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Merry

Contributor
Messages
335
Reaction score
864
Location
Torrance, California
# of dives
1000 - 2499
Weeks of dense phytoplankton near shore have made visibility challenging, but this weekend, zooplankton finally reappeared. Tiny larvaceans, as well as other squiggly larval things, are mopping up the microalgae. Pretty soon I may have to abandon bottom-dwelling Phil for the water column.

Phimochirus californiensis
PhimochiruscaliforniensisDSC_6407_zps8810ea9a.jpg




Juvenile chestnut cowry, Cypraea spadicea
JuvenilechestnutcowryDSC_6576_zps50ce4746.jpg




Also a juvenile chestnut cowry with mantle fully extended.
Juvenilechestnutcowry_zpsed5cf888.jpg




Need ID for these tiny anemones that live on the underside of rocks.
anemoneDSC_6489_zps38ff8c1e.jpg




Check out kelp fronds! They're starting to support life other than the ever-present bryozoans. Navanax inermis A young one in its mucous tube.
NavanaxinwebDSC_6480_zps1ce5aa73.jpg




Navanax eggs
Navanaxeggs2DSC_6438_zps3ae01d38.jpg




Perhaps a young Heptacarpus franciscanus?
Heptacarpusmaybe2DSC_6536_zps02cfbb90.jpg




This juvenile Polycera atra hasn't yet developed its full color.
PolyceraatrayoungDSC_6454_zps1d831c53.jpg




Brilliant color variation of the yellowfin fringehead, Neoclinus stephensae
YellowfinfringeheadDSC_6594_zps9f5b196d.jpg




Yesterday, we left beautiful conditions on Golf Ball Reef for a second dive at Malaga cove. We were on a hunt for Felimare californiensis (formerly Hypselodoris californiensis). Until Mary Goldman found one at 35 feet off Malaga in January, this elegant nudi had all but disappeared from our mainland.

The visibility was as poor as the surface portended, with lively surge to cap it all off. Phil and I each spent over an hour and a half looking for the stunning opisthobranch, but it took Kevin's keen sense to find two of them feeding on a gray sponge.
FelimarecaliforniensisDSC_6610_zps5ffb7534.jpg




Felimida macfarlandi on amethyst.
FelimidamacfarlandiDSC_6510_zpsf9d49a3f.jpg




Doriopsilla albopunctata
DoriopsillaalbopunctataDSC_6381_zpsab3301f2.jpg




Calliostoma supragranosum possibly?
CalliostomasupragranosumDSC_6470_zpse5a44362.jpg
 
Last edited:
Merry, do you ever take a BAD picture? These are stunning, especially the Hypsie -- I'm going to have trouble learning the new name :).

Our kelp fronds right now are great fun. They're liberally adorned with tiny Hermissenda crassicornis Nudibranchs, as well as skeleton shrimp, and in the right locations, pea-sized Pacific Spiny lumpsuckers. I really don't know why people swim fast when they dive. There is so much to see if you go slowly and peer at things!
 
I would love to see a spiny lumpsucker. For some reason, it's so exciting to find things living in kelp. Little treasures!

And I have to confess that it took 3 dives, I believe, to get these photos.
 
Wow Merry! Your posts are few and far between when compared to your counterpart, but oh man.... you sure know how to dazzle us. Excellent composition. Especially love your Juvenile chestnut cowry. You've really set the bar for the rest of us. :clapping:
 
Great pix as always, but you and Phil should come out to Casino Point again where Felimare californiensis sightings have gotten boringly common. Tee hee. Of course it is good to know they are beginning to reappear (or is it just be rediscovered) over off "the Big Island."
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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