Good luck avoiding the White Sharks Sean!
I've done several solo dives dives past Topango in Malibu over the last couple weeks.
vis: 10-15 in some parts
temp: low 60's
max depth: 36ft
waves: low, high, and today medium
bottom times: around 80 minutes usually (AL-80)
I've seen many interesting things I've never seen before. The most amazing was a free swimming spanish shawl, in 10ft of water over sand. The shawl was right in the middle of the water column, flapping away like crazy, (I got a photo of him flapping) he was really swimming, it was amazing to watch! When I got close, he swam at my hand, and landed perfectly on my finger. I put him near some rocks and he crawled off my hand.
I also saw a keyhole limpet with its feelers out, moving across the sand, that was also a first!
I've seen many strange-colored black croakers, they are a recent appearance, Dr bill has noticed them too.
A spotted kelpfish was hanging out in some debris. He had no problem crawling onto my hand, cute little guy. he did appear half stunned though, maybe they are always like that?
I always see the usual suspects too (bat rays, horn sharks, cabezon, scorpionfish, kelpfish, schools of perch, opaleye).
I've noticed lobster love my camera, when I get close to them they touch my camera with their antennae and give it a rub. I got a nice shot of that too!
btw, I tried diving with my hood on the outside of my wetsuit today, instead of on the inside, I think I got less water inside my wetsuit this time. yeah!
photos:
http://gallery.scubapost.net/v/scottfiji/BigRock20050826
http://gallery.scubapost.net/v/scottfiji/BigRock20050902/
Enjoy!
Scott
Sea Anemone
Spanish Shawl
Cabezon
Lobster holding my camera
Giant Kelpfish