Monterey conditions. (let's keep it going )

[UWPhotoKeith]

Dove Monterey Bay this weekend finishing up Tec 45. Today was Ballbuster, sea started out very calm and little wind and ended with larger long period swell with a bit of noticeable surge at 100'. Vis was a clear 20+ on the bottom. Water temp both days was a balmy 56. From the day before to today looked like conditions were improving underwater generally, of course that does not mean tomorrow will be any better. ;-)

Highlights were completing Tech 45 and meeting two really nice rebreather divers from Sweden on the boat.

Uploaded video from the last dive of the day on Ballbuster: https://vimeo.com/115614888

 

[Ongrade]

Did my first spear fishing trip yesterday. Down near Midway point. Incredible conditions, maybe 2-3' swells, 50'+ visibility. Lots of whales heading south blowing, had a young seal that wanted me to give up a nice Ling for his lunch. All around fantastic day, a reminder of why even cold water diving is fun.

 

[broadreach]

Two great dives today with Mubin. It was a beautiful day to dive with very calm seas, but also big tide swings (about 6 foot high tide around 9:30 AM and -1 foot at 4:30 PM).
We also saw lots of whale spouts from shore before and after our first dive at Butterfly House. There was also an otter passing through and a harbor seal that came by to say hi on our surface swim out.
Visibility was still quite good, but slightly less than Thursday. I'd say ~45 feet.

For the second dive we headed to North Monastery. Viz there was a bit less but still ranging from 30 to 40 feet. There was an incredible amount of fish, including the usual rock fish in the kelp and also several very large lings and cabezons. It seems that the smart fish (those that get to be so large) know where to hang out to not get speared.

 

[griffon]

We had a nice night dive last night 1/6 at north monastery. Perfectly on top and a nice full moon. At depth it was very calm, vis was about 30ft. There was quite a bit of particulates stored up though (nasty back scatter).
Pics https://flickr.com/photos/8859561@N08/sets/72157650187249915


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[UWPhotoKeith]

We had a nice night dive last night 1/6 at north monastery. Perfectly on top and a nice full moon. At depth it was very calm, vis was about 30ft. There was quite a bit of particulates stored up though (nasty back scatter).
Pics https://flickr.com/photos/8859561@N08/sets/72157650187249915


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Very nice photos Griffon, I did not see a hint of backscatter!

 

[griffon]

I cheated and used ps to clean um up [emoji28]


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[Jak Crow]

Finally took my new camera in the water.

 

[griffon]

Nice, monastery?


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[raftingtigger]

Mark, That last photo is special.

 

[3D diver]

Mark,

Nice pics. What's that critter in picture 6? I got some video of one last week, but couldn't find it in my "critter" book. I assume a salp-chain or similar colonial critter?