Blue Heron Bridge Trolls

[djtimmy77]

Got to dive the bridge again on Saturday. Saw two Frogfish that we spotted first back in May. The female was all bloated. Took some photos at beginning of dive and then then came back to visit them again at the end. They were just getting ready to mate. Tried to switch over to video as quick as I could and then shot this of them spawning. Still can't really believe I saw them mate!! Did I tell you I love Frogfish?

Striated Frogfish Mating - YouTube

So how long before we have to start looking for wee little froggies?

 

[ConchyJoe]

Awesome Swallowtail..

 

[cocoajoe]

Looks like spotted eel

 

[Biminitwist]

Nice shots. I'd guess a female sailfin blenny from past sightings.
Really love the Chelidonura!
John

 

[jet126]

Conditions this morning viz varied but average 20ft of mostly clean water. There are still a few moonities around but no stingy pieces. Water temp 81 but felt cooler since it was breezy and overcast. Night divers: you may want to throw a sweatshirt in the car for après dive.

 

[WetLens]

Nice two hour + dive this morning with some guidance from Jet126 - many thanks. Nice long slack period, but boy did it get ugly after the turn.

1. Octopus (no kidding... Ideas on species?)
2. Longsnout Seahorse
3. Pipefish (saw two; one was a Whitenose; not sure about this one)
4. Sea Spider
5. Juvy Polka-Dot Batfish (could it be the same one from Monday?)
6. Cratena cf. peregrina
7. Lancer Dragonet

Additional photos from Monday and today: BHB Sep13 - WetLens

 

[Pura Vida Divers]

Hello Everyone,

We have 4 night dives coming up in the next two months. We hope you all can join us.
Our next BHB Night Dive will be Thursday, October 17th. Click the link below for more information.

Blue Heron Bridge Night Dive: October 17th :: Pura Vida Divers

 

[deeper thoughts]

Conditions this morning viz varied but average 20ft of mostly clean water. There are still a few moonities around but no stingy pieces. Water temp 81 but felt cooler since it was breezy and overcast. Night divers: you may want to throw a sweatshirt in the car for après dive.
View attachment 166442 View attachment 166443 View attachment 166444 View attachment 166445

Your seahorse pix are so good you should teach a specialty course!!

 

[jet126]

Your seahorse pix are so good you should teach a specialty course!!

Thank you for your kind words!! Not professional by any stretch and certainly others post better. But as you all know I get lots and lots of practice! (And that's the fun of it).

 

[WetLens]

Got Crabs?

Amazing variety of crabs on last night's dive and this morning.

Saw a few more batfish last night - juvies and an adult. Three nudi species, juvy searobin, seahorse, mantis shrimp, and more, but the highlight was a longarm octopus found swimming in from the shopping carts at the end of this mornings dive. Shot enough stills to make a movie as it poked his head up, came out for a short hunt, then back into his hole. All this while sucking the sides of the tank in... The thought occurred to me, how did anyone shoot at BHB with a film camera? Only 36 shots - hell, I took that many of the octopus alone... Anyway, here's a few more:


Vis was pretty poor today - less than 20' and that's being generous. Had intel on a frogfish, but could not find - not for lack of trying. Amazing how many scorpionfish I found while looking closely at every raggy clump of stuff.

More from last night and this morning at: BHB Sep13 - WetLens