My apologies to all for the quick dive and dash today. I had planned on an early dive and had get home by noon to make it to a Memorial Day picnic. However you know what they say about the best laid plans. But after a great 72 minute dive I was able to get home by and ready to make it to the picnic by 1 with only minor chastising at home. Next weekend I'll have plenty of time to socialize.
The more beach dives I do with Jenny, the more I like them. :10: Today's dive off of SE 8th was the best shore dive I've done to date. I just wish I had brought I my camera - today would have been a macro photographers delight. Even with the jetskis and the parasail boat whizzing around overhead.
After an easy swim out we dropped down to the best close in reef I've seen to date - better than the Datura/Hibiscus reef area (sacrilege!
). A little patchy in spots, but it had great relief and coral heads, with mini swim throughs and holes everywhere.
As I mentioned above, there was tons of macro life all over the reef. Juvenile drums no bigger than a thumbnail; little neon blue gobies playing on coral; hermit crabs; a conch that appeared to be eating a small clam, and a black, slug-like thing that I think I've ID'd in the book as a slimy doris. I also saw the biggest porcupine fish I've ever seen.
I enjoyed watching Jenny play finger chicken with the damselfish protecting it's turf. We also spent some time looking at a coral I haven't seen before. It was a hard coral, but had what appeared to be short hair all over it that shifted in the current. I need to get the Reef Coral Identification book to round out my set.
I can't wait to get back there again.
Joe, thanks for buddying up with me, I look forward to diving with you again. Rick and Angie, nice to see you again, although for the second time it was only briefly. And Jenny and Marvel, as always it was a pleasure.
Marc
