15 Sep Lover's Point Cleanup Dive Report.

[wdunne311]

This day started out kind of slow. The plan was to meet at Lover's around 8. I think it might have been said that we'd meet between 8 and 9, but I swear it was be there at lover's point at 8. Anyway... I think we all finally got organized about 830-845. Dove with my buddy chuck for the first dive. We didn't find all that much except for a bottle label, a piece of metal and this big cable that, alas, did not come out of the sea floor. Anyway, we saw a lot of crabs (we were actually pointing out different crabs to each other at the same time at one point.). We saw a few seals (I think startled one). Also got to see a lot of rock fish including a pretty big one that I took a picture of. Cool little dive.



My buddy had to leave after that so I dove with Michelle and Art (that's what your name looks like in the dive log. Sorry if I got it wrong...I'm so bad remembering names ) I think this dive is the one of the first times I've dove with two people who actually swam faster than me. And I'm not making fun of you, Art, but I had to chuckle when you stopped Michelle because you thought you guys had lost me, but I was floating right next to you. Anyway, on this dive we dove in and among the kelp along lover's 3. Michelle was testing out her strobe. Not as much wildlife on this dive. I think your strobe scared them away, Michelle. Saw a cool school of ocean perch (I think that's what they were) and the usual senorita school. I'm always fascinated by schools of senoritas for some reason.

Perch Vid

Senorita Vid


Anyway, right before Michelle and Art surfaced. I saw what looked like a weird fish not moving on the bottom about a foot from my face. It wasn't a fish at all. It was someone's lost weight pouch. Sorry, no picture...guess I got too excited. I dragged it to an open area and tied a streamer to it, then surfaced. We then went in to shore to get a lift bag. I got a little tangled up in eel grass on the way back from raising the pouch, but the air fill card made it worthwhile. It made me want to take a search and recovery class.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11413840@N08/sets/72157602026939198/

Very good day of diving. I think the only thing I could have done without is whoever that was in the speedo at Aquarius. Looked like someone with the initials C.T. I could be wrong though.

 

[sarita75]

Nice report Brad. It was great diving with everyone and having a good time - despite my wetsuit-forgetfulness! Nice to dive with some familiar faces, meet some familiar names and generally have a nice time. Looking forward to seeing some of you in October!!

Oh, Brad - if you want to do a December clean up - that'd work for me. Not sure what your schedule is, if you want to spearhead it, etc. Let us know!

 

[ironworker377]

It was a very nice day indeed. Great report Brad. Me and Michelle seen a ray that had at least an 3'-4' wingspan Then towards the end of the dive we had a chance to enjoy the company of a seal that circled use for a while and kept checking us out. Michelle got pix's and some vid of the our buddy. Glad to report that we did not find much of anything that day but we really had a good dive. Had some problems with mask and it kept fogging up and flooding on second dive and that is why I lost you. Shoot I had to keep up with Michelle

 

[micboucher]

Hey, I thought we were going at a pretty good pace on the way out but after seeing how far we went off course I guess I picked up the pace on the way back to make sure we had enough air. You guys kept up pretty good though.

I agree...it was a great day of diving. I can't believe we finally met Sarah! It was nice to meet all of you and look forward to the next time. Thanks for remembering and getting my bag for me Art! I would have drove off without it for sure.

Awesome pics and videos Brad!

Here are my pics and video of mine and Art's buddy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13636574@N02/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OSRybQdPTY

I'd like to do a cleanup in Dec too! It sounds like it might be difficult to get permission to do it at the wharf but maybe we can find another spot.

 

[sarita75]

Those are great photos Michelle!! How'd the strobe end up working, in your opinion? Your photos seem to have a lack of "scatter" which might be b/c of the strobe. It WAS a gorgeous days and your photos capture that.

I will have to get together my report, although I never took the camera out of the car, so no photos from me. It will be there on the 7th though!!

 

[micboucher]

Thanks Sarah! The strobe was much better but it didn't go off for most of those pics. I think there was plenty of light because we were so shallow. It'll be interesting to see how it works in deeper water at Lobos. I'm looking forward to it!

I was looking at some pics that John Yasaki posted and ran across this on his site. http://online.chabotcollege.edu/jyasaki/info/why_dive.htm. I love how he describes it! Check out his pics too...they're great!

 

[sarita75]

Thanks for the link Michelle - it is great. And his photos are nice as well. Helped me to ID a fish that I saw while out. It was great. Mark had just swum past a rocky formation as I was following. There was a bunch of vegetation on the bottom, and a noticed something dart into it, hiding underneath. I moved around the algae (?) a bit to get "the thing" to come out so I could see it. It, of course, complied and hung out on a rock for a sec before it realized I was too interested in it to keep moving. It appears, if my memory serves me correctly, that it was a cabezon. I love the name (and have for a while), so it was nice to see on in real life as well!

 

[wdunne311]

Definitely like the photos Michelle! And no worries about losing me. I just thought it was entertaining floating next to you, maybe a little below when you're looking around for me and then getting Michelle's attention, only to have her look at you like, what he's right there. Glad you were looking out for me though. And at the end there, I tend to get distracted anyway when I'm either taking pictures or looking at something.

So, Dec for another cleanup? Like a Christmas Cleanup? Hmm, and we donate the proceeds to... does the salvation army take weight belts? I'll think of something... I'll try to remember to chat with the Harbormaster this week about it and possibly get a dive shop involved. I'd like to give a little back to the community while I'm here.