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-- Seafriends home --  Niue index --Rev 20051203,

0507006 new coconuts are now growing on hard-hit trees. Cyclone Heta blew trees down stripping them from their leaves and nuts, particularly in the coastal zone,  but many are recovering.

0507105 Niue derives its name from the coconut tree. Niue has no open beaches bordered by coconut trees, so a photo of an isolated coconut tree by the sea is difficult to arrange.

0507140 coconuts are still economically important. Once Niue exported copra but no longer. As a result, there are now more trees than required. Good for the coconut crab who eats the rotten fruit.

0507008 for some trees, recovery is problematic. These trees survived many cyclones but some show that Heta was exceptional. This shows the recovery after 18 months.

f223202:this rock destroyed a house. For it to be moved, water must flow faster than 30 km/h on this plateau raised 30m above the sea.

: 0507031:a little house gecko visits a bar. The life of a young one is risky. Exploring the taste of beer, it actually became drunk.

0507033:no larger than one inch (25mm) it did taste the beer and became unsteady. Here it is seen staggering along.

0507046:young nonu fruit. Nonu fruit grows all year round, which promises a steady supply for the nonu juice factory, but the wild fruit remains sparse on the dense forest floor.

0507014: coconut sunset.

0507163: sunset in paradise. Because Niue is a steep rock without beaches, photos of sunsets over coconut trees on beaches are not possible.

0507057: sunset behind a niu leaf. Niue is the word for cocount tree.

0507064: sunset at Avatele. This bare tree did not survive the storm and died a year later.

f223127: the sun sets on Washaway Cafe, which survived Cyclone Heta because of its more sheltered loaction.

f223132:patrons inside the Washaway Cafe. This is a favoured spot for socialising in the weekend evenings.

f223130:outrigger canoe in the sunset. Avatele lagoon has the only 'beach' on the island.

0507363:the Crazy Uga is also a washaway cafe, with splendid views but located at a dangerous spot.

f222921:raising-of-the-flag ceremony at Government House, in the early morning.

f222916: the flag is raised while the national anthem is sung and hailed by loudhailer.

0507082:the container transporter is a recent Niuean invention and already indispensable.

0507083:the see-saw container transporter lifts and hangs a container in between its forked cradle.

0507111:by tipping its cradle, a container can be lifted one side at a time.

0507085: the Capitaine Féarn unloading in the early morning.

0507092:watching the unloading from Tomb Point is is done by many.

0507193:a vanilla plantation with vines strung over live tree frames.

0507195: a vanilla vine. Here the tree frame has been pruned to allow sunshine through on the vines.

0507198: vanilla is an orchid, here shown with one of its covering petals removed. The flower grows a long pod which is dried when ripe.

0507304: Mark Cross is a celebrated painter and photographer. Here he shows a panorama of Limu Pools during a charity sale for cyclone sufferers elsewhere.

0507324: a rugby match is a national affair. In the background the cameras of Niue's local TV station.

0507321: Niue (blue/yellow) vs New Caledonia (red/white) on the school ground.

0507328: the whole island turns up

0507327: this has to be a score. The French lose.

0507329: song and music rate highly in Niue, wherever people meet.

0507336: large pawpaw (papaya) tree pruned by cyclones. Pawpaw was long conisdered poor-men's food.

0507493: unloading the fish catch into a truck. Boats need to be small enough to be hauled out before storms.

0507492: unloading the fish catch, most of which is large tuna.

0507496: various species of tuna: yellowfin, albacore, skipjack. Also wahoo, dolphinfish and billfish.

0507498: not bad for a day's fishing. Tuna like these fetch a good price on world markets, justifying their transport by plane.

0507499: Niue's fishing fleet can be hoisted out of the sea. Boats also need to be large enough to go out to the edge of the continental shelf, no mean feat.

0507505: a 'Super Alia' out of the water for repair. Essentially two aluminium canoes joined together and powered by two 40hp outboard motors.

f223010: a woman gleaning the reef with an axe. The reef still provides for sustenance, even though the work is time consuming.

f223011: gleaning the reef for sustenance. Where waves roll in all year, the reefs are essentially protected by nature.

f223019: reef gleaning may change the environment. It may also affect the growth rate of these reefs.

