Land of the Giants

[MaxBottomtime]

Merry and I returned to the Hermosa Beach Artificial Reef in search of Giant Sea Bass and Broomtail groupers. Suspended particulates made it difficult to get decent photos unless the fish were right next to you. Fortunately the GSBs at Hermosa are very friendly. We had several visit but the large Broomtail grouper made three brief appearances but never long enough for our cameras to focus. The water was cold at 63 feet but 75° at the surface. It made for an uncomfortable safety stop in a drysuit.

 

[Trailboss123]

Nice-- Look at you going all "Wide Angle" - Great photos!
Speaking of Giants, I dove this afternoon here in the S. Puget Sound (Tacoma area). I happened across the biggest Octo I have ever encountered and that is saying something. Literally scared the crap out of me- it was that BIG! and I was very happy that it was content in it's den and had no desire to come out for a visit. Especially since I was diving solo.

 

[drrich2]

Love that 1st GSB shot. You guys have a gift for making water with suspended particulates look pretty much particulate-free.

Richard.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Nice-- Look at you going all "Wide Angle" - Great photos!
Speaking of Giants, I dove this afternoon here in the S. Puget Sound (Tacoma area). I happened across the biggest Octo I have ever encountered and that is saying something. Literally scared the crap out of me- it was that BIG! and I was very happy that it was content in it's den and had no desire to come out for a visit. Especially since I was diving solo.

Did you get it on video? It sounds like you have the makings of a good scary movie!

That is one of my favorite old movie categories: Contains Giant Killer Octopus

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Love that 1st GSB shot. You guys have a gift for making water with suspended particulates look pretty much particulate-free.

Richard.

Photoshop...the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[drbill]

I'd love the see a broomtail grouper just once!

 

[Trailboss123]

Did you get it on video? It sounds like you have the makings of a good scary movie!

That is one of my favorite old movie categories: Contains Giant Killer Octopus

Unfortunately, I raced out the door to squeeze in the dive and forgot to grab my camera.

 

[Bob DBF]

Speaking of Giants, I dove this afternoon here in the S. Puget Sound (Tacoma area). I happened across the biggest Octo I have ever encountered and that is saying something. Literally scared the crap out of me- it was that BIG! and I was very happy that it was content in it's den and had no desire to come out for a visit. Especially since I was diving solo.

I've always been quite wary of octos, the bigger they are the more room I give them. I don't like the idea of being to close to a creature that could take my gear off faster than I could put it back on.


Bob

 

[Trailboss123]

Truer words were

I've always been quite wary of octos, the bigger they are the more room I give them. I don't like the idea of being to close to a creature that could take my gear off faster than I could put it back on.


Bob

Truer words were never spoken. This guy could have easily enveloped me. I had no desire to see him come out of the den.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I'd love the see a broomtail grouper just once!

You have to escape your island paradise sometime and venture over to the dirty side of the water.