Think small.

[Merry]

Weeks of dense phytoplankton near shore have made visibility challenging, but this weekend, zooplankton finally reappeared. Tiny larvaceans, as well as other squiggly larval things, are mopping up the microalgae. Pretty soon I may have to abandon bottom-dwelling Phil for the water column.

Phimochirus californiensis

Juvenile chestnut cowry, Cypraea spadicea

Also a juvenile chestnut cowry with mantle fully extended.

Need ID for these tiny anemones that live on the underside of rocks.

Check out kelp fronds! They're starting to support life other than the ever-present bryozoans. Navanax inermis A young one in its mucous tube.

Navanax eggs

Perhaps a young Heptacarpus franciscanus?

This juvenile Polycera atra hasn't yet developed its full color.

Brilliant color variation of the yellowfin fringehead, Neoclinus stephensae

Yesterday, we left beautiful conditions on Golf Ball Reef for a second dive at Malaga cove. We were on a hunt for Felimare californiensis (formerly Hypselodoris californiensis). Until Mary Goldman found one at 35 feet off Malaga in January, this elegant nudi had all but disappeared from our mainland.

The visibility was as poor as the surface portended, with lively surge to cap it all off. Phil and I each spent over an hour and a half looking for the stunning opisthobranch, but it took Kevin's keen sense to find two of them feeding on a gray sponge.

Felimida macfarlandi on amethyst.

Doriopsilla albopunctata

Calliostoma supragranosum possibly?

 

[TSandM]

Merry, do you ever take a BAD picture? These are stunning, especially the Hypsie -- I'm going to have trouble learning the new name .

Our kelp fronds right now are great fun. They're liberally adorned with tiny Hermissenda crassicornis Nudibranchs, as well as skeleton shrimp, and in the right locations, pea-sized Pacific Spiny lumpsuckers. I really don't know why people swim fast when they dive. There is so much to see if you go slowly and peer at things!

 

[Merry]

I would love to see a spiny lumpsucker. For some reason, it's so exciting to find things living in kelp. Little treasures!

And I have to confess that it took 3 dives, I believe, to get these photos.

 

[FrankPro1]

Wow Merry! Your posts are few and far between when compared to your counterpart, but oh man.... you sure know how to dazzle us. Excellent composition. Especially love your Juvenile chestnut cowry. You've really set the bar for the rest of us.

 

[Merry]

Here's my second confession. That juvenile cowry is a cheap knock-off of one of Kevin's shots. :blush: Latest SoCal Dives - DiverKevin

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

 

[fnfalman]

The baby navanax photo is badass!!!

 

[drbill]

Great pix as always, but you and Phil should come out to Casino Point again where Felimare californiensis sightings have gotten boringly common. Tee hee. Of course it is good to know they are beginning to reappear (or is it just be rediscovered) over off "the Big Island."