Blue Heron Bridge Trolls III

[MrChen]

And then you STILL have to wash all the gear ...

I'm not complaining, I still had a good 2.5 hour dive. I found the same nudi (several of them) that @Pipehorse found in the sand. I found another squat urchin shrimp. @SubNeo and I picked up a lot of trash. We made the best of it. Better to be in 3-5ft of vis than to be dry on land .

 

[Compressor]

10 foot viz today.

 

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving yesterday and today. Park was more crowded Monday than Tuesday. It seemed like divers were outnumbered by beachgoers. I think mostly spring vacation type tourists. Visibility was 10-15ft on Monday. Visibility opened up today to 25ft, with more blue water moving in. Sea temperature on both days was 76f.

Yesterday entered on the westside, did the westside of the snorkel trail and stayed in the area south of the bridge pilings and north of the channel. Did a REEF Fish Survey of 51 species in 65 minutes. Found two species of crabs I could not identify, four species of nudibranchs I could not identify and one species of Batfish I could not identify. Today I was early to the park. I forgot to bring my mask that has the snorkel attached. So suited up early walked east to the stair case, and entered at 1225 for a 1500 high tide. Finished the dive over on the west side at about 1450. Did a REEF fish survey of 52 species in 65 minutes. Of note was Long Arm Octopus, a species of tunicate Symplegma brakenhielmi and another Batfish I could not identify, but turned out to be Polka-Dot Batfish that does not look like the rest of the Polka-dot Batfish normally found at the bridge. Respectively, Unidentifed Batfish from yesterday, Mouth Brooding Barred Cardinalfish, Mutton Snapper trying to swallow an eel, Seahorse, and Symplegma brakenhielmi (tunicate).

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

looks like a shortnose batfish juvenile

 

[Pipehorse]

Went to the bridge for diving today. Arrived at 0750 for a 0921 high tide. It was a rare day for the bridge. Very few people there, divers or beach goers. Almost no boat traffic. Visibility of 50 feet. Sea temp back down to 74f.

Entered the water on the westside at 0810, exited the water at 1040 (HP Steel 80). Did the western end of the snorkel trail and drifted west. Did a REEF survey of 59 species in 65 minutes (did another on snorkel after the dive). Of note were four Frogfish, five octopus, two species of nudibranch, a species of shrimp or crab I can't identify, a species of squid I can identify, and a great specimen of a Longspine Starsnail (most images have the spines missing). Water was still blue when I finished snorkeling at 1155. Respectively, Tiny Unidentified Shrimp/Crab, Unidentified Squid, Three Froggies Together, and Spiny Starsnail.

 

[MrChen]

Wow, great vis!

 

[Brant Emery]

I was at the bridge on Tuesday also with Scuba Jenny, my first time there. First let me say that Jenny really made the dive easy and very great, guide money well spent, I would highly recommend her for first timers.

Lots of frog fish, several sea horses, and tons of small stuff. I will be going back.

 

[Brant Emery]

To much good stuff for one post. I live in Weeki Wachee, so it is a 5 hour drive for me but I will be making the drive as soon as I can get back in the water post surgery tomorrow.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Hey Brant! good meeting you! Thanks for the kind words! You were fun to dive with, and glad the critters showed up for your camera! Even the reluctant dwarf froggies.. dang they were shy!

 

[MrChen]

I was at the bridge on Tuesday also with Scuba Jenny, my first time there. First let me say that Jenny really made the dive easy and very great, guide money well spent, I would highly recommend her for first timers.

Lots of frog fish, several sea horses, and tons of small stuff. I will be going back.

She's awesome, just don't tell her I said so.