wjefferis
Contributor
Met up with Firetech, S&V, and Osterboot74 at Ft. Pickens today (10-2-09) and had two good dives. The skies were overcast and the top layer of water looked a bit tannic so I decided to judge the visibility on the first dive to see if it was worth bringing my camera along for the second, big mistake!! We got into the water and I could definitely tell that the recent cold weather was starting to affect the water temps. I havent downloaded my computer yet, but I believe the surface water temps were 77*. Once we got down to 6 fsw we hit the warm thermocline of gulf water that brought the water temps up to 82* and the visibility to easily 30-35 ft. While at the organ I could clearly see the rubble beyond the culvert/tank and see over to the concrete reef pyramid and structure behind it. I was cussing through my reg that I left my camera in the truck. ******New law of diving: Never leave camera in truck for any reason 
******. We saw a couple stingrays, an octopus, torpedo ray, tons of slippery dicks, arrow crabs, and the usual assortment of marine life that make this site home. Oysterboot74 had unfortunately forgotten his mask and had to make a quick run down to one of the beach stores and picked up a high speed US Divers mask :cool2:. Luckily he was able to get back on site and meet up with us styling in his new mask on the last bit of our first dive lasting 70 minutes. One of the three highlights for me during the dive was the absolutely massive bait ball that stayed above and sometimes around us during the dive, it was very cool. The second highlight was finding my first stargazer, it was really cool until I again realized that I left my camera in my truck 
uppysee new rule of diving). The third highlight was finding a freaking huge flounder in the main rock pile area. I tried to scare him and get to take off from his spot, but he actually let me touch him. Since it was staying so still I took a measurement with my arm. He measured almost the entire length of my arm!!!! I definitely wish spearfishing was allowed at Ft. Pickens.
After and hour surface interval we splashed in for our second dive. The current was slowly starting to pick up and the viz went down to 15 feet. We made another 70 minute dive. Everything was about the same except this time I didnt forget my new rule for diving and brought the stupid camera along with me. I had a good time and it was good diving with S&V, Osyterboot74, and Firetech. Hopefully we can do this again soon . Here are a few pics I took during the second dive :uwphotographer::
******. We saw a couple stingrays, an octopus, torpedo ray, tons of slippery dicks, arrow crabs, and the usual assortment of marine life that make this site home. Oysterboot74 had unfortunately forgotten his mask and had to make a quick run down to one of the beach stores and picked up a high speed US Divers mask :cool2:. Luckily he was able to get back on site and meet up with us styling in his new mask on the last bit of our first dive lasting 70 minutes. One of the three highlights for me during the dive was the absolutely massive bait ball that stayed above and sometimes around us during the dive, it was very cool. The second highlight was finding my first stargazer, it was really cool until I again realized that I left my camera in my truck uppysee new rule of diving). The third highlight was finding a freaking huge flounder in the main rock pile area. I tried to scare him and get to take off from his spot, but he actually let me touch him. Since it was staying so still I took a measurement with my arm. He measured almost the entire length of my arm!!!! I definitely wish spearfishing was allowed at Ft. Pickens.After and hour surface interval we splashed in for our second dive. The current was slowly starting to pick up and the viz went down to 15 feet. We made another 70 minute dive. Everything was about the same except this time I didnt forget my new rule for diving and brought the stupid camera along with me. I had a good time and it was good diving with S&V, Osyterboot74, and Firetech. Hopefully we can do this again soon . Here are a few pics I took during the second dive :uwphotographer::
