Finally, a Great Dive

[MaxBottomtime]

The swell models were wrong again. It was supposed to be calm today but we had four foot swells at six seconds interval. The surface water was green and I was anticipating another poor dive. I was downright giddy as I saw the sand ripples and reef come into view from high above. Kevin Lee and I dived this same reef two weeks ago and could barely see five feet. It was close to twenty-five feet today.

I decided to call this spot Halfway Reef. It's between Kevin's Reef and Merry's Reef and it sounds better than Kevin's Reef North. Not only is it a great reef to dive but we saw things we haven't seen in a long time and one animal we have never seen.

A large six inch feather duster worm waved in the surge as I swam along the west side of the reef. I approached slowly so I could get a photo or two before it closed up. Not only did I get a dozen shots but Kevin spent a long time firing away as well. I finally saw it close during our second dive but it opened again within thirty seconds.

We also found twenty-one species of nudibranchs, more than we've ever found in one day.

As I ascended from the first dive I spotted a thirty feet siphonophore. It took me a few moments to get Kevin's attention but once he saw it his strobes began flashing away.

The photos from these dives can be viewed at Latest SoCal Dives

 

[Divebum Don]

When I read a 30' feet siphonophore, I had to look again, Haa! ...though they do get to 100' I hear. Nice huge feather duster! and 21 Nudis, Wow! ;~)

 

[drrich2]

Glad you guys had good diving. Ah, the seasoned scuba diver perspective - on seeing a large, stinging organism with them in cold water with 25 foot viz....COOOOOOLLL...let's take pictures!

Richard.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

It's so rare to see 25 feet around here that I would have taken macro shots of a shark's teeth if it held still enough. You should see us when there are actually jelly swarms here. We take turns jumping in miles offshore hanging from a liftbag while drifting with the current, hoping that the person left on the boat has no mechanical issues or loses us in the fog. Drifting into the shipping lanes presents a whole new level of fun.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

When I read a 30' feet siphonophore, I had to look again, Haa! ...though they do get to 100' I hear. Nice huge feather duster! and 21 Nudis, Wow! ;~)

When I spied it I thought it was a bare kelp stipe. As it got closer I thought it was a line from an abandoned lobster trap. Once I saw the various parts I knew what it was. I thought about dragging it down to Kevin but my spg was screaming at me to get outta there.

 

[aquacat8]

Oh beautiful photos!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Thank you. It's amazing how well the camera works when it can actually see.