Blue Heron Bridge Trolls III

[Jaan]

I saw some pics where someone had seen 6 or more eagle rays (a fever!!) ... sounds like it may be worth braving the cold We might try and get out Friday when temperatures climb up to 70 at least

 

[mattfish]

I saw those pics via my buddy who's in the BHB FB group. I almost didn't believe that was at the bridge. I was hoping someone here saw them too.

 

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving today and yesterday. There were a lot of people both days, but not as many as on a weekend in the summer for the same high tide, cooler temps are keeping all the other attendees of the park at bay for the most part. Did the west side both days. It has been four days in a row now, and visibility seems to be getting slightly better with each day. Definitely in the 40ft range today. Sea temp still holding steady at 75f. Did a REEF surveys on both days. Yesterdays survey was # 432 for the year, a new record for me, probably for the REEF database as well.

Yesterdays highlights were a Plumed Scorpion and Fringed Filefish. Todays highlights were a Dwarf Wrasse which is has been observed 60 times out of a 191,000 surveys. Multiple Bumblebee Shrimp, and a Spotfin Jawfish. Sorry no images of the Dwarf Wrasse. Respectively, Fringed Filefish, Plumed Scorpion, Bumblebee Shrimp on a Slate Pencil Urchin, Another Juvenile Lionfish, and Spotfin Jawfish.

 

[scubadada]

Great Fringed Filefish, thanks

 

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving yesterday. Arrived at 0845 for a 1107 high tide, it was not crowded when I arrived. Geared up and entered the westside at 0925 to be the crowd. It was another good visibility day approaching 50ft, sea temp holding steady at 75f. It was a really beautiful day to be underwater with the sun shining the whole time. Despite it being a holiday weekend I only briefly encountered divers for the 2 hours and 40 minutes I spent underwater. Did a REEF fish survey of 53 species in 60 minutes. Observed a Dwarf Frogfish, Lined Seahorse, Bluethroat Pikeblenny, and Bluespotted Cornetfish. You can only see half the frogfish in the image, because I refuse to roust animals out of position just so I can get a good image. Respectively, Phoronopsis Californica, Dwarf Frogfish, Scallop, Seminole Goby, and Atlantic Spadefish.

 

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving today. Arrived at 1040 for a 1220 high tide. The park was not particularly crowded. Visibility decreased from Sunday to about 30ft, with sea temp decreasing one degree to 74f. Entered the west side, skirted the west edge of the snorkel trail, and continued west to algae/bryozoan patches on the west, south the bridge. Did a REEF fish survey of 53 species in sixty minutes. Waiting/hoping for more seahorses to show up. They were plentiful this time last year, I have only observed a few this year so far. Respectively, Juvenile Blue Parrotfish, Polkadot Batfish, Red Lionfish, Shortfin Pipefish, and Contrasting Worm Architecture.

 

[Green Frog]

You’re killing me here. I’m down to 13 days until BHB Day! Great pix as always, my friend.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Had an OK dive today. I am without my camera right now as it is in the shop.. gaah!! Of course I found some ghost shrimp! And at the end of the dive a tiny black seahorse. I saw a bunch of photogs at the beginning of the dive shooting something, but kept my distance. When I found it late in the dive, my buddy pulled out his go pro with video light. It immediately turned its back, a sure sign it is over being flashed at.

 

[Green Frog]

What kind of water temps are you guys experiencing there? 🌡

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

74-75.. probably will go down a couple degrees before it will go back up.