Even a favorite dive site can become too predictable, so it's often good to have a storm re-shape it! 
At Front Beach, Rockport, MA, it appears the nor'easter of last week moved quite a bit of sand around, giving the bottom a fresh look. It carved a passage under a ten-foot boulder, piled tons of sand between others, exposed old mooring chains, moved the reef lines and generally made this nice dive more interesting, if only because it now requires more compass work....
I did a couple long dives, joined for the first by ScubaBoarder, trappist, (so nice to have a buddy who likes a LONG dive....), and then solo on the second, since trappist had other commitments.
The sun was bright, air temp 50 to 60F, seas were calm, water temp was 47F, vis 10-20', max depths and dive times were 22fsw, 102 minutes and 45fsw, 105 minutes.
It was nice to still see some critters this time of year. There were some small schools of pollock swimming by, several sea ravens in various coloration awaiting prey, a few lobsters, including a keeper trappist grabbed, and some moon snails sliding along or burrowing.
Also, thanks to trappist's keen eyes, we may have seen an Atlantic spiny lumpsucker, too! Don't see those very often! Hope he got a pic! (Just saw the pic and it looks like a baby lumpfish perhaps! Still a nice find!)
What a great day!
Pics follow.
Dave C
The bottom was heavily furrowed by the recent storm swells.
Some heavy abandoned mooring chain is now uncovered.
Some rocks had more undercut, attracting more lobsters (and divers like trappist here....).
A brightly colored sea raven laying in wait for prey.
Moon snails were on the prowl.
The end of the day still just as calm as the beginning.
At Front Beach, Rockport, MA, it appears the nor'easter of last week moved quite a bit of sand around, giving the bottom a fresh look. It carved a passage under a ten-foot boulder, piled tons of sand between others, exposed old mooring chains, moved the reef lines and generally made this nice dive more interesting, if only because it now requires more compass work....
I did a couple long dives, joined for the first by ScubaBoarder, trappist, (so nice to have a buddy who likes a LONG dive....
), and then solo on the second, since trappist had other commitments.The sun was bright, air temp 50 to 60F, seas were calm, water temp was 47F, vis 10-20', max depths and dive times were 22fsw, 102 minutes and 45fsw, 105 minutes.
It was nice to still see some critters this time of year. There were some small schools of pollock swimming by, several sea ravens in various coloration awaiting prey, a few lobsters, including a keeper trappist grabbed, and some moon snails sliding along or burrowing.
Also, thanks to trappist's keen eyes, we may have seen an Atlantic spiny lumpsucker, too! Don't see those very often! Hope he got a pic! (Just saw the pic and it looks like a baby lumpfish perhaps! Still a nice find!)
What a great day!
Pics follow.
Dave C
The bottom was heavily furrowed by the recent storm swells.
Some heavy abandoned mooring chain is now uncovered.
Some rocks had more undercut, attracting more lobsters (and divers like trappist here....).
A brightly colored sea raven laying in wait for prey.
Moon snails were on the prowl.
The end of the day still just as calm as the beginning.
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