Oh Hypie Day

Number one on Kevin Lee's Most Wanted nudibranch list was the Hypselodoris californiensis, or the accepted scientific name Felimare californiensis. Craig Hoover told us that he has been finding some at Big Fisherman's Cove while attending the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies at Catalina Island.
The ocean cooperated today as we made the crossing over flat seas with no wind.

We met up with Craig and Gary at the Two Harbors Dive Shop, then got a mooring in Big Fisherman's Cove.



We made a dive along the jetty near the pier, but didn't find anything interesting. I took one shot before turning off my camera for the rest of the dive.



We snorkeled across the cove to check out the south wall. The center of the cove was littered with a leopard shark congregation.









We dropped down and began looking in all the nooks and crannies for a nudibranch. I found a few interesting critters before the excitement began.















I looked over to a large boulder where Gary, Craig and Kevin were filling the water with bubbles. Jackpot! Kevin's life is now complete. Each of us took turns photographing the little guy. I had a hard time getting close enough with my wide angle lens and nine inch dome port. I'm sure everyone else got some great shots.















Back on the boat, everyone was all smiles.



Kevin explains how he locates tiny nudis.



That tiny one today really wore him out. Too much excitement for one day, I guess.

One freaking Hypie and you guys go nuts? For several years I've offered to show Kevin half a dozen or more on one dive here in the dive park. Sheez. Glad Kevin finally got his chance at a shot. Now they've decided it is Felimare californiensis? I guess we can't call it a hypie any more (although I referred to them as Hypsies myself)

Dr. Bill, where about in the Dive Park can one find these suckers? I'm planning on hittin' it this Saturday.

SHARKS! Ack they're going to eat you! Way cool

That is a beautiful nudi too. Thanks for sharing.

Maybe you could help my friend with advice on where to launch his C-Dory too please?
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/440938-best-place-launch-extended-stay-catalina.html

I found one on the shallow end of the SuJack when I was there in September

It was actually quite funny, as I'm bouncing up and down and squealing into my regulator, and trying to get my buddies to come see, and they're looking and shrugging, "What?" One little blue slug just didn't seem to merit that much excitement to them.

Craig was doing the nudibranch dance, and five divers in the same spot stirred up the fine sand enough that nobody got a clear picture. Kevin's shots are at Latest SoCal Dives - Kevin Lee's Photos

Merry is still working on hers, but they are way better than mine.

MaxBottomtime:

Craig was doing the nudibranch dance, and five divers in the same spot stirred up the fine sand enough that nobody got a clear picture. Kevin's shots are at Latest SoCal Dives - Kevin Lee's Photos

Merry is still working on hers, but they are way better than mine.

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If those are not clear shots, my camera is now a doorstop.

Great shots of the leopard sharks. What a sight that must have been.

fnfalman:

Dr. Bill, where about in the Dive Park can one find these suckers? I'm planning on hittin' it this Saturday.

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We found 2 on the SuJac and I found another about 25 yards out and left of the stairs.

I'm going to have to investigate the SueJac this Saturday then.

It's interesting to find nudies at Casino Point's shallower spots. I thought that the water would have been too warm for them.

fnfalman:

I'm going to have to investigate the SueJac this Saturday then.

It's interesting to find nudies at Casino Point's shallower spots. I thought that the water would have been too warm for them.

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Those were the only three nudibranchs we saw all weekend.