Dive Report: Nudibranchs at Bull Point (3/23/08)

[RIOceanographer]

Tampico_Ed and I did a nice dive at Bull Pt today. The nudibranchs were out and I got a few decent pictures. Ed, had his new HD video setup with him so maybe he'll post something later.

Conditions were pretty good. We went down to a max depth 90 ft, the water temperature was 41 degrees F and visibility was around 10-15ft. We entered at the cobble beach, went around the point and exited on the rocks at the southern corner of the pier on the other side of the point. It was quite a hike up the rocks at low tide with all of Ed's new video gear.

 

[Justwander]

great pictures Chris- thanks for posting them.

how much longer before 7mm wetsuits are acceptable in the water?

 

[dave4868]

Thanks for the great shots of the nudi's and the dive report! It's been too many weeks out of the water for me, but that helped....

I had to look up the "tubularian hydroid" since I couldn't remember. "Favorite food of the red-gilled nudibranch", per Andy Martinez' Marine Life of the North Atlantic.

Hope to see nudi's next weekend in Cape Ann.

Dave C

 

[ScubaSarus]

Yes

Thats good stuff there guys. Those are nice high megapixel shots. Looks like that nudi in the last pic is trying to camoflage its self in those (what are they?) things. Incredible selective advantage.

 

[RIOceanographer]

last pic is trying to camoflage its self in those (what are they?) things. Incredible selective advantage.

Like Dave said above, Turbellarian hyrdroids. The nudibranchs eat them so you'll frequently find them together.

 

[RIOceanographer]

great pictures Chris- thanks for posting them.

how much longer before 7mm wetsuits are acceptable in the water?

Hard to say, obviously it varies a bit depending on the weather and the person but early May the shallower RI dive sites usually hit 50 which for me at least isn't too bad in a 7mm farmer or 7mm one piece with a hood vest.

 

[RIOceanographer]

I had to look up the "tubularian hydroid" since I couldn't remember. "Favorite food of the red-gilled nudibranch", per Andy Martinez' Marine Life of the North Atlantic.

That's actually how I usually find the nudis. The hydroids are easier to spot, so look for the hydroids and this time of year it is a good bet you'll find the nudis along with them.

 

[Tampico_ED]

Nice shoots....now that you do not have competition. Unfortunately due to a human error the video did not come up nice at all. This was the first dive with the new setup. We'll see next time !

 

[therealtreehugger]

Very cool pics! We are planning on going out tomorrow, if the wind doesn't spoil things. How deep did you get before you started seeing the nudibranchs? WHat kind of camera do you have? I have a sea and sea with a strobe that I got a few months ago. I am still trying to improve the pics I get. How close was the camera?
THanks! - Becky

 

[RIOceanographer]

Very cool pics! We are planning on going out tomorrow, if the wind doesn't spoil things. How deep did you get before you started seeing the nudibranchs? WHat kind of camera do you have? I have a sea and sea with a strobe that I got a few months ago. I am still trying to improve the pics I get. How close was the camera?
THanks! - Becky

I was around 40-50 ft for most of those shots. My camera setup is pretty basic, I am just using a Canon A610 point and shoot camera in a cheap Canon housing. I don't have a strobe, just the internal flash so I have to get very close to avoid lots of backscatter. I was probably 6-8 inches from the subject in most of those pictures.

Good luck tomorrow.