As you may have heard, DiveMatrix had a weekend in Catalina recently. Team CK rolled over Friday 3/7 and came back on 3/9, logging only 9 dives for the weekend (in our defense, the dives were quite long and quite deep) but having an excellent time.
The viz wasn't good. In fact, for Catalina it was pretty poor. And with a New Moon on Friday, the tide swings we crazy - think lots of water moving through the place. I had created a list of shots I needed to take (mostly Wide Angle) but I only got the W/A in the water for one dive, due to the viz.
The good news was the Nudi's stepped up - 10 species for the weekend, including the very rare "Hit for the Cycle" (seeing all 4 of the major SoCal Blue Nudis on one trip!!! - Feds Ex, Mexichromis, McFarlands and California Chromodorid)
I am sad to report there were several Crimes (theft of gear) at Casino Point that weekend. The good news the Perps have been identified and all gear returned.
:no
Actually, the Crimes involved Ken L and Matt V, as these two sticky-fingered divers jacked our scooters for a dive - just zooming off into the murk and not bothering to return them (making us kick back to the exit...) We got scooterjacked, underwater by people we trusted.
The next day, Ken L (the recidivist) also saw fit to jack my PST 130 Tank from the tank fill line, stuff it in a locker and go play for the rest of the day with his sweet wife - leaving me to dive with one of Chica's stubby Worthingtons. Not satisfied with his crime streak, he would return on Sunday and, when offered a drink from our cooler, he would pass on one of several chilling SoBe's and shamelessly make off with the only Perrier in the bag.
Outstanding weekend. Excellent weather. Great hangs. Fun diving. Good conditions.
I couldn't do the stuff I do without a great buddy. Claudette, you are tireless, enthusiastic, encouraging, skilled and have quite simply spoiled me for all other dive buddies. Thanks for a great weekend.
Chica will report for Team CK - here are just a few images. The full gallery (30+ images) is here on Dive Matrix: Linky
Enjoy.
---
Ken
=================================
The Cycle - all 4 of the major SoCal Blue Nudis
(#1) We saw a HUGE Fed Ex on the SueJac. This guy was flapping on the top swim through. I love that he's not standing on the hull but gripping several hydroids
(#2) I've seen three of these guys in over 1000 dives. I was STOKED to find this big Hypse (California Chromodorid) hanging out this weekend.
(#3) This is the largest McFarlands I've ever seen. This was at the base of the Valiant. Remember: McFarlands have 3 stripes
(#4) Mexi city - there were Mexichromis everywhere! We saw them on the Valiant, on the Swim Platform, on the SueJac. Almost every stop had Mexi's all over the place! I got a zillion Mexi pics, but I like this one the best. He's all looking into the Fridge.... "is there anything else in here I can eat?"
............................................................................
Nudi Hook Ups - Lots of Nudi Pairs this weekend
A pair of Hudson's from the Valiant. We always see some of these on the sand, just off the bow - but this weekend I saw more than ever before. The place was littered with 'em. These two were holding hands...
A pair of Mexi's engaging in more than hand-holding...
I have nothing to say about this party of Limbaughs.
Here is that Hypse (Hypselodoris californiensis) and a Mexichromis. I put this up here for scale. We've all seen Mexichromis, so by looking at this you know how big and striking a Hypse is.
This was a scene right out of Pepe LePew. Red Tipped Dorid #1 was running away from RTD #2. #2 wouldn't get a grip, and gave chase. #1 would climb a rock, climb a leaf or just haul butt out of there. RTD #2 would not be discouraged - catching up and going all LePew on #1. Seriously, if it wasn't all going down at 103 FSW, I'd have watched it for an hour. I'm such a Slug geek...
................................................................................
This is what happens when you have on the 105mm lens, and you see a Pacific Electric Ray. All you get Ray Nose.
Hours later, Claudette and I went back to find the Ray (they usually hang out for a bit.) I had the 12-24 W/A lens on. As we hunted for the guy, we rolled up on a sleeping Angel Shark. I got several shots off before he bolted. Note the Red Tipped Dorid at the bottom-right of the shot!
Sharky not impressed. He's outtie!
Octo and Octo Buddy. I love Octos, and I find it sweet the SoCal octos quite often have a buddy hanging out.
This teeny Trilinny was on the Valiant. I just like the way he came out against that wacky worm thing on the right.
