Blue Heron Bridge Trolls III

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving today. Arrived at 1210 for a 1447 high tide. The park was crowded, but still some parking left. It was a beautiful day weather wise and water wise. Sea temp has risen to 77f, and visibility was 50+ feet. It was the first time since December have not been cold.

Entered early, at 1230 in front of the staircase to drift west over the snorkel trail. Despite it being two hours before the tide there were a lot of people already in the water on scuba and snorkel. Drifted west over trail counting fish along the way. I kind of wrestling a little bit with my camera, because I had it configured differently. Made it some what heavier, and could not quite hold it and the slate for counting fish in the same way I normally do. If you asked me to describe how I do that, I could not tell you it is second nature. So when I have to think about it, it interrupts the status quo of my dive. Still really hadn't ironed it out by the end of dive. I think I have it figured out now. We will see if things improve next week. Anyway, I digress. Did a REEF fish survey of 52 species in 65 minutes (distraction of the camera kept the count down). That makes REEF survey 100 for this year, a little behind from where I was last year. Its always a little slower going in the cooler months. Observed a Whitenose Pipefish, and Chain Pipefish today. Surprised to not see any octopi today, given the amount that were around the other day. Respectively, Chain Pipefish, Scissula similis (maybe), and Whitenose Pipefish

 

[VsubT]

Question for critter ID: any idea what this octopus is eating?

Shot on a night dive at the bridge about a month ago.

My wife found this seahorse on the same dive:

Always a good time at BHB.

Lance

 

[Pipehorse]

@VsubT it looks like the Octopus has a hold of a Striate Bubble. Not sure if its playing or eating. Nice lighting on the seahorse image.

Went to the bridge for diving today. Arrived at 1215 for a 1547 high tide. The park was not crowded when I arrived, by the time I left at 1545 it was crowded. Sea temp was 77f and visibility was similar to yesterday at 50ft.

I like to avoid rush hour traffic as much as possible so I like to leave the park before 1600 on a weekday. Also I have animals at home that like to eat dinner early. Given the blue water from yesterday, I decided to snorkel the trail three hours prior to the tide, and dive two hours prior to the tide. I was not disappointed. Water little green water there was got pushed out just ahead of my movement west as I snorkeled. Did a REEF fish survey while snorkeling of 53 species in 50 minutes. Returned to my truck and suited up for scuba. Entered the westside and stayed there until about 1515. Did another REEF survey on scuba. Of note was a small Searobin I cannot identify. Closest match I can come up with is Bandtail Searobin. But you can see in the image it has a blue spot on its dorsal, which Bandtail Searobins do not possess. Maybe its something they have as juveniles, but I could not find images of another specimen like it. Originally I thought it might be a Scorpionfish but in one image I can see the specialized fin rays like fingers possessed by Searobins. Respectively, Anemone, Phoronopsis Californica, Rainbow Parrots, Searobin, and Searobin.

 

[MrChen]

Wow, that's a cutie!

 

[VsubT]

@VsubT it looks like the Octopus has a hold of a Striate Bubble. Not sure if its playing or eating. Nice lighting on the seahorse image.

Thanks for the ID, was guessing something that previously lived in a shell but had no idea beyond that. Love your posts, really appreciate all of the information you share.

The seahorse was a lot more cooperative after I switched to red on the focus light. Other images from that same dive are here if anyone is interested.

Lance

 

[mattfish]

Of note was a small Searobin I cannot identify. Closest match I can come up with is Bandtail Searobin. But you can see in the image it has a blue spot on its dorsal, which Bandtail Searobins do not possess. Maybe its something they have as juveniles, but I could not find images of another specimen like it. Originally I thought it might be a Scorpionfish but in one image I can see the specialized fin rays like fingers possessed by Searobins.

View attachment 837046

That almost looks like a juvenile flying gurnard

 

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving on Monday and today. Conditions on Monday were excellent 50 feet of vis, and sea temp of 76f. Today vis was 10ft and sea temp was 74f. Park was not crowded either day, but there were still more people on Monday than I would expect for an 0800 high tide on a Monday.

Entered the water both days before 0730 and did a similar route both days. The western end of the snorkel trail and continue west into bryozoan, algae, and gravel patches on the south west side. Did REEF surveys on both days. Best find was today, of two Pugnose Pipefish, unfortunately no images because the camera battery had died. My plan was to dive everyday this week but debating right now whether I should bother or not tomorrow. I can take the low vis, however I don't particularly like the temps stepping backwards. Last few days of diving I did not have the hooded vest on under my wetsuit. But today, I just had a feeling that the temp might had dropped, and I was right. Respectively, Black Hamlet, Channel Flounder, Phoronopsis Californica, and Atlantic Pearl Oyster.

 

[PBcatfish]

Every once in a while, the inlet cam just SE of BHB catches something interesting.

Bull shark?

 

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving today. It was not crowded. Weather was very pleasant. Visibility was at 30ft, and sea temp had returned to 76f. High tide was at 0954.

Entered the water on the westside at 0825. Did the west end of the snorkel trail and drifted west to the area between the boat channel and bridge pilings. Did a REEF survey of 44 species in 60 minutes (I was distracted by photography today, so a lower species count). Most of the action happened the last 40 minutes of the dive, got on nudibranch of genus Doto species unknown, got on a Longsnout Seahorse, got on another species of nudibranch a White Aeolis generally known from colder water in Europe and only recorded one other time on this side of the ocean, at BHB. Came across the biggest Dwarf Frogfish I have ever seen. She was out strolling around in the Green Feather Algae, as opposed to hiding in a Bryozoan Patch like Dwarf Frogfish usually do. Found another pair of Pipefish today, but these were the more common Shortfin Pipefish as opposed to the Pugnose Pipefish of yesterday. Respectively, Bluethroat Pikeblenny, Dwarf Frogfish, Shortfin Pipefish, Sun Dial, White Aeolis, and Dwarf Frogfish Video.

 

[cgills]

White Aeolis

I think this might actually be a Favorinus auritulus-Long Eared Favorinus nudibranch.
The nippled like Rhinohores a dead give away..Normally we find them here in Cayman in shallow hardpan areas. Known to eat other sea slug eggs, their cerata color varies with color of eggs eaten.

Cindy