0507207: a fully restored sea track leads to a apot where canoes can be launched with some difficulty.

0507219: Hikutavake sea track leads to an interesting reef flat with much sea life.

0507368: Misa has friends in high places. Misa is the forest ecologist of Niue.

0507375: a young fruit bat meeting a friendly stranger. These bats have long nails that hurt a little when holding it like this.

0507379: young fruit bat prefers human company after Cyclone Heta. They are intelligent creatures.

0507383: young male fruit bat. These bats can grow rather large. They are called 'flying dogs' in other countries.

0507388: native wood pigeon. A number of wood pigeons have chosen to stay with Misa after Cyclone Heta.

0507421: Misa's ecological forest tour is full of surprises.

0507476: making fire with wood from the fou tree (a hibiscus). A chisel pointed stick is rubbed fiercely over a broad anvil, while heaping glowing cinders up on one end.

0507481: Misa makes fire in less than a minute

f222925: sea track towards the Matapa chasm

f222928: safe swimming in the Matapa chasm where cool fresh water enters from many springs in this steep valley.

f223214: the rough track to Talava cave and arches.

f222930: sea cave leading to the Talava arches.

f223203: sink hole at Talava with a curtain of dripstone.

f222933: Talava sea cave

f223206: Talava arches are impressive. A bridge with two arches in front and another one in the distance.

f223206: Talava arches are impressive, dwarfing visitors.

f223005: the Hio sea track covers many bridges.

f223024: sea track to Palaha cave makes a sudden turn to disappear into a small hole.

f223026: Palaha sea cave is large and beautiful

f223104: looking into Palaha cave. Notice its size relative to the human figure.

f223107: Palaha cave

f223111: Palaha cave is large and deep. Spot the human figure?

f223118: pools in Palaha cave

f223216: whale spotting from the high terrace

f223221: adventurous roads through dense coastal vegetation

f223226: Tautu sea cave gives easy access to the reef flats

f046311: snorkelling in ultra clear water is a dizzying experience.

0507186: sea urchins can inflict painful stings. The local cure is to pee on it as the stings come out by themselves and their black patches disappear.

0507121: the fringing reef flat with rock pools at Amanau, opposite the fish factory.

0507182: large spiders spinning large orbs, at times spanning across an entire road.

0507183: a beautiful feathery moth

0507403: one of Niue's pretty moths

0507402: house geckos own the ceilings at night and their antics are fun to watch.

0507405: a gecko flees with its prey. Sme evenings bring more moths than an army of geckos can eat.

0507530: land crabs can live in the attic and are active by day and night. This is a large male with potent nipers. (Geograpsus grayi)

0507098: one of Niue's native plants

0507101: the purple lily has little white flowers

0507409: orchids thrive in tropical Niue

0507411: red orchids in a garden

0507417: giant forest taro serves as emergency food in long droughts.

0507436: large fungi on a tree stem

0507466: fungi on a rotting log

f223034: christmas tree flowers in July

f223220: coastal saltspray vegetation

f047224: a sea snake slowly wending its way to the surface for a deep breath.

f047316: a gathering of sea snakes at 10m depth.

f047009: detail of a rare crested jellyfish (Cephea sp.)

f047010: crested jellyfish (Cephea sp.)

f047012: crested jellyfish (Cephea sp.)

f046312: a branching pink stylophora coral has survived cyclone Heta in shallow water

f046531: detail of a Porites coral shows transparent polyps with brown algal cells in their tissues

f046532:super-macro detail of the same Porites coral polyps

f046709: one year's growth of a brown-purple encrusting coral (Montipora sp.)

f046710: detail shows widely spaced polyps of Montipora.

