Tonight's Catch - Sixgill Shark

[DeepDog]

After so many recent dives that came up short in the sighting department, Deepdog was hoping to see anything interesting like either an octopus, a Decorated War Bonnet, a Saddleback Gunnel, a Canary Rockfish, a large ratfish; or if at all possible, an eight foot Sixgill Shark.

Tonight we saw all of the above as I conducted my first WSSD therapy for the evening at Alki’s Seacrest Park with fellow dive therapy patient Alkiman. Best of all, I got photos of each and every one of them and never even went deco. This should provide some pretty good flashbacks.

Most interesting, of course, was the Sixgill and the War Bonnet, thus photo links.
Being Seacrest Park, I am sure I don’t need to explain the visibility issues paired with a night dive sighting. Pretty tough photo conditions. I tried to stay within 2 to 5 feet so my light would matter. Enjoy:

Sixgill - A pretty good side shot of its head: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/10934/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

Sixgill - a clear view of its scars: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/10936/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

Decorated War Bonnet: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/10932/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

I am looking forward to having others join us for WSSD dive therapy.

 

[alcina]

Sounds & looks like a fabulous night out!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

After so many recent dives that came up short in the sighting department, Deepdog was hoping to see anything interesting like either an octopus, a Decorated War Bonnet, a Saddleback Gunnel, a Canary Rockfish, a large ratfish; or if at all possible, an eight foot Sixgill Shark.

Tonight we saw all of the above as I conducted my first WSSD therapy for the evening at Alki’s Seacrest Park with fellow dive therapy patient Alkiman. Best of all, I got photos of each and every one of them and never even went deco. This should provide some pretty good flashbacks.

Most interesting, of course, was the Sixgill and the War Bonnet, thus photo links.
Being Seacrest Park, I am sure I don’t need to explain the visibility issues paired with a night dive sighting. Pretty tough photo conditions. I tried to stay within 2 to 5 feet so my light would matter. Enjoy:

Sixgill - A pretty good side shot of his head: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/10934/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

Sixgill - a clear view of his scars: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/10936/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

Decorated War Bonnet: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/10932/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

I am looking forward to having others join us for WSSD dive therapy.

Awesome! BTW - that six-gill is a "her" ... and she's either pregnant or she recently swallowed a seal (she's a wide-body).

Your warbonnet looks like the one that lives down on the eastern I-beam, near where it bends to the bottom ... am I correct?

I was at Day Island Wall last night ... and missed spotting a six-gill by just a few seconds (the team that was 50 feet behind us spotted it). However, I can live with that, seein's how we spotted about two dozen octopus (two that were climbing down the wall), about a dozen wolf eels, and two market squid (one who had just finished laying her egg in a growing cluster). Awesome night for a dive ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[DeepDog]

Awesome! BTW - that six-gill is a "her" ... and she's either pregnant or she recently swallowed a seal (she's a wide-body). (Grateful Diver)

A girlie shark, huh? Well I'd say she was lookin' pretty fit and trim then. The shots from above didn't appear to be all that bloated. I even have a short video segment of her moving gracefully. Hubba hubba!

I'm also glad I wasn't mistaken for a seal.

 

[gcbryan]

Did you really see a Canary Rockfish at Cove 2? The only place I've ever seen one is out near Neah Bay at Waddah Island Fingers. I'd like to see another one.

Gray

 

[wedivebc]

Awesome! BTW - that six-gill is a "her" ... and she's either pregnant or she recently swallowed a seal (she's a wide-body).

)

Remember, the camera does add 10 pounds

 

[DeepDog]

Did you really see a Canary Rockfish at Cove 2? The only place I've ever seen one is out near Neah Bay at Waddah Island Fingers. I'd like to see another one.

Gray

Yes, cove 2, four minutes before the shark. It was not as comfortable with me and my camera as was the shark but I did get two photos of it bolting away. The photos are barely worth the drive space but certainly good enough to clearly distinguish species so I kept them. I would be happy to briefly gallery them if anyone were interested.

Jim

 

[wedivebc]

Yes, cove 2, four minutes before the shark. It was not as comfortable with me and my camera as was the shark but I did get two photos of it bolting away. The photos are barely worth the drive space but certainly good enough to clearly distinguish species so I kept them. I would be happy to briefly gallery them if anyone were interested.

Jim

Just wondering, how common are 6 gill sightings in your area? Ours usually show up in the mid summer.

 

[gcbryan]

Yes, cove 2, four minutes before the shark. It was not as comfortable with me and my camera as was the shark but I did get two photos of it bolting away. The photos are barely worth the drive space but certainly good enough to clearly distinguish species so I kept them. I would be happy to briefly gallery them if anyone were interested.

Jim

I'd like to see them for sure.
Gray

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Yes, cove 2, four minutes before the shark. It was not as comfortable with me and my camera as was the shark but I did get two photos of it bolting away. The photos are barely worth the drive space but certainly good enough to clearly distinguish species so I kept them. I would be happy to briefly gallery them if anyone were interested.

Jim

I have not seen a canary rockfish in Cove 2. There is a vermillion rockfish that lives near the boundary cable at about 90 fsw or so (near where it runs along the dolphin). I've also seen one hanging around the I-beams from time to time (perhaps the same one). Are you sure that's not what you saw?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)