Mossman in Cozumel 2013 - Dive Day 7 photos

[Mossman]

So for my last day shooting macro in Cozumel, I begged and begged for Columbia Shallows. After a pic-free dive at Cathedral, I got my wish.

Roughhead Blenny:

 

[pkpowerofone]

I love his headgear - great shot!

 

[Christi]

EXCELLENT SHOT! I've been trying to get a decent picture of one of these for years!

So for my last day shooting macro in Cozumel, I begged and begged for Columbia Shallows. After a pic-free dive at Cathedral, I got my wish.

Roughhead Blenny:

View attachment 158749

 

[Mossman]

I stopped posting last night because I wanted my head to clear and try again in the morning. Unfortunately I'm still stuck. What the heck is this blenny??? It's driving me crazy, I've eliminated the entire Humann/Deloach "Small, Elongated Bottom-Dwellers" chapter unless I'm missing the obvious. What the heck is it???

 

[Mossman]

As far as I can tell, this little bugger is a banded clinging crab. MMM found it and called me over, which required a swim against the current, but I figured she'd only get my attention if it was worth it. This was a really tough shot since it was wedged in its crevice so well, but I didn't feel so bad after seeing the shot in the Humann/DeLoach book.

 

[Mossman]

Another shot of the BCC, slightly less obstructed.

 

[Mossman]

Painted Elysia nudibranch, noted as "rare" in the Humann/DeLoach book, but I saw four on that dive. Naturally, all were located in current.

 

[Mossman]

I stopped posting last night because I wanted my head to clear and try again in the morning. Unfortunately I'm still stuck. What the heck is this blenny??? It's driving me crazy, I've eliminated the entire Humann/Deloach "Small, Elongated Bottom-Dwellers" chapter unless I'm missing the obvious. What the heck is it???

View attachment 158788

My best guess is that it's a secretary blenny out of its hole, but they don't ever come out all the way, do they? Yet it has the tell-tale "whitish streak behind and below eye". I am so confounded!

 

[Mossman]

Secretary blenny in its hole, as it should be!

 

[Mossman]

Lancer dragonet