Dive report from Destin last weekend (June 26/27

[Puffer Fish]

Ok, is getting a bit difficult to find holes in the oil to dive thru, but not being one to let that stop me diving... I went out of Emerald Coast (the only boat now running in Destin).

Other than oil, tar balls and a top layer that was yellow brown, and 90 degrees, the cool bottom was fairly clear.

I don't shoot many wide angle images, but just had to on the main stack:

We tried doing white hill, but there was oil over it, so went to Amberjack and then the Main Stack.

Sunday, the main stack had oil, so we went to Miss Louise and then back to the east stack.

Played with a wet macro lens, a few wide angle and some general images.

In no particular order:

Have no clue what the species of fire worm this is, but it came out of the sand in midday.

This sheep head actually bonded with me on the east stack, had to push him away to get the picture. Stayed with me the whole dive.

Here is my Goliath picture... well except for all the fish in the way:

 

[Puffer Fish]

A few more:

Nesting damsel...eggs are on the wall:

 

[Puffer Fish]

I have a lot more, but think everyone will get the idea... fish, water....stuff.

The bottom temperature was around 71 degrees.

Enjoyed diving... did not enjoy seeing all the oil and tar.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Great shots, braver than I too jump in the water, not knowing whats gonna float over you while you're down... Gulf is out for me for awhile

 

[Puffer Fish]

Great shots, braver than I too jump in the water, not knowing whats gonna float over you while you're down... Gulf is out for me for awhile

Would avoid swallowing any of the surface water.. fish don't seem to be going in it. But the bottom was nice (cold, but nice).

A long time ago I did a recovery dive on a tanker that blew up (well half of the tanker, others got the back of it). Crude is almost impossible to get off of gear, and no fun to get off of you. But the stains give you something to talk about later....

 

[Hetland]

great photos as always. like the comp on the fireworm especially

 

[Puffer Fish]

great photos as always. like the comp on the fireworm especially

Was trying to get it's picture as it ran across the bottom...did not seem very happy.

Thanks, by the way.

 

[mike_s]

great pics as always Puffer and thanks much for the update on the oil.

 

[Puffer Fish]

great pics as always Puffer and thanks much for the update on the oil.

Thanks Mike. I'll continue to dive as long as I can find someone that is going out, but given that they are not picking it up as fast as it is coming out, don't hold much hope for it not getting worse. On the up side, there is "only" 2 to 3 billion barrels in the deposit, so in just over a year, it will stop all by itself.

 

[plum crazy]

Im glade you got to go on the Emerald Coast because I was down there for a week 16-23 and they were booked the whole time