f047021: detail of a star coral

f047023: mushroom coral is not attached (bottom side)

f047024:mushroom coral (Fungia fungites) top side

f047516: slipper coral lives detached from the rock (Fungia sp)

f047517: bottom side of slipper coral is mushroom like

f046821: long polyps of a leathery coral (Sarcophyton sp)

f046823: tentacles of a leathery coral (Sarcophyton sp) can snap shut

f046824: closeup of coral tentacles

f046825: closeup of a brain coral ()

f046826: closeup of brain coral ()

f046828: leathery corals with long polyps (Sarcophyton trocheliophorum)

f046830: detail of polyps. (Sarcophyton trocheliophorum)

f046833: super closeup of small polyps

f046523: super closeup of a coral with very small transparent polyps

f047522: enlarged detail of an acropora coral species (Pocillopora verrucosa)

f047525: closeup of coral polyps

f047606:detail of a pink table coral (Acropora hyancinthus)

f047607:an Acropora antler coral (Acropora grandis?)

f047612: a spiralling leaf coral (Pachyseris speciosa)

f047613: detail of spiralling leaf coral (Pachyseris speciosa)

f047615: a fast growing branching acropora coral

f047622: detail of white Acropora plate coral (Acropora hyancinthus)

f047631: an intriguing coral polyp pattern of a leaf coral (Pavona minuta)

f047632: a cascade of leathery corals (Sarcophyton trocheliophorum)

f047003: large bluefin trevally (Caranx melampygus). These fish can gro 30 years old and large and colourful.

f047709: young bigeye trevallies (Caranx sexfaciatus)

f046324: black lined convict tangs (Acanthurus triostegus) browsing algae in shallow water

f046323: yellowfin goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis) and convict tangs  (Acanthurus triostegus)

f046330: white spotted surf tang (Acanthurus guttatus) groups are becoming large

f046908: sleeping surf tang (Acanthurus guttatus) has turned its yellow tail white

f047123: unidentified surgeonfish

f047124: Pacific sailfin tang (Zebrasoma veliferum)

f047419: beautifully painted brown tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus?)

f047907: lined bristletooth (Ctenochaetus striatus). Bristletooths belong to the surgeonfishes.

f047512: these large grey unicornfish have two colour forms but no horns (Naso caesius). They can change colour.

f047903: blue-striped sugeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus). One of the most beautiful tangs is very shy.

f047906: blue-striped surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus)

f047918: velvet-skinned Achilles tang (Acanthurus achilles)

f046407: a peppered squirrelfish by night (Sargocentron punctatissimum). Sea urchin: Echinometra mathaei

f046509: a cook's reef-flat cardinalfish by day (Apogon cookii)

f047105: beautiful tiger cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus macrodon)

f046537: a beautiful south seas devil (Chrysiptera taupou) in a rock pool. This is a damselfish.

f046713: a spotfin silver squirrel fish  (Neoniphon sammara)

f046715:epaulette soldierfish with dark band  (Myripristis kuntee)

f046716:epaulette soldierfish in a cave (Myripristis kuntee)

f047116:blotched big-eye (Heteropriacanthus cruentatus)

f046724:female emperor angelfish  (Pomacanthus emperator)

f046728: male emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus emperator). It has a territory and is inquisitive.

f047132: beautifully painted black yellowsnouted butterflyfish (Chaetodon flavirostris)

f047936: dot & dash butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis)

f047014: very longnose butterflyfish(Forcipiger longirostris)

f047934: some coralfish pair up for life like these fourspot butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus)

f047716: the peacock flounder is so well camouflaged as to be almost invisible (Bothus mancus)

f047718: peacock flounder (Bothus mancus)

f047136: clearfin lionfish  (Pterois radiata). This lionfish is usually seen at night.

f047324: adult common lionfish (Pterois volitans). These fish like steep drop-offs and caves.

f047326: red lionfish adult  (Pterois volitans)

f047807: lionfish inside a dark cave (Pterois volitans)

f047808: lionfish are common in Niue (Pterois volitans)

f047536: large devil scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) is well camouflaged

f047537: closeup of large devil scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus)

f047735: well camouflaged large blotched lizardfish (Saurida nebulosa)

f047733: a lizardfish is a fierce predator (Saurida nebulosa)

f047734: a large camouflaged lizardfish waiting in ambush (Saurida nebulosa)

f047005: smalltooth jobfish (Aphareus furca) has a forked tail and large mouth.

