What Dreams Are Made Of: Long Point Marineland Dive Report 8.26.12

[FrankPro1]

Wow! What a day to be a PV shore diver. I cringe knowing that Charlie and I almost called it off! But in the end the LOLA conditions were too inviting and with summer break coming to a close, we forced an early Sunday rise. Reports from Rev. AL and his flock of debriefers ranged from 20-40ft visibility. Looking from the Nasket cliff side, I would have guessed half that but they weren't wrong! Visibility was easily 40-50ft vertical looking down from the surface and easily 20-25ft horizontal when above 45ft of depth. Below 45ft a green soupy haze took over, but there was such a wide variety of fish out, I didn't mind one bit. At least 6 Vermilion Rockfish individuals, 2 large schools of Blue Rockfish "most still juvenile, but a few 8-10 inchers", a couple pairs of Cabezon, Gopher, Copper, Kelp and Black & Yellow Rockfish, countless Sheephead...... and on and on and on. I've never seen Long Point this bursting with life. On the other hand not many nudibranch species were seen and my main invertebrate target Dendronotus Iris was nowhere to be found, though I believe I did find some of their eggs. Overall a spectacular dive, so glad we didn't veg out on the couch and miss what turned out to be a rare treat.

Captures:

Dendronotus Iris eggs on Tube Anemone?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Those are fresh Dendronotus iris eggs. Keep checking the areas around tube anemones and you will find them. One year they were on the south and east side of the main reef by the hundreds, if not thousands. I love the Copper rockfish with the open mouth.

 

[FrankPro1]

Those are fresh Dendronotus iris eggs.

I thought so Phil. Charlie and I scoured the surrounding area after finding the eggs and no luck. They've been on my to-shoot list for too long :cussing:

 

[fnfalman]

I'm surprised to see vermillion close to shore. I figure they'd be all hunted out by now.

 

[FrankPro1]

I'm surprised to see vermillion close to shore. I figure they'd be all hunted out by now.

I was surprised myself. In the 50'odd dives I've had at Marineland I never saw one. Yesterday, at least 6 large individuals. Here's one of them:

---------- Post Merged on August 28th, 2012 at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous Post was on August 27th, 2012 at 08:01 PM ----------


Just got back from a sunset free dive at Sacred's Cove "about 1 1/2 miles south of Marineland". Visibility is still way up. Tons of life out, blue water, flat surface conditions, warm water. Get out there and dive people! It won't last for long.

 

[SPKelpDiver]

Amazing pictures man, and it was indeed an amazing dive. My favorite pictures are both Cabezons, and the Cadalina(?) on the sponge. I will hopefully have a GoPro video of this dive up by the end of the weekend. School has started and I am now a full time student (science major), hence the late reply and lack of video. I still have to finish my Casino point video as well!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I'm sure Merry is wondering what is taking you so long.

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[FrankPro1]

I'm sure Merry is wondering what is taking you so long.

Trust me, I've been hounding Charlie to get it done! He's very particular about his "process". His footage has to be laid out just right, timed to the music, with the right pacing and flow. I went to his place over the weekend and he wouldn't even let me peek at what he had rendered so far. He assures me of a weekend upload, but I'll still continue to barrage him with texts until I see it pop up on youtube.

---------- Post Merged at 08:32 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:30 PM ----------

the Cadalina(?) on the sponge.

Yep your right. He's a Cadlina luteomarginata.

 

[TSandM]

I love that first Cabezon picture. It's hard to call them pretty fish, but I love them, particularly when they get defensive and do their display posture, with all their fins spread out. That's a lovely photo with really nice lighting, to show off a rather fancy homely fish.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Trust me, I've been hounding Charlie to get it done! He's very particular about his "process". His footage has to be laid out just right, timed to the music, with the right pacing and flow. I went to his place over the weekend and he wouldn't even let me peek at what he had rendered so far. He assures me of a weekend upload, but I'll still continue to barrage him with texts until I see it pop up on youtube.

---------- Post Merged at 08:32 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:30 PM ----------



Yep your right. He's a Cadlina luteomarginata.

Wait, I thought the deal was he would shoot video and Grace would edit it.