We looked at the south side of Palos Verdes yesterday and saw mud...lots of mud. We didn't have much hope for visibility today but decided to check out the west side. Topaz Jetty looked green and there was a lot of detritus on the surface. We decided to dive the Redondo Barge once again.
Upon reaching fifty feet we were greeted to a zoo of salp chains. They looked like party favors dropping from the ceiling. I glanced down and saw the sand and barge clearly at eighty-two feet. Once on the barge I headed for one of the many octopus nests. Some of the eggs have hatched this week. I hope to catch a hatchling in action tomorrow.
I swam the perimeter of the barge searching for Dendronotus iris. Along the way I found many tube anemones with eggs and a few lingcod, including a three footer who seems to be guarding the same spot every time I see him.
I guess Dendronotus iris get tired of eating tube anemones all the time. This one seems to prefer salps.
I checked out the sides of the barge for any new nudibranchs. I found two metridium anemones. One was also enjoying salp soup.
I didn't find any new nudis so I checked to see if the tiny Doto kya was still laying eggs on a small hydroid. This time there were two. I'll try using a diopter tomorrow to see if I can get a decent shot. These guys are barely visible to the naked eye.
Caprellids enjoying an underwater boxing match
Pleurobranchaea californica on a garden brick
Back on the surface we were surprised to see three official looking boats bearing down on us. It was two very fast Los Angeles Port Police boats escorting a larger vessel. I guess the port is doing well financially this year.
With all the salps in the water it was no surprise to find Mola Molas at the surface. A few swam next to our boat. We spotted two dozen in one hour. On our way back to King Harbor we were surrounded by small common dolphins. No Blue whales were sighted, but a fun time was had by all.
Upon reaching fifty feet we were greeted to a zoo of salp chains. They looked like party favors dropping from the ceiling. I glanced down and saw the sand and barge clearly at eighty-two feet. Once on the barge I headed for one of the many octopus nests. Some of the eggs have hatched this week. I hope to catch a hatchling in action tomorrow.
I swam the perimeter of the barge searching for Dendronotus iris. Along the way I found many tube anemones with eggs and a few lingcod, including a three footer who seems to be guarding the same spot every time I see him.
I guess Dendronotus iris get tired of eating tube anemones all the time. This one seems to prefer salps.
I checked out the sides of the barge for any new nudibranchs. I found two metridium anemones. One was also enjoying salp soup.
I didn't find any new nudis so I checked to see if the tiny Doto kya was still laying eggs on a small hydroid. This time there were two. I'll try using a diopter tomorrow to see if I can get a decent shot. These guys are barely visible to the naked eye.
Caprellids enjoying an underwater boxing match
Pleurobranchaea californica on a garden brick
Back on the surface we were surprised to see three official looking boats bearing down on us. It was two very fast Los Angeles Port Police boats escorting a larger vessel. I guess the port is doing well financially this year.
With all the salps in the water it was no surprise to find Mola Molas at the surface. A few swam next to our boat. We spotted two dozen in one hour. On our way back to King Harbor we were surrounded by small common dolphins. No Blue whales were sighted, but a fun time was had by all.
Nice photos as always... This is why I started diving again. Can't wait to have day like this.