f047018: ring-eyed hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) hiding in a branched coral (Pocillopora eydouxi)

f047628: ring-eyed hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) emerging from its hiding place

f047027: strawberry grouper (Cephalopholis spiloparaea) is very shy

f047028: three species of demoiselle (Chromis sp)

f046904: sleeping star-eye parrotfish (Calotomis carolinus) has black spotted pyjamas

f046906: detail of sleeping parrotfish (Calotomis carolinus)

f047913: a large sleeping redlipped parrotfish (Scarus ubroviolaceus)

f047915: detail of large parrotfish (Scarus sp)

f047922: sleeping red-lip parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus)

f047932: sleeping red-lip parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus)

f046917: sleeping marbled hawk fish (Cirrhitus pinnulatus)

f046918: hawkfish have brushes on their dorsal fins  (Cirrhitus pinnulatus)

f046936: commando porcupine fish (Diodon liturosus)

f047820: a clown triggerfish (Ballistoides conspicillum)

f047116: blotched big-eye  (Priacanthus sp?)

f047534: unidentified scalyfin or humbug

f047635: blue-lipped Indian humbug scalyfins (Dascyllus reticulatus)

f047707:a weedy surge wrasse(Halichoeres margaritaceus)

f046515: a well camouflaged pregnant blenny

f047736: a large shallow water blenny

f047825: these reef needlefish have long beaks (Strongylura incisa)

f047413: cornet fish or flutemouth by night (Fistularia commersonii)

f047529: female network pipefish is well camouflaged (Corythoichthys flavofasciatus)

f047531: closeup of female pipefish (Corythoichthys flavofasciatus). It is surprising to find these in the wild waters of Niue.

f047532: male pipefish has a pouch full of eggs under its body (Corythoichthys flavofasciatus)

f046505: a baby white-eyed moray eel (Siderea thyrsoidea). This species does not grow large.

f046506: a large peppered moray eel (Siderea picta) living in a rock pool

f046734: white-mouth moray (Gymnothorax meleagris) has white spots. It is common.

f046736: mature white-mouthed moray eel (Gymnothorax meleagris)

f047414: yellow-headed banded moray eel (Gymnothorax rueppelliae)

f047416: yellow-headed moray eel about to snap up an unsuspecting fish

f047427: a bent-jaw moray eel (Enchelicore schismatorhynchus) looks rather threatening but is usually very shy.

f047503: colossal green giant moray eel dwarfs its 7cm cleanerfish. This one is unusually large, about a man's torso in girth. (Gymnothorax javanicus)

f047528: closeup of giant green moray (Gymnothorax javanicus). It can grow 2.5m long with a 30cm diameter but this one is larger still.

0507279: a tiny crab surviving above water ()

0507281: tiny crab ()

0507283: closeup of tiny crab ()

f046429: crabs often live in tight quarters above and below water (Planes sp?)

f046517: a female shore crab (Plagusia depressa tuberculata?) taking a defensive pose

f046519: female shore crab (Plagusia depressa tuberculata? is well camouflaged

f046518: green coloured weak-shelled shore crab  (Grapsus grapsus tenuicrustatus?)

f046522: green coloured weak-shelled shore crab has sharp spikes on its claws

f046526: unidentified small yellow crab. Sponge crab (Dromia erythropus?)

f046527: yellow crab has black nippers and yellow bristles

f047910: this large splendid coral crab (Etisus splendidus) is a delicacy in Niue

f047912: large splendid coral crab (Etisus splendidus) comes out at night in shallow water.

f047925: large spotted crab is a delicacy (tutu) (Carpilius  maculatus)

f046408: the white-lined green crayfish  has very long feelers and mustache (Panulirus panversicolor)

f046410: detail of the white-lined cray (Panulirus panversicolor). Long feelers but short body.

f047118: the green crayfish (Panulirus  marginatus) is much sought after (uo)

f047120: closeup of the green crayfish (uo) (Panulirus marginatus)

f046931: slipper lobster out at night (tapatapa) (Scyllarides squammosus) or Paribacus sp?

f046425: the large-eyed hermit crab (Dardanus gemmatus) collects anemones on its shell

f047114: large-eyed hermit crab with anemones (Dardanus pedunculatus?)

