Blue Heron Bridge Trolls

[djtimmy77]

Last minute decision to sneak in a dive this afternoon. Vis around 10' due to the wave action outside the inlet stirring up the sand. Temperature was 75°F, and I was ill prepared (skin/hooded vest) so I was teeth-chattering cold by the end of my ~100 min dive.

Didn't find the specific critter I was searching for, however was able to round up a few decent photos...

This little crab found it's way to the back of my glove, so I figured I'd take a photo:

There were some big jawfish around but I took a photo of a little one:

I chased this Barred Hamlet around for a while to get a photo from the angle I wanted:

This grunt on the other hand was pretty cooperative:

Finally, I spent some time with a sailfin blenny:

I was lucky enough to get a couple shots timed nicely:

 

[blauvelt]

Was real cold getting out. Drove home in the wet suit. Saw one Saturday and another Yesterday. Must be a common style?

 

[mntlblok]

Fairly recent, just prior to the Goliath madness this year....

Goliath Aggregation on Castor Wreck 2014

Whoa! Very cool.

Dumb question. Is the current on those deep wrecks strictly tide dependent? Never paid any attention to the tide times when boat diving.

 

[Biminitwist]

That wreck is in 110 feet so I don't think it is tide dependent, but current and vis can fluctuate wildly day to day.
Probably more to do with how close the Gulf stream is but I claim no expertise on how that works.
Aren't you overdue for a bridge dive?
John

 

[lindai]

Was real cold getting out. Drove home in the wet suit. Saw one Saturday and another Yesterday. Must be a common style?

View attachment 196676View attachment 196677

These are Flabellina dushia, page 238 in the Caribbean Sea Slugs book. Used to be very common, this year not so much. For some reason, there are only a few around now. They feed on hydroids and the hydroids have been dying off.

 

[mntlblok]

That wreck is in 110 feet so I don't think it is tide dependent, but current and vis can fluctuate wildly day to day.
Probably more to do with how close the Gulf stream is but I claim no expertise on how that works.
Aren't you overdue for a bridge dive?
John

Well past due. Just sorta preparing to go gently into that good night. ityparty:

110 dern feet?? Sounds pretty scary - and short.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

110 is the sand. Best part of the wreck is 80-90 feet, which is where most of the gorgeous encrusting cup corals and sponges are. With the right mix and a steel 120 you can get in a 40 minute dive or a little longer. Not bridge length, for sure, but still very nice when you are surrounded by 50 or so 500 pound fish.

 

[Biminitwist]

Heck Kevin that's big enough you won't need a spotter!

 

[Pura Vida Divers]

Hello everyone,

Our next Blue Heron Bridge Night Dive will be tomorrow, Friday, November 7th. This is a FREE event!

For more information please visit: Blue Heron Bridge Night Dive: November 7th :: Pura Vida Divers

We hope to see you all there!

 

[MrChen]

Dove last night. Good vis, easily 20-30 ft depending on where you were. Vis dropped after the tide shift. Temp 76.

Saw a lesser electric ray, 3 stargazers, an octo, 2 southern rays, and lots of lobster.