When I'm burned out on Slugs, I'll probably move to shooting sponges. They are the most amazing animals, and surely the most under-appreciated beauties in our SoCal waters. This one was shot on the hull of the Valiant at about 94 FSW.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The viz wasn't good. In fact, for Catalina it was pretty poor. And with a New Moon on Friday, the tide swings we crazy - think lots of water moving through the place. I had created a list of shots I needed to take (mostly Wide Angle) but I only got the W/A in the water for one dive, due to the viz.
The good news was the Nudi's stepped up - 10 species for the weekend, including the very rare "Hit for the Cycle" (seeing all 4 of the major SoCal Blue Nudis on one trip!!! - Feds Ex, Mexichromis, McFarlands and California Chromodorid)
I am sad to report there were several Crimes (theft of gear) at Casino Point that weekend. The good news the Perps have been identified and all gear returned.
:no
Actually, the Crimes involved Ken L and Matt V, as these two sticky-fingered divers jacked our scooters for a dive - just zooming off into the murk and not bothering to return them (making us kick back to the exit...) We got scooterjacked, underwater by people we trusted.
The next day, Ken L (the recidivist) also saw fit to jack my PST 130 Tank from the tank fill line, stuff it in a locker and go play for the rest of the day with his sweet wife - leaving me to dive with one of Chica's stubby Worthingtons. Not satisfied with his crime streak, he would return on Sunday and, when offered a drink from our cooler, he would pass on one of several chilling SoBe's and shamelessly make off with the only Perrier in the bag.
Outstanding weekend. Excellent weather. Great hangs. Fun diving. Good conditions.
I couldn't do the stuff I do without a great buddy. Claudette, you are tireless, enthusiastic, encouraging, skilled and have quite simply spoiled me for all other dive buddies. Thanks for a great weekend.
Chica will report for Team CK - here are just a few images. The full gallery (30+ images) is here on Dive Matrix: Linky
Enjoy.
---
Ken
=================================
The Cycle - all 4 of the major SoCal Blue Nudis
(#1) We saw a HUGE Fed Ex on the SueJac. This guy was flapping on the top swim through. I love that he's not standing on the hull but gripping several hydroids
(#2) I've seen three of these guys in over 1000 dives. I was STOKED to find this big Hypse (California Chromodorid) hanging out this weekend.
(#3) This is the largest McFarlands I've ever seen. This was at the base of the Valiant. Remember: McFarlands have 3 stripes
(#4) Mexi city - there were Mexichromis everywhere! We saw them on the Valiant, on the Swim Platform, on the SueJac. Almost every stop had Mexi's all over the place! I got a zillion Mexi pics, but I like this one the best. He's all looking into the Fridge.... "is there anything else in here I can eat?"
............................................................................
Nudi Hook Ups - Lots of Nudi Pairs this weekend
A pair of Hudson's from the Valiant. We always see some of these on the sand, just off the bow - but this weekend I saw more than ever before. The place was littered with 'em. These two were holding hands...
A pair of Mexi's engaging in more than hand-holding...
I have nothing to say about this party of Limbaughs.
Here is that Hypse (Hypselodoris californiensis) and a Mexichromis. I put this up here for scale. We've all seen Mexichromis, so by looking at this you know how big and striking a Hypse is.
This was a scene right out of Pepe LePew. Red Tipped Dorid #1 was running away from RTD #2. #2 wouldn't get a grip, and gave chase. #1 would climb a rock, climb a leaf or just haul butt out of there. RTD #2 would not be discouraged - catching up and going all LePew on #1. Seriously, if it wasn't all going down at 103 FSW, I'd have watched it for an hour. I'm such a Slug geek...
................................................................................
This is what happens when you have on the 105mm lens, and you see a Pacific Electric Ray. All you get Ray Nose.
Hours later, Claudette and I went back to find the Ray (they usually hang out for a bit.) I had the 12-24 W/A lens on. As we hunted for the guy, we rolled up on a sleeping Angel Shark. I got several shots off before he bolted. Note the Red Tipped Dorid at the bottom-right of the shot!
Sharky not impressed. He's outtie!
Octo and Octo Buddy. I love Octos, and I find it sweet the SoCal octos quite often have a buddy hanging out.
This teeny Trilinny was on the Valiant. I just like the way he came out against that wacky worm thing on the right.
When I'm burned out on Slugs, I'll probably move to shooting sponges. They are the most amazing animals, and surely the most under-appreciated beauties in our SoCal waters. This one was shot on the hull of the Valiant at about 94 FSW.
.
.
.
.
.
.
