I Otter Be Diving

MaxBottomtime · Mar 10, 2012

The swell models predicted 1-2 foot swells this weekend. Once again, they were way off. We had four footers with a short interval pounding us all the way to Marineland. Everywhere we looked we found muddy water. By the time we reached Marineland I had enough "fun" and decided to go home. Along the way we found things to make our day less miserable.
At Pt. Vicente we found five Pacific White Sided dolphins, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens. I hadn't seen any in many years. We remained with them for a few minutes, then continued toward Redondo Beach. About a mile off Vet's we spotted a sea otter. Two have been spotted at Pt. Vicente recently, but this was the first time I had seen an otter south of Morro Bay. We harassed it with Merry's camera for several minutes before heading in to wash the boat. At least we didn't have to fill our tanks and wash gear today.

Bonaparte's Gull, Larus philadelphia

Pacific White Sided dolphins, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens

HiQPen · Mar 10, 2012

Awesome! I had always heard that sea otters were extinct south of Pt. Conception, hopefully they are making a comeback.

MaxBottomtime · Mar 10, 2012

Two were spotted at Vet's on Friday. I don't know if they are the same two from Pt. Vicente or if the one from today was part of that couple, but it's great to see them coming back. Fishermen always complain that the otters will devastate the local resources, but the central coast seems to be a lot more pristine than anything in SoCal. I'd love to see what this place would look like if we left it alone for a few years.

FrankPro1 · Mar 11, 2012

So freaking awesome! Lets hope more take the cue of this small group and come join their brethren. Maybe PV can be free of urchin barrens in a few decades

Charlie and I dove the Point yesterday. Conditions weren't nearly as good as predicted, but we still got in a much needed hour below the waves. Still editing the photos, will post a report later today.

MaxBottomtime · Mar 11, 2012

I downloaded a few more shots of the white sided dolphins from my point & shoot.

Beatlejuice · Mar 12, 2012

WE SAW THE OTTERS TOO!! Last Thursday evening at Vet's! I didn't believe Eduardo when he said they were otters as we were walking down the stairs, but as we got closer it was obvious. As we swam out we got within 20-30 feet of them. Very amazing!!

TSandM · Mar 12, 2012

Love this one! Otters are among my very favorite creatures -- so intelligent and playful.

Rainer · Mar 12, 2012

We saw several of them a few weekends ago up south of Shell Beach. I'd never seen them south of Morro Bay before. Really cool to hear they've come so far south!

Sam Miller III · Mar 12, 2012

RAINER,
You were in Shell Beach a part of Pismo Beach?

We see Otters often from shore, in our kayaks and on occasion on the surface while we are diving

The Otters have been in the area for over 10 years..in Pismo and points south. Since that time all the Pismo Clams have disappeared and a large portion of the rest of the shell fish population- they are "cute" but voracious eaters of shell fish.

sdm

Rainer · Mar 12, 2012

We were there (Shell/Pismo Beach) a few weekends ago on a weekend getaway (no diving, unfortunately). Could see them hunting in the shallows from the cliffs. Of course, I left the telephoto lens at home...

I Otter Be Diving

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