Life in King Harbor after the big die-off

[MaxBottomtime]

I have a trip to Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands at the end of the month and was hoping to get in some practice with my camera before then. The dive conditions have not cooperated, so I decided to try my luck in King Harbor again. After the massive sardine die-off earlier this month I wasn't expecting to see anything, but to my surprise, the water was full of life.
There were dozens of Hermissendas laying eggs on the pilings, bottom and bits of marina trash. I saw a navanax sneaking up on one, but the Hermissenda managed to detect it in time to swim away.
I missed a shot of an octopus as it ducked into a pipe when I approached. I did manage to spot a flatworm, Prostheceraeus bellostriatus in the silt. Hydroids, sponges, anemones, nudibranchs and tunicates seem to be thriving in King Harbor. I'll have to try wide angle next time. There is a very old motorcycle under my boat that would make a nice photo if I can get at least ten feet of vis.

 

[FrankPro1]

Love the crispness of the trumpet on the tunicate shot and the detail in the Hermi's Cerata is awesome! Can't wait to see what you come back with on your Northern Island trip. Is it a multi-day?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

We will be on the Vision from Thursday night until Sunday. We did this trip two years ago and had strong winds and ripping currents all weekend. I'm expecting tornadoes this time.

 

[surfinusa555]

Enjoyed the pictures. I'm looking forward to what you post from your Santa Rosa and San Miguel trip.

 

[scubatomwetzel]

So, did thy clean up the whole mess? Or did the rain wash it out?

How about Pearl Street, Vets?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[TSandM]

Max, I love people who find the same beauty in some of the sessile invertebrates that I do. The delicacy and elegance of the patterns of tubeworms and tunicates fascinates me, and I love images that capture the magic. Thank you.

 

[ligersandtions]

I didn't know you could dive in the harbor!

I'm curious....what was the vis like? I know you said you need at least 10 feet to get the shot of the motorcycle, but your pictures make it look deceivingly good!

Nice pics....I'm also a fan of the fact that you shoot invertebrates so often Always beautiful!

 

[Ericlt1]

I didn't know you could dive in the harbor!

I'm curious....what was the vis like? I know you said you need at least 10 feet to get the shot of the motorcycle, but your pictures make it look deceivingly good!

Nice pics....I'm also a fan of the fact that you shoot invertebrates so often Always beautiful!

I think we need to try a harbor dive.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Technically it is illegal to dive inside the harbor, but I needed to clean the bottom of my boat and survey it. Yeah, that's the ticket.