f046611: stalk-eyed hermit crab with purple knees (Dardanus lagopodes)

f047514: purple knee hermit in a circular saw top shell (Dardanus lagopodes)

f046722: brown hermit with green knees and very long eyes (Aniculus retipes?)

f046921: hermit crab (?) by night

f046933: letterbox hermit (?) slides through a narrow cowrie slit

f046529: banded cleaning shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) in a rock pool

f047100: a red cleaner shrimp (?) outside its cave

f047920: red cleaner shrimps

f047103: marble humpback shrimp with bristles (Saron sp.)

f047405: a marble humpback shrimp with bristles (Saron sp.)

f047437: a red cleaner shrimp (?)

f046401: a common sea cucumber (Stichopus horrens), well camouflaged

f047904: a baby sea cucumber at night (Stichopus horrens)

f047508: a very large sea cucumber of 40cm length. (Thelenota anax)

f047509: front end of a very large sea cucumber (Thelenota anax)

f047510: rear end of a very large sea cucumber, the largest known (Thelenota anax)

f046404: small needle urchins are a menace to night divers. Their stings cause a burning sensation.

f046405: sea urchins are industrious burrowers, digging big holes in the rock

f047019: rivers of coral sand flowing from urchin burrows. This amount was made in 6 months.

f046412: a harmonica sea cucumber (Opheodesma sp.) with its sticky tentacles

f046616: erect pose of a harmonica sea cucumber by night (Opheodesma sp)

f046413: most featherstars come out at night like this white one

f046415: many sea urchins have various types of spines and colours (Echinothrix calamaris)

f046417: this white-spined urchin nibbles algae from the rock (Echinothrix calamaris)

f046605: detail of sea urchin with coarse and fine needle spines (Echinothrix calamaris)

f046903: detail of sea  urchin (Echinothrix calamaris)

f047110: colourful hollow-spined needle urchin ()

f047431: grey long-spined needle urchin (Diadema setosum)

f047403: sea urchins provide protection for fish and crustaceans like this humpback shrimp (Saron sp).

f046629: short spined urchin has collected items on its back (Tripneustes gratilla)

f046630: short spined urchin has long tube feet (Tripneustes gratilla)

f046631: short spined urchin has tube feet with three colours (Tripneustes gratilla)

f046632: detail of long tube feet and a field of short purple pedicellaria (Tripneustes gratilla)

f046633: star shaped field of purple pedicellaria (Tripneustes gratilla)

f046919: stubby pencil urchin has very long tubefeet (Eucidaris metularia)

f046924: the toxic urchin has flowerlike pedicellaria that sting

f046925:closeup of toxic flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus)

f046926: super closeup of pedicellaria and tubefeet

f046607: this sturdy featherstar is out by day and night

f046609: detail of sturdy featherstar. It may well live from sunlight in symbiosis with plant cells. (?)

f047115: young yellow featherstar (?)

f047407: we literally caught this featherstar happily swimming in the open

f047423: a large five-armed star (Mithrodia sp)

f047425: a hand shows size of a large sea star (Mithrodia sp)

f047435: a fiery red serpent star (Leiaster speciosus)

f046403: an orange cowrie (Lyncina sp?), half covered by its fluffy mantle

f046406: a common cowrie (Cyprea sp.) of the algal flats

f047107: a beautiful cowrie (Cyprea sp.) at night

f046700: a tiger cowrie  (Cypraea tigris) is easy to find and very common

f046702: tiger cowries can grow to 10 cm (Cypraea tigris)

f046911: a salmon coloured cowrie half covered by its mantle (Luria isabella isabella)

f047428: beautiful cowrie exposed

f046622: common white cone shell (Conus sp) is very small

f046626: yellow lined cone shell (Conus sp) by night

f046627: mud whelk (Nassarius papillosus) prowling by night. This species burrows in sand by day.

f047109: the sturdy grazing snail of the coral flats. Watch out for its spines, as it is easily stood on. (Muricanthus sp?)

f047231: a large trumpet whelk is beautifully patterned (Cymatium tritonis) (Charonia tritonis)

f047233: the patterned opening of a trumpet whelk (Cymatium tritonis)

f047236: a diver holds up a large trumpet whelk  (Cymatium tritonis)

f047433: a circular saw top shell covered in pink paint (?)

