Back on the King Neptune today. Three dives: Dynamite Shack (between Empire Landing and the Quarry) 40 min, 61 ft, 54 F; "West End" Quarry 40/50/53 F; and Torqua Springs 40/109/50 F.
Although we've had great vis in the dive park the past week, it was obvious that today we've had a cold water upwelling enriched with nutrients that has triggered a plankton bloom below about 40 ft. Visibility was as poor as 5-12' at depth on the first dive opening up to 20-25 ft by the last. However vis above 35 ft or so was very good, up to 60 ft.
The most spectacular thing about today's dives was a first for Dr. Bill. I saw my very first (hint, it has the word "white" in its common name)... can you guess?
Still not sure?
Keep thinking...
No, if you think it was a white abalone, you're of track.
A great white shark? Nice try but wrong again.
Yes, that's right... a white sea bass! First time I've ever seen one under water. I was at Torqua Springs in 12-15 ft of water and noticed a small school of jack mackerel behaving abnormally. I started breathing slowly and approached them to see what was happening. As I approached, a head appeared from behind the school... it was a fish I didn't immediately recognize since it was head-on. Then it turned and revealed its flank to me. Yep, definitely a white sea bass between 3-4 ft long. It looked at me for a few minutes and then swam off! VERY COOL! Unusual to see one on SCUBA (especially for me since I always have my eye to the viewfinder and am looking down for benthic critters.
Although we've had great vis in the dive park the past week, it was obvious that today we've had a cold water upwelling enriched with nutrients that has triggered a plankton bloom below about 40 ft. Visibility was as poor as 5-12' at depth on the first dive opening up to 20-25 ft by the last. However vis above 35 ft or so was very good, up to 60 ft.
The most spectacular thing about today's dives was a first for Dr. Bill. I saw my very first (hint, it has the word "white" in its common name)... can you guess?
Still not sure?
Keep thinking...
No, if you think it was a white abalone, you're of track.
A great white shark? Nice try but wrong again.
Yes, that's right... a white sea bass! First time I've ever seen one under water. I was at Torqua Springs in 12-15 ft of water and noticed a small school of jack mackerel behaving abnormally. I started breathing slowly and approached them to see what was happening. As I approached, a head appeared from behind the school... it was a fish I didn't immediately recognize since it was head-on. Then it turned and revealed its flank to me. Yep, definitely a white sea bass between 3-4 ft long. It looked at me for a few minutes and then swam off! VERY COOL! Unusual to see one on SCUBA (especially for me since I always have my eye to the viewfinder and am looking down for benthic critters.
