Blue Heron Bridge Trolls

[Scuba_Jenny]

This morning's conditions---25 ft of viz, water temp 79F. JoanneR switched to her 3 mil and was cold. The Diva and I were OK, but I was a little surprised by the 2 degree drop in temp. We went west and saw an uncountable number of octos--the Diva reports seeing 4 within a few feet of one another. A few octos were out and about. I saw about 3 very small Sea Robins, several eels--mostly Sharptails but 1 Spotted, AND a tiny bright green filefish--hope to have pics after the required NAP!

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Crab using toothpick! I had not seen a Hairy Blenny in this red color phase, amazing!

The hairy blenny in that color phase is beautiful. Nice shot..

I think your filefish is a juvi. planehead.

 

[MrChen]

If I didn't have to work tomorrow I'd join you.
I need to get a few things anyways like a tank light and dive flag light. How exactly is a light mounted to a dive flag anyways?

I just string the light through one of the holes and let it hang. I have a battery operated one with a cone. I haven't had to replace the batteries yet and it's got quite a few hours on it.

Thank god I had a light on my flag last night. I was north of the east bridge by the wreck videoing critters there. Dave swims by me and I realize I don't have my flag. I saw a rope and wasn't sure if it was his flag or mine tied off. I remembered thinking about tying it off, so I wasn't sure if I had actually done it. I catch up to him and it's not mine. So I surfaced in the dark and had to investigate all the flags which had the same flotation device. I burned through 30 min of air in like 5 minutes! argh. I found it on the north side of the bridge, so the tide pushed it through, then pushed it back in and it wrapped around the pillar. I had to swim up current to get it. To make it worse, I forgot my flag and this one was a rental from Force-E. So a $5 rental was about to turn into a $40 replacement cost. So my dive got cut short by 30 minutes.

The rest of the dive went well. I spent about an hour next to the wreck and kept finding things to sit on and record within a 20 ft area. I was also fighting the current most of the time as the tide was still coming in, but I couldn't find anything interesting out on the snorkel trail. I'll get some video up tonight.

---------- Post added May 28th, 2014 at 10:28 AM ----------

BTW: My computer reported 80 degrees.

---------- Post added May 28th, 2014 at 08:52 PM ----------

Ok, here's my video from last night. I finally took the time to set the mood with some music. I was trying my hardest to find "porn" music for one scene . Enjoy!

[video=youtube;D6wavCg8jjs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6wavCg8jjs&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[djtimmy77]

Mr Chen, great stuff! Video looks great!

 

[MrChen]

Thanks Tim, it means a lot coming from you.

---------- Post added May 28th, 2014 at 10:36 PM ----------

Jim wanted to know if I had any video looking for my flag. Unfortunately for him, I turned it off to concentrate on finding the damn thing.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

Nice choice with music Chen, especially the breakdance/funk with the octopus. Loved it.

 

[jimw]

Thanks Tim, it means a lot coming from you.

---------- Post added May 28th, 2014 at 10:36 PM ----------

Jim wanted to know if I had any video looking for my flag. Unfortunately for him, I turned it off to concentrate on finding the damn thing.

Very nice video, MrChen! I enjoyed watching! Perhaps someone else shot your FFS (Frantic Flag Search) and will soon post it.:cool2:

 

[EL Pistoffo]

Jim wanted to know if I had any video looking for my flag. Unfortunately for him, I turned it off to concentrate on finding the damn thing.

Lucky for you the scuba police didn't write you a ticket.

 

[kevindive]

How was the trip to St. Croix? You never said. Love to hear about it.

Thanks

K

 

[jimw]

We went again today to find the temp back up to 81, but the viz down a little to 20-25 with lots of particulates in the water column. Saw and shot pics of 3 more little filefish--AND did not run out of cam card THIS time!! We went west again into octoland--they are numerous! An interesting sight was a new diver backpedaling across the bottom in front of me--reminded me of Michael Jackson dancing to Thriller! Just not as coordinated! The front row parking was pretty full--surprising for a Thursday. There were several guided dives and Discover Scubas. A class or 2 as well. I saw a Spotted Eel and, as with every BHB dive; there was a new world record size Arrow Crab seen! I saw a Pipefish as soon as I submerged in 5-6 ft of water. Going again Monday and I will be looking for that new record Arrow Crab!

 

[jet126]

How was the trip to St. Croix? You never said. Love to hear about it.

Thanks

K

It was wonderful! If you love BHB you will love Frederiksted Pier!! It has a lot of the same critters: seahorses, octopus, frogfish, eels, crabs, etc. I used N2 the Blue dive shop and stayed at Cottages by the Sea - I gave both a five-star review on Trip Advisor.

N2 is located just a few steps from the pier. If you purchase a package they give you tanks to dive the pier yourself for free. Plus a wheel barrel to schlep your gear. So we went as many times as we could. And yes, not only did I see multiple seahorses but also a green sea turtle! I will definitely go back.



aerial view of Frederiksted Pier - it's really long!



one of many seahorses (they are bigger than "ours")



"Peek-a-boo" the green sea turtle under the pier