[Maui] Ulua Night Dive, 08/02/2007

[ScubaSeanMaui]

So I was diving Ulua at dusk. The conditions were a little stirred up but it seemed ok. I swam out to the end of the first reef and hit The Fog which was impenetrable 0 foot vis... I tried to go around it over the reef which was a scary brail swim through urchins! I tried again and turned back, then again, and it was better and I made it!!! I headed to the north along the back end of reef one and cruised the boulders... I had patchy bad vis spots and I was a little spooked. I elected to head back and passed a few divers on the way. I saw a few fish I found interesting but hundreds of "brittle-star-like" starfish on the reef. On my way in I noticed the plankton was aggregating on my light.. It got so heavy I was getting uncomfortable... I found a few Frogfish on my way back and was limited by the plankton around me.... I did see 1 Frogfish with his lure out and another one just perched on some coral... All in all it was a fun dive but I wish I had better vis and less plankton!

Photos here:

http://www.scubapost.net/blogs/?q=node/181

Sean

Scubapost.net - Socal Diving and Beyond!

 

[kidspot]

Cool shots - I really like the ones of the cone shell with his "stinger tube" extended. I've never seen them like that before.

Aloha, Tim

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

That cone was having a good time. It's called a Striated Cone and "dangerous to humans." p. 141 HI Sea Creatures. I guess it sneekes up on sleeping fish and stings them then eats 'em

I'm glad I didn't touch it!

Sean

 

[justleesa]

Very cool pics Sean! Even the Frogfish had his little thingie out

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Very cool pics Sean! Even the Frogfish had his little thingie out

Thanks Lisa! hehe nice way of putting it! I didn't see it's lure when I saw the Frogfish... I was stoked since it's the first time I saw the lure during or after the dive! Anyone know anything about the Frogfish lure? Where do they store it when it's not out? I saw the yellow one a few days earlier near the same spot... I was thinking "there must be a Frogfish around here" and violla there he was! So lucky!!

Sean

 

[MeiLing]

Very cool pics Sean! Even the Frogfish had his little thingie out

OK! Now I'm curious! I think you need to conduct a "thingie" identification class!

 

[justleesa]

hee hee....I've only seen them with the lure out on night dives....that might be their trick

Thingie can be used for pretty much anythingie

 

[alcina]

Froggies simply lay it against their heads when they aren't using them You can kind of see it in the first few images you have there.

Looks like a great dive once you got going!

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Thanks Alcina! I'll have to look more closely next time I see one. The plankton was so thick I couldn't really check it out.... If it's not one thing it's something else!!!

Sean

 

[KrisB]

Cool shots - I really like the ones of the cone shell with his "stinger tube" extended. I've never seen them like that before.

Aloha, Tim

If I understand correctly, stinging is not the only purpose of that "tube" -- I believe it's referred to as a syphon and has other sensory purposes as well.