Catalina 12/22

[paradicio]

Nice pics guys! My wife has a shot of me coming out of the water by the rocks, but none of the struggle to get in and out... I need to get our shots online so I can post some here as well, I've got some shots of the same critters you did! I know I got that halibut.

Dr. Bill we are very lucky to have you here as part of this community. I really appreciate all the info. While I'm not a scientist, I am very interested in all things aquatic (thus the diving...). I've kept aquariums (both salt and freshwater) all of my life and have learned quite a bit from that hobby. Scuba has expanded on that tenfold... I get to actually see what thing look like in their natural environment, (so much better than in the tank), and I get to learn from other divers!

I've toyed with the idea of setting up a "CA Waters Eco Tank", so that my non-diving friends and family can get a glimpse of what we see in our waters, but keeping a tank cool is much more difficult than heating one up for tropical fish. Using chillers to keep the waters cool is 1) expensive to buy a chiller, and 2) takes a lot of electricity.

I'm rambling now... Thanks for posting the pictures guys, I will add some to this thread as soon as I can get them online!

 

[JMdiver]

Nice pics guys! My wife has a shot of me coming out of the water by the rocks, but none of the struggle to get in and out... I need to get our shots online so I can post some here as well, I've got some shots of the same critters you did! I know I got that halibut.

Dr. Bill we are very lucky to have you here as part of this community. I really appreciate all the info. While I'm not a scientist, I am very interested in all things aquatic (thus the diving...). I've kept aquariums (both salt and freshwater) all of my life and have learned quite a bit from that hobby. Scuba has expanded on that tenfold... I get to actually see what thing look like in their natural environment, (so much better than in the tank), and I get to learn from other divers!

I've toyed with the idea of setting up a "CA Waters Eco Tank", so that my non-diving friends and family can get a glimpse of what we see in our waters, but keeping a tank cool is much more difficult than heating one up for tropical fish. Using chillers to keep the waters cool is 1) expensive to buy a chiller, and 2) takes a lot of electricity.

I'm rambling now... Thanks for posting the pictures guys, I will add some to this thread as soon as I can get them online!

You should think about joining Reef Check Ca. check out their website: Reef Check - Saving Reefs Worldwide Research, Education, Conservation

 

[paradicio]

Thanks JMDiver! I will check out Reef Check and might just join!

Here are some pics from our dives over the weekend...

Me crawling out over the rocks (my wife took this shot).

And some of the wildlife.

And the algae we discussed earlier...

 

[drbill]

Just for those who are unfamiliar with SoCal marine life that might read this, wildlife in order: cerianthid anemone, C-O sole or turbot, cerianthid anemone, kelp bass, school of sargo, giant kelpfish and the nasty exotic Sargassum filicinum.

 

[JMdiver]

Hey Dr Bill what ever happen to the campaign to rid the park of that crap.

John

 

[JMdiver]

Yeah Para getting over those rocks are so much fun at low tide.

John

 

[drbill]

Hey Dr Bill what ever happen to the campaign to rid the park of that crap.

John

Based on several expert opinions (with which I concur), it would be impossible. The adult plants are far too dense throughout Catalina's leeward coast and there are "billions and billions" of spores waiting for the next growing season. That stuff is unbelievable since it hasn't even been on Catalina for two years yet as far as we know.

 

[Choyster]

HA! Great photos, Paradicio! I guess you couldn't get a frontal shot of that turbot either, huh? I've got quite a few photos of his tail as he kept swimming away from me every time I tried to take his picture.

 

[paradicio]

HA! Same here Choyster... My wife did get some good video of it swimming away from us though!