UPPER KEYS diving, a few pics from today: sunday, 2/23/14

[reefman]

planned on diving the blue hole(non buoyed deep site abeam sand island, northern end of the molasses SPA) this AM, however higher than forecasted winds/seas and strong currents dictated an alternate plan. commercial dive vessels all moored on the northern end of molasses due to the strong current(majority went north to French reef and the bendwood), so we elected the southern most shallow buoy M19 and deal with the exposed, rippin current for solitude. dive #1, M19(permit ledge/fire coral cave, pillar coral forest), sun/clouds, 2-3FT seas, 8-12KT SE winds, strong NE current, hence a rocking/rolling tie up, somewhat sloppy out there! blue water, viz a respectable 60+ FT, water temp a constant 78F @ 20-38FT. dive #2, we moved north as the commercial boats finished up and went back to the dock. buoy M25(logans run, eagle ray alley, winch hole), once again a mdt/strong current, dusty blue viz 50-60+ FT, 78F @ 25-44FT. both dives, all to ourselves. a few small reef sharks, nurse sharks, morays and numerous snappers/goliath, black, Nassau groupers. pretty nice diving conditions for late FEB. marine Wx looks decent all week! pics from TIMG,,,,,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[CajunDiva]

Thanks for the report! It looks like the water is beginning to warm up again. Once it reaches 80 degrees, I'm in a dive skin Lets hope for calmer seas soon...I'm hoping to make a quick trip down in March.

Great pics Tim...LOVE the grouper!

 

[scubadada]

Looks like a great dive, a little bit of everything. Gorgeous pictures, as usual.

Thanks, Craig

 

[Randy g]

Tim you make these "extended" surface intervals a little easier to deal with. Thanks guys, sounds like a great dive,

 

[CheddarChick]

sigh....current temp 8*.....sigh

 

[timg]

Thanks for the report! It looks like the water is beginning to warm up again. Once it reaches 80 degrees, I'm in a dive skin Lets hope for calmer seas soon...I'm hoping to make a quick trip down in March.

Great pics Tim...LOVE the grouper!

Thank you CajunDiva. Always in the same spot... nice knowing where the cleaning stations are.

---------- Post added February 24th, 2014 at 05:47 PM ----------

Looks like a great dive, a little bit of everything. Gorgeous pictures, as usual.

Thanks, Craig

Thank you Craig

---------- Post added February 24th, 2014 at 05:49 PM ----------

Tim you make these "extended" surface intervals a little easier to deal with. Thanks guys, sounds like a great dive,

Thank you Randy. My brother lives in Richmond, so I know it's been a crazy winter up there.

 

[reefman]

Thanks for the report! It looks like the water is beginning to warm up again. Once it reaches 80 degrees, I'm in a dive skin Lets hope for calmer seas soon...I'm hoping to make a quick trip down in March.

Great pics Tim...LOVE the grouper!

it's warming, however, I wore a 5MM full suit with a 3/5 MM hooded vest and was a bit chilled after the second 80+ minute dive,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[CajunDiva]

Too bad you don't have any female hormones...you'd never get cold

 

[iamrushman]

wonderful pics..thanks for sharing.

 

[reefman]

Too bad you don't have any female hormones...you'd never get cold

I need a prescription for a dose to keep on the boat!! 77-79F today and I was chilled once again. pics later tonite,


reefman
key largo