How big is Spanish Rocks?

[K Mejean]

Thanks Barbara. Actually, that's my little scope! Not so much an explorer; more like a gadget freak. At least that's what my wife says... When it's too cold to dive, come join us sometime and turn your head skyward! We're all over the bay area - keep an eye on our calendar for event schedules...

St. Pete Astronomy Club Forum: Calendar

This is Florida. Is it ever really too cold to dive?

 

[AstroDad]

For us natives - YES!!!!! I admit it - I'm a wuss. When the water drops below the mid 70's I start complaining big time. That's also a big reason I don't dive springs that much (that and they're mostly boring). This is the time of year I do most of my astro stuff, camping and a good bit of bass fishing too. I have *plenty* of hobbies to keep me busy during the "cold" months....

This is Florida. Is it ever really too cold to dive?

 

[K Mejean]

I dove the Spanish Rocks today. Vis was great. Somewhere around 20-25 feet. Lots of life. I wish I would have taken my speargun. There would be a little less life. Anyway. I did little swim to the north to get an idea of how big the rocks were. At the widest point I came across it was about 35 feet and I swam north from the entry point at the 6th house and when I came up at the northern most point of the rocks I was directly west of the parking area. I didn't go south from the 6th house I will save that for next time. It was a great dive though.

 

[barbaralove62]

Thanks Chris, I saved the link to my favorites.

 

[Likes2Cruise]

Git-R-Dun - Thanks for the update.

Must be we got off to the east or west when we had the buoyancy issues and went back down.

We might actually head back out there on Saturday pending friends schedule and weather. sounds like viz improved from last Sunday - and it was quite good then.

How's the water temp?

 

[eandiver]

I don't dive springs that much (that and they're mostly boring).

I guess the same could be said for the stars. To sit back and just look up it's a black void with a bunch of pin points of light. It's when you take your time and get a slower, closer look that the real beauty shines.

Just like spring diving.

 

[K Mejean]

Git-R-Dun - Thanks for the update.

Must be we got off to the east or west when we had the buoyancy issues and went back down.

We might actually head back out there on Saturday pending friends schedule and weather. sounds like viz improved from last Sunday - and it was quite good then.

How's the water temp?

Temp was 72 on the surface and 68 on the bottom. I was in the water at 9 and out by 10 so if you wait until later in the day it might be a tad warmer. It wasn't bad at all. I had on my 3 mil full suit and didn't get cold.

 

[AstroDad]

... I thought I might ruffle a few feathers with that one. .

It's only a black void with a bunch of pin points of light from the city. Go out to the country (or 20 miles out to sea at night) and it's an entirely different experience. I've done my share of springs since '86. It's OK and I do understand/accept that many find it really interesting. However, I can only get up close and personal with that green stuff on a rock so many times before I lose interest. Yes, yes, yes - I know - most can look at Saturn only so many times before they lose interest (how could anyone *ever* get tired of looking at Saturn???). I've yet to see anything as interesting in a spring as something like this: M27 (and folks think that taking photos under water is challenging. Ha!).

Let me give you a ride to the sky one night. If you haven't seen the sky through a quality scope of decent size (10" or larger), you haven't seen it. It might change your opinion regarding that black void above.

I guess the same could be said for the stars. To sit back and just look up it's a black void with a bunch of pin points of light. It's when you take your time and get a slower, closer look that the real beauty shines.

Just like spring diving.

 

[eandiver]

I did not word my response correctly. Sorry. To each his own pleasures and interests but if it's something that does not hold my interest I try and avoid words like "boring".

I personally find it not to be a black void but rather a theater with many shows going on at once. You have to have the patience and ability to examine it slowly and closely and know what you're looking at. The people who call it a black void simply saw the theater but missed the shows.

Growing up I spent many nights at the Duke Planetarium, now called Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill NC, where I grew up, looking at the heavens both inside during the shows and through the telescope outside. I also did a project when I was in the BSA ( same town, same planetarium ) involving astronomy for a merit badge, minor I know but very awe inspiring for a kid.

I have seen very little "green stuff" on the rocks but rather fossils, bones, different colored bedding planes, shapes carved out of the limestone by centuries of water flow, albino crawfish and other living animals I can't even pronounce.

 

[AstroDad]

ean,

No need to apologize - no offense was taken, and I was just playing back.... I used "boring" in my op because it's a common term tossed around here by others to get you and your type going...