California - Better to be underwater this week!

[parabolic]

Lots of rain here! Much better underwater in Morro Bay:

Dendronotus frondosus:

Flabellina trilineata:

Pipefish:

Lots of pups on the San Simeon beaches right now:

Mom and pup:

 

[drbill]

Awesome on the elephant seal pups there. I can remember 20 years ago when I walked around the lighthouse and saw some of the first elephant seals that were staking a claim to that site.

Even though I'm not diving here, I am "under water..." lots of leaks in my ceiling from my condo neighbor upstairs who apparently secured a large swinging arm for her deck umbrella using eight lag bolts that penetrated through my roof. Grrr!

 

[scottfiji]

Parabolic, nice finds on the nudies. Great job showing off the rhinophores on the Flabellina. I really need to make a road trip up there some time and check out the Morro bay dive sites.

Scott

 

[parabolic]

Thanks Bill and Scott.

@Bill - it is really extraordinary what's happened up there. The docents say the population is up to about 15,000 individuals. One of the most fascinating things I've ever seen in nature. This is a good time to see it, the pups are all born now and mating is about to start. The big bulls will be sparring soon.

@Scott - Let me know if I can help. I have been diving in the bay for over 20 years now and can give you lots of free advice It's a unique place to dive, not pretty, but loaded with interesting life and IMHO one of the best nudibranch dives anywhere in the world.

 

[Bogie]

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

[AndyT]

Great pics Ken !!! Love the nudis.

A friend who lives out your way has invited me over, aint going to happen this year but hopefully sometime.

 

[drbill]

15,0000... holy mackerel! When I was there in 1990 I think there were 2 or 3 dozen and they sure surprised me when I walked around the corner!

 

[parabolic]

Great pics Ken !!! Love the nudis.

A friend who lives out your way has invited me over, aint going to happen this year but hopefully sometime.

Let me know when it happens Andy. I think you will enjoy diving in California. ++Ken++