Free sand at the Topaz pilings

And good sand, it is.

Early yesterday, Margaret Webb reported that she relocated her wispy nudi, Cumanotus beaumonti, feeding on Corymorpha nutans at the Topaz pilings. A long-interval swell was stirring up the bottom, but somehow Phil managed to find Margaret's nudi. I tried to get a shot in the sandy surge.






The camera was having a tough time focusing on the thrashing duo, so I moved away to set up focus lock. Turning to re-shoot, I couldn't find the subject again! Lovely.

The next thing I know, Phil finds a tiny Catriona columbiana, which appeared to be feeding on the same Corymorpha hydroid. Still miffed at losing the other subject, I didn't realize that the hydroid was actually another Cumanotus!







This is a great spot for nudi hunters. Doris montereyensis.






It was so dark (at 45 feet!) that I didn't see the egg mass under this crab. I would have worked harder to show the isopods crawling on the eggs.


Bottlenose dolphins

Great pics considering the conditions. Heck, your pics under tough conditions still make mine pale in comparison! One day I might take one worth posting.

Great shots! Love the second dolphin shot. There's something about the sheen and reflectivity of water that just beckons to the photographer's eye. Really dig the Catriona / Cumanotus combo captures as well. Excellent series!