The Pasley April 06 Dive Report Thread

[divinman]

Date: 04/17/2006
Dive Location: La Jolla Shores/ "NEAR" the Cabezon Cruiser
Buddy(ies): Tyler
Time: 20:49
Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 123ft
Vis: 0-20ish definitely better deeper
Wave height: 3-5
Temp at depth: 49f
Surface Temp: 60f
Gas mix: 21%

Image gallery: http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Scorpionfish/041706/

Tyler, Josh and the new guy met at Vallecetos and barreled through the big 5-6ft surf zone that seemed to last forever. Once clear of the break we kicked west on the roller coaster swells until we had enough and dropped down to the bottom at about 25ft. Vis was TERRIBLE. BIG red tide makes for a nice light show but doesn't do much for anything.

We headed down the draw to about 125 and then headed south. Just as we were making the turn I saw what I 'thought' was a very tiny horn shark. As it turned out, it was a very tiny swell shark. Tried to get some good pics but the little guy wanted nothing of my attentions and swam in furious circles until I chuckled and moved on. We didn't find the cruiser, which for Tyler is a rare thing indeed but we did have really nice 15-20 foot vis below the bone chilling thermocline at 50ft. I found a nice spot-wrist hermit crab and "the new guy" found a 3-4" mantis shrimp out on the wall. Not much else to report on the way back in except the silver dollar sized thornback ray Tyler spotted just before we stood up to again battle the rolling surf out and back to the safety of the parking lot.

Nice way to end a Monday.

Terry aka Divinman
www.ScubaPost.net
A Southern California Dive Community

 

[California Diver]

the only reason why we didnt reach the cruiser is because josh made me ascend too soon! we were within 50 ft of it.

 

[riguerin]

Date: 4/19/2006
Dive Location: North Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach
Buddy(ies): Glycerin
Time: 7:19AM
Bottom Time: 70 Mins
Max Depth: 40 FSW
Vis: 10-15 Ft
Wave height: 1 Ft
Temp at depth: 51 F
Surface Temp: N/A
Tide information: Low
Gas mix: 21%

Comments: Hooked up with Josh for a nice early morning dive before work. It was a gorgeous morning with calm seas, clear skies, and a very slight offshore flow. We finned out to the drop site and descended in approx 23 fsw. Water temp was a chilly 51F ... took a little getting used to after diving in 78F and a 3/2mm in last week. The vis was approx 10-15 ft, and there was minimal surge. Upon reaching the reef line, we discovered a pair of ditched integrated weight pouches. We moved these closer to the sand line for later recovery. Upon reaching the first large pinnacle, we were buzzed by a SeaLion. We hung out as it zoomed in, barked in our faces, then zoomed out. I tried to snap a couple pics, but it was moving too fast to get an decent shots. After it left, we continued to work the outer reef line toward Seal Rock. Along the way we encountered numerous Sea Hares. I've never seen so many on one dive ... for a while it seemed like there was one on every other rock. We also came across what looked like a Sea Cucumber party ..there were dozens of them congregated in a small area. As we continued, we saw plenty of other usual suspects. Just before the turn, we encountered two more SeaLions, an adult and small pup. The adult made a pass, but quickly escorted the youngster away. On the trip back, Josh spotted a very large male SheepHead hiding under a ledge. This was by far the biggest one I've seen on the mainland, or outside the Avalon UW Park, for that matter. He tolerated our company just briefly before darting off. As we made the turn North toward the sandy shallows, we encountered a couple cool little rays laying out in the sand. As we reached our original drop area, we picked up the weight pouches, each carrying one in, in order to split up the load. We completed the dive with a nice relaxed swim through the sandy shallows. As we walked across the sand back toward the stairs, we stopped and watched a couple SeaLion pups playing just a few feet offshore ... jumping out of the water and carrying on like little kids.


P.S. The weight pouches have a name written on them. PM Josh if you are or know the owner.

 

[Diver_Jan]

Wednesday, 4/19/06



Shaw's Cove, Laguna Beach



Surf: 0-1 foot, mostly ankle slappers upon entering

Swell: Nada

Viz: 10-15+ in Shallows; <10 at Depth

Temp: 64 cozy Suunto degrees on the surface; 52 FRIGID Suunto Degrees at Depth



Buddy: Jennifer Yee



After not being able to dive due to being sick with the flu and having a bum leg, I decided it's time to dive to see if my leg can withstand the weight of all the scuba gear.



Entered without incident. We were stunned how warm the water felt at the surface, not feeling the effects of the chill factor just yet. Looking down into the water, the water looked pretty 'green' but our attitude was 'So What!' We're diving regardless.



Dropped down 15 FSW over a bed of sand dollars and into pretty good viz. Made our way west to the reef in which the viz declined a bit but opened up once we got to the mouth of the Arch. Explored our way through as the water was quite calm. Just under the arch in the crevice to the left side were tons of HUGE bugs! They all must have been 4 pounders or better. They are some of the same bugs I attempted to snag when it was Lobster Season, however, that darn crevice is very difficult to access. Anyway, continued on through the arch when I noticed a little JV head staring up at me from under a rock amoung the muscles. On closer observation, it was a JV Moray Eel. I don't think he could have been more than two or three feet long. Too cute!



