, Liz - and their curiosity in divers is really sweet.
ReplyDeleteA friendly fish - that's awesome! I've never been diving but it looks amazing.
ReplyDelete@WeekendsinMaine
Weekends in Maine
Diving is amazing, Karen - it's also very addictive. :)
DeleteHow fantastic to have one approach you and touch you. I love the description of it giving you a kiss. How marvelous! A whole beautiful world undersea. I'm always delighted to see it through your eyes and mask. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. The underwater world is such an incredible place, it's something I love to share with anyone who cares to listen. :)
DeleteWith all the dangerous animals you've encountered, it must be nice to find some that will politely interact with you.
ReplyDeleteHa ha - yes, I suppose that's true. My unicornfish 'kiss' will always be a delightful memory.
DeleteThat's amazing! You have the best adventures.
ReplyDeleteLaw of averages, Sandra... I've had some gruelling, unpleasant experiences too.
DeleteOh, the kiss of a unicorn! Maybe you have now been granted three wishes.
ReplyDelete@deb_atwood from
Pen In Her Hand
Ha ha - I never thought of that, Deb! I'll make those wishes right now. :)
DeleteDEB - your blog isn't accepting my comments - it keeps popping up with a little box saying 'this email exists in our database'.
DeleteI have never done scuba diving, but the fish I encountered when I was snorkling never wanted to hang around. It would be fun to have one play in your bubbles or kiss your fingers :)
ReplyDeleteTracy (Black Boots, Long Legs)
No, fish don't normally approach which is what makes the unicornfish so special. (Well there are other notable fish that also approach divers, but I'll same them for other blog posts.)
DeleteI'd never heard of a unicornfish. Before I saw your photos I guessed it might be a type of seahorse (well, why not!). It's a whole new world under the waves, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteA whole new world of wonders, Linda. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that they came right up to you. I would love that
ReplyDeleteIt was a fabulous experience, Birgit.
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