I like it viewed
large on black. Really please view it this way, it helps
see all the details and puts you in the scene better.
A day off today, and one well spent. The sunny weather, mid-70s
temperatures, reports of great visibility, and a low swell
meant it was time to dive!
My buddy, Eric and I, drove down to Point Lobos State Reserve
for a couple of dives off the kayak. We looked forward to the
chance of seeing all the whales and dolphins. Ok, that's not
entirely true. We did joke about all the whales and dolphins
we would see simply because in all the years (11), I have been
diving in California, I have seen all of one whale and one
dolphin underwater. From far away. Really far away.
Upon entering the reserve, the park employee told us the visibility
reports were "Wow" and "Wow +1". When we asked again, how was
the visibility, the response was "Wow" and "Wow +1"...direct
quotes from divers that dove the reserve the day before. Unfortunately,
I doubt she is a diver herself, and did not quite understand
that we hoped for a number, any number. 40 feet. 30 feet. 80
feet. We were hoping for something more objective than subjective.
Oh well, we would just have to evaluate the conditions ourselves.
Conditions do change, even in 24 hours, so off we dove.
The conditions were promising, the water looked clear, and
it certainly was calm and sunny. And after two dives, we both
agreed. It wasn't quite "Wow" or "Wow +1", but simply "Pleasant"
and "Pleasant +1". And for cold water diving, in winter, I
will take pleasant any day.
These are blue rockfish, Sebastes mystinus, and I
took the photo in Bluefish Cove. What a coincidence! Well,
not really.
Nikon D300
Tokina 10-17mm @ 11mm
1/160sec @ f6.3, ISO 160
Aquatica Housing, Megadome Port
Sea & Sea YS-120 strobes, 1 at full and 1 at half power |
Here's a shot from dive #2. A multi-colored cornucopia of
life thrives in the temperate reefs near where I live. You
can't make this stuff up, it's so crazy down there. Truly another
world. Aquanauts, rejoice!
Nikon D300
Tokina 10-17mm @ 10mm
Aquatica Housing, Megadome Port
Sea & Sea YS-120 strobes, 1 at full and 1 at half power |