Once we made it through the Arch, we had to decide, do we continue on to the west side of the reef, or do we drop down under the wall to the left to dive the swim through that opens up into the channel leading us back to the east side of the reef (which is ALWAYS a great adventure if conditions are right). Of course, we chose the latter. When it is calm, it's really cool to check out the wall immediately inside to the right as you drop down. Checking this out, I spotted another big bug, bigger than the others in the crevice. Looked as if someone had attempted to nab this daddy, for he was missing an antennae. Along the same side, there were lots of coon stripped shrimp. I normally see an enormous Moray in this area, but he must have moved on or was not visible. As we entered and continued through the 'channel' we were greeted by numerous white sea anemones that illuminated the pathway. Absolutely gorgeous! Then, we spotted the largest Rock Fish that I had ever seen. Big, big, Big! Follewed by a nice sized Scorpion Fish. I normally see octo and nudi's in this area, but none tonight. Finally made our way out of the channel back to the east side of the reef when we turned south.



Continuing along south on the reef, I noticed that there were numerous, maybe hundreds of Chestnut Cowries, Sea Hares, and what I call Leafy Sea Cucumbers out and about in all shapes and sizes. We also saw the usual stuff: Tree Fish, Black Smith; Female Sheephead; Sand Bass, Calico Bass, Black Eyed Goby's, Paitned Greenlings, Spotted Greenlings, ect. What really caught my eye, was a sea anemone. The base glistened and sparkled to my amusement, I went over to check it out. Here was a little gem, re living the 60's doing the *Mosaic* thing. The stem of the sea anemone has several pieces of shells attached all around looking like it had inlaid tile. What a photo op! Of course, I missed it again...due to my camera woes.



Turning around, we encountered more marine life. Several baby Sting Rays, a baby Octo our over the sand in which it was attempting to take refuge in my hand as we watched him change colors and change colors of his 'Two Spots' (I guess you can tell that it was a Two Spotted Octo that we saw?). As we got shallower towards the end of the dive and we were again in about 10-15 FSW, I noticed something large in the sand. At first, I was thining it was an Angel Shark because of it's shape. I quickly grabbed my buddies leg to alert her that I have seen something really cool. We went over to investigate finding that this large creature was not an Angel Shark, but a GIANT

Halibut!!! LEGAL baby! More than Legal. Holy Moly, I had NEVER seen one that big. He was so calm too. I was able to scoot my hand under him until he gently swam off. Wowwwwww!



We followed the Halibut over the sand to discover more baby Sting Rays and a variety of crabs scooting out and about. Two in particular that were 'amourously' attached to each other flitting about and taking off in mid water *together*. Interesting to watch, for the top crab, held onto the bottom crab with his legs as they were in mid flight.



Exited in ankles slappers. I had some difficulty, for the sandy bottom kelp changing depths as I was attempting to exit, but made it out ok. Not so good for my bum leg, but the dive was well worth it!



Get out there and DIVE!!!

 

[Glycerin]

P.S. The weight pouches have a name written on them. PM Josh if you are or know the owner.

These have been returned to there home

 

[riguerin]

These have been returned to there home

That's awesome, Josh ! It has restored my faith in internet as the ultimate communication tool

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Date: April 19, 2006
Dive Location: Marineland
Buddy(ies): Solo
Time: 2:38
Bottom Time: 1:16
Max Depth: 64'
Vis: 5-15'
Wave height: 2'
Temp at depth: 51F
Comments: I rushed over to Marineland after work yesterday in an attempt to get some better images of Dendronotus iris, the newest addition to the reef community here. I have seen them on four consecutive dives now, after not finding them on any of my previous 195 dives at Marineland. I've learned a trick to finding them. I look for their eggs attached to a tube anemone. If the eggs look fresh, the critter is usually not far away. It can most often be found climbing up another tuber. The one I found yesterday was only about 1 1/2" and it was eating a morsel of tentacles. I would have never seen it if I hadn't been looking for it. I watched it climb over the top and get pulled in when the anemone retracted its tentacles. Moments later it crawled back out with a belly full of stinging Happy Meals. My camera housing was fogged up, so I was only able to save a few of the dozens of pictures I took.
I then headed downslope in search of Tritonia festiva. I've also learned how to find these as well. They eat the polyps of red Gorginians. I only found one, but it was large enough to spot from fifteen feet away. Why is it that when I have a successful search, my camera messes up? I only managed one shot of the Tritonia.
The parking lot was going to close early today, so I planned to limit my dive to 45 minutes. I was having so much fun that I didn't look at my compuiter until over an hour into the dive. I made a bee line for the cove and headed across the sand. I found a Swell shark egg case, but not much else. The caretaker was waiting to lock the gate as I reached the top of the hill. We talked about Marineland and the plans for the resort as I packed my gear. He didn't mind that I was late, and I was happy to have a successful critter hunt.

 

[divinman]

Great shots as always Phil. The look REALLY crisp.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I used my internal flash several times trying to warm up the housing. The lens was fogged for the first 30-40 minutes of the dive.

 

[LAJim]

Date: 4/21/2006
Dive Location: North Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach
Buddy(ies): Glycerin, HBDiveGirl, riguerin
Time: 8:30AM
Bottom Time: 67 Mins
Max Depth: 37 FSW
Vis: 15-20+ Ft
Wave height: 0-1 Ft
Temp at depth: 51 F
Surface Temp: N/A
Tide information: Low
Gas mix: 21%

Another scouting trip for possible ReefCheck sites. Conditions really couldn't be better for this time of the year. No surf. Viz was not spectacular below 25 ft. but in the shallows on top of the reef it was 30 ft. Octos all over. Need hand signal for "I'm having too much fun". Nice dive and nice conservation. More scouting dives then the in water training on Explorer next week.

Jim