The Lexy November '05 Dive Report thread

[dpbishop]

I have dove with Harbor seals a couple of thimes at Los Coronados; they like to sneak up on you and try and bite your fins. I think this is just a game for them as they seem more curious than aggressive; and always back of when you face them.
You were right to scrub the dive if you felt uncomfortable, hopefully you can meet up with him again when you have a few more dives under your belt. I know a lot of divers who would count themselves lucky if they had your experience. You could get major bragging points if you recount the story and leave out the part about surfacing early.

 

[scottfiji]

You could get major bragging points if you recount the story and leave out the part about surfacing early.

even more points if you have photos or video.

Scott

 

[Lexy]

Now my question is who would you have handled this? Were we wussies or was the the third visit enough to call the dive? He did not show any apparent signs of aggression it was just unnerving.
My buddy, who happens to be my father, and I were laughing at ourselves after we had dried off and processed our actions but what should we have been doing or doing different?
And If any of you guys are pissed at us because we did not blow an antire tank of air then go get more just to play with the gut then I apologize.

Here's my 2 PSI... You absolutely made the right choice by calling the dive. And no you weren't wussies. My guess is you encountered a overly playful sea lion, rather than a harbor seal (sea lions have ear flaps and are larger than the harbor seal). Regardless of species, it was still pestering and unnerving to you and your dive buddy. Anything that is unnerving while diving, is worth calling off the dive. Little problems/issues can pile up, resulting in a dangerous situation.

Sea lions are curious creatures with personalities much like naughty little puppy dogs. I encountered the fin biting behavior and dive bombing in La Paz, Mexico. This behavior is all considered "play", from what I've read/expereinced. ((Underwater barking from a sea lion bull is not play and is fair warning to back off to respect territory.)) I've also heard of sea lions blowing bubbles in divers faces, pulling on snorkels and nipping on arms. It might be fun and games for the sea lion but when they are pulling with good force on your fin, it's a little shocking. Especially if you've never encountered or heard of this type of behavior.

There's no reason to apologize... you made the right choice. There's nothing more that you could do, except relocate dive sites. And that's the bottom line.

 

[ckaspar]

Well, I thank you for all of your support and input. I was fine with palying with him the first two times but after our accidental strike of the fin to him and his return to us with a gentle nudging we figured that diving another day is better than potentially being afraid of the water for ever because of "killer seals!"

I am positive that it was a seal. He had no ear flaps nor did he have any visible hip or neck line. Either way it was a story that I will remember forever and maybe even embelish as the intial scars start to heal.

Perhaps in a few years I will be able to say that while playing with him I was able to ride him like that little boy did to flipper, or something. We'll see!

Thanks again.

 

[Frank O]

I am positive that it was a seal.

Harbor seals can definitely act this way. I've been on at least a couple of dives at Catalina where they've come up, nipped at fins, practically snuggled right up. In both of my close encounters, we read their intentions as more affectionate -- even amorous -- than hostile. But I've heard reports from other buddies where it hasn't always come off that way.

Juvenile sea lions can be playful too. I remember a spirited game of keep-away a bunch of them played with me (they found a piece of caution tape or something floating around) at Santa Barbara Island a couple of years ago.

 

[Roughwaterjohn]

they like to sneak up on you and try and bite your fins.

Or, like my buddy Terry, you can have one clamp down on your head.....twice. Of course neither the Sea Lion nor Terry were injured in the making of this encounter, but he doesn't recommend you try this at home, or the Coronados.

John A.

 

[ckaspar]

Frank O defnitely picture 1. That was the guy! He did it! Book'em Danno!

In reality I wish it had been a sea lion because I have already had the pleasure of meeting a seal at Shaws earlier this year.

It was a fleeting glimpse but hey I saw him and nobody else did. Lucky me the first time. Not so great the second encounter.

Thanks.

 

[scottfiji]

hey frank, nice photos!

btw, I did a few dives yest. on 4 different LA/OC county wrecks, off the sundiver. I dove the african queen, unknown wreck, ellie, and gambler, in that order. The wrecks sometimes felt a little dark and dreary to me, but it was still cool to go to new spots. Notable sightings included 6 species of nudies (shawl, hermies, triopha, cockerelli, san diego dorid, Acanthodoris lutea) a lingcod, metridium, and a halibut. No rockfish. other divers saw blennies and a small wolf eel.

depths and bottom times: 92ft, 31min; 101ft, 16min; 65ft, 41min; 79ft, 42min

complete photo gallery:
http://gallery.scubapost.net/v/scottfiji/wrecks20051120

spanish shawl

cup coral

unknown anemone, different from a normal corynactis

 

[JMdiver]

Date:11/20/05
Location:Cresant Bay [both dives]
Bottom Time:35min. & 29min.
Max Depth:35ft & 33ft
Vis: 20-25ft both times
Wave Height: 1ft
Temp @ Depth: 64deg.
Surface Temp: 85deg.
The first dive we saw about 10 bugs two were large. I missed one & grabbed another by the antenna but it slipped out of my hand. We also seen an Octopus about 2ft long. The 2nd dive we swam to Seal Rock & saw a seal just one it was a pretty unaventful dive but the vis was great.

Happy Diving
John

 

[Lexy]

Date: Monday, 11/21/05
Dive Location: Shaw's Cove, Laguna Beach
Time: 7:08 PM PST
Bottom Time: 68 minutes
Max Depth: 41 feet
Vis: 20 - 25 feet
Wave height: 1 foot, with the occasional sneaky 2 footer
Temp at depth: 61
Surface Temp: 69
Tide information: High
Gas mix: Air
Comments: What a great evening to dive! After catching a cold last week, it was nice to finally get out in the water.

Ok on to the good stuff... Met up with Aeon (Bill) and eyasha (Kara) for a Monday night dive. We geared up and encountered an easy surf zone. No major incidents on entry or exit.

Shaw's was absolutely alive tonight - with great vis and several divers taking advantage of the conditions. It was like a light show between the beautiful stary night sky and the dive lights!

First critter to encounter were blacksmith nestled into the rocks, fast asleep except for the occasional movement when caught by a dive light. We awakened a big old Garabaldi, several kelp bass, a treefish and barred sand bass - who all didn't seem to appreciate the roving dive gang. The surge was absolutely nil to maybe 1 foot at best. No rocking and rolling surge tonight... (ahhhh) We primarily cruised the outter edge, curving right toward South Crescent.

Couple of big highlights - a lovely moray eel who was just about 1 foot out of her hole, curiously awaiting a meal. We saw a large Octopus who skid-dattled when approached a little too quickly.

Coming in over the sand was the grand finale though... many round rays, a big 2-3 foot bat ray lazily cruised past us and a 2-3 foot shark!! Oh boy that was so exciting to see my first REAL shark. I was screaming with delight through my reg, while doing the happy dance. (Don't laugh, yeah it took a while....) We watched it for a while as it cruised over the sand and then out into the inky black darkness. I'm putting a bet on the ID being a blue shark where as Aeon (Bill) is betting on a nurse shark. Anyhow, that was such a treat to see a shark. Surf exit was a piece of cake. I learned something new: I can finally say I really enjoy night diving. Get out and dive my friends, we have stellar conditions right now.