f047625: scorpion conch (Lambis chiragra chiragra)

f047626: scorpion conch salmon pattern inside

f047029: a large giant clam (Tridacna sp)

f046805: colourful giant clam (Tridacna sp)

f046806: detail of colourful giant clam

f047313: purple-plipped giant clam (Tridacna sp)

f047800: a metallic blue giant clam

f047802: detail of giant clam's blue mantle

f047803: giant clam with coffee coloured mantle

f046419: the local octopus is well camouflaged

f046424: detail of the octopus eye and jet pipe

f047335: well camouflaged young octopus

f047436: Bonellia is a very long sea slug living in a small hole

f046927: a very long worm out at night. Top left its head and bottom right its still knotted rear end (Baseodiscus hemprichii)

f047030: grapeweed has running roots. (Caulerpa sp.)

f047507: short seaweeds with running roots can thrive in Niue

f047212: red calcareous seaweeds inside a dark cave. These form calcareous reefs.

f047515: a hardy, slow growing green seaweed (Halimeda sp.)

0507227: halimeda and grapeweed in the most exposed zone

0507277: pink rubber weed in a rock pool

f047217: grazing surgeonfish above pink paint coralline algae on which green thread algae grow.

f047229: all polyps withdraw after touching only one on this leathery coral. The white one has its polyps withdrawn. (Cladiella australis)

f047304: a recovering wonderland of corals and fish

f047311:surgeonfish, parrotfish and pink anthias

f047312:many species of demoiselle have claimed the recovering reef

f047315:coral, pink algae and a deep blue sea

f047331:massive corals recovering (Platygyra lamellina)

f047600: coral gardens recovering near the Matavai resort

f047601: fleshy corals and hard corals recovering fast

f047603: white corals in a coral garden

0507289: the coral flats near Hikutavake are an excellent study area because their village has so few people to exploit it.

0507228: the very exposed outer reef flat is dominated by pink paint, tunneled through by small black urchins.

0507243: pock-marked outer reef flat. Here the reef is growing outward.

0507237: pock-marked by sea urchin burrows, the reefs hide their life well

0507240: the common grazing periwinkle is sought after for food

0507241: one of the hardiest grazers of the reef flat

0507242: a grazing chiton is rather rare.

0507248: a beautiful hermit crab (Aniculus sp) in a large periwinkle

0507252: closeup of hermit crab (Aniculus sp)

0507255: a large sea cucumber is not moved by the wavewash (Bohadschia paradoxa?)

0507257: a patterned cone shell of the reef flats (Conus sp.)

0507262: a beautiful blue legged hermit crab (Calcinus elegans)

0507265: detail of blue legged hermit (Calcinus elegans)

0507269: strange limpets with yellow foot

0507273: the spiky grazer of the flat has a beautiful interior

0507275: a cone shell raiding an egg capsule

0507288: parrotfish scrape marks on the coral rock. Parrotfish live from the thin soup inside coral rock.

0507124: a weak-shelled shore crab (Grapsus grapsus tenuicrustatus) hanging from the ceiling of a cave

0507125: weak-shelled shore crabs moult both in and out of the sea

0507356: longlegged landcrab (Discoplax longipes)

0507359: longlegged land crab on the road (Discoplax longipes)

0507360: mug shot of longlegged land crab

0507362: back view of longlegged land crab

0507423: the way to hold an uga by its four long legs

0507428: uga do not normally climb trees (Birgus latro)

0507429: mug shot of an uga

0507434: male uga have very small parapodia under their bodies, seen in the centre of the photo.

0507517: this land hermit which is not an uga, is still carrying a shell

0507518: young land hermit with protective shell

0507520: young land hermit with protective shell

0507535: feisty land crab (Geograpsus grayi)

0507541: male land crab brandishing its nippers (Geograpsus grayi)

z0507315: Photography by Dr J Floor Anthoni, floor@seafriends.org.nz

The images shown here are available in a slide show of screen-size 800x600 pixels, as well as over 1600 other images of the sea in several slideshows. Order your own copy for many weeks of learning and entertainment. Become a knowledgeable and effective conservationist. Support Seafriends!