Blue Heron Bridge Trolls

[jet126]

While taking off my fins Kelly spots a man of war (lots) but this one has a large beautiful man of war fish.
As the man of war washed ashore I managed a little surge video but no photos, looking at video I saw a second baby with the grown up! Awesome way to finish a dive. Always something new.
John

How cool. Didn't even know such a thing existed. As soon as I read your post I had to hop on Wikipedia. Always learning new things, too. Can't wait for your pics!

If anyone goes today, please post a conditions report.
Thank you!
jet

 

[Biminitwist]

Man of war fish.
Here is a picture from the internet (not mine) which actually looks like the baby, the adult was more streamlined and would flair those crazy pectoral fins out in a threat gesture. The blue streamers of the man of war stinging tendrils flowing past my face made a nice effect.....

 

[MrChen]

Tim, incredible photos!

 

[Biminitwist]

Kids are so much work.....
Male turns color when guarding eggs.....

 

[Biminitwist]

Hunting octo...
Flashy fellow.

 

[Biminitwist]

The serious teeth might explain why this big boy looked more a halibet

 

[Splitlip]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Wife and I did our first dive on the bridge today. Water temp read 70 but I don't trust my computer and viz was decent. We stuck to the west side today and will likely try the east side tomorrow.

A few things I'd point out being a first timer there:

1) you mean it when you say it gets busy
2) more fire worms and arrow crabs than I've seen on a single dive.
3) bat fish are also a lot more common than I would have thought (saw 4)

any flying gonads or frog fish? My favorite usual suspects.

 

[TightLines]

any flying gonads or frog fish? My favorite usual suspects.

I didn't spot any frog fish (favorite) but did hang around with a flying gonad (must be the scientific name).

To return the favor of the advice given I've uploaded a few low res photos from the weekend.

I completely missed the nudi in behind the sharptail eel. Only spotted it once I uploaded the photos.

 

[jimw]

any flying gonads or frog fish? My favorite usual suspects.

Most likely, flying gonads were NOT spotted at BHB! Could be in the park though!

 

[TightLines]

a few more:

Any help on an ID for the crab (?) in the last two? I'd blandly thought of it as a decorator crab but would love any more info. It was standing in the same growth it's covered in with the exception of the anemone (?) on it's back. Finger tip for scale.