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Dive Report: Montage Resort 'Sea Fan Grotto'Sunday, September 16 Montage Resort Surf: Lulls to 3-4' Swell: Minimal to moderate over the reef structure Surge: Dead Calm to 'Holy Cow Batman, we're FLY'N!' Viz: 10-20' worse on far west side of reef with decline due to particulate and surge Temp: 59' Suunto Max Depth: 27' BT: 81" Buddies: Steve and Kathi Met up with Steve and Kathi this morning at the ungodly hour of 6:30am. Two other buddies bailed due to not feeling well. Parking structure was filling quickly with usual folks for thier weekly meeting. Checked conditions, there was surf intermixed with calm seas. Looked doable. Got geared up and made our way down the long path way to the stairs. Arriving at the water's edge, surf had picked up quite a bit. I think we waited at least 5 minutes before finally entering the surf zone as it flattened out a barage after barage of waves. Kicked out to the outer point and dropped down. The usual suspects were seen including my favorites: Moray Eel, BIG Bat Rays (4'-5' wingspan), Octopi, and Nudi's. Spotted one Nudi I hadn't seen before. Shaped like a spade, it looked like a mini 'offwhite' shag carpet. Kind of reminded me of a Hopkin's Rose, but the Cerata was more dense than that of a Hopkin's Rose. The only nudi ID I could find that comes close is that of a 245. Cumanotus sp. 1 (Eastern Pacific Nudibranchs/ David W. Behrens- Alicia Hermosillo). Has anyone seen this nudi before??? We had a great time exploring all the swim throughs and mini caves, including Laguna's very own 'Sea Fan Grotto.' The grotto itself has become deeper allowing divers to get further inside. Like the Sea Fan Grotto over at Catalina, this is very similar in that it has the beautiful sea fans growing downward from the ceiling of the cave allowing for picturesque photos. Shortly after out turn around point, I became separated from Steve and Kathi due to surge taking me up and over the top of the reef. Unable to locate them, I continued on my way in hopes of crossing paths. On my way in, I found yet another cave that my body gravitated too. Ah, I could squeeze in but my judgement kicked in knowing that I should have a buddy with me, so I continued on my merry way coming across two very large Bat Rays. So Cooooooooooool! ...and I didn't have my camera. Sigh.... I finally decided to head for shore. I exited without incident. I waited to see Kathi and Steve. No signs. They always outlast any diver as far as air consumption, so I figured I would unload my gear, then rejoin them back down on the beach. As I reached the pathway at the top of the stairs, Steve came along. Wow! They exited before me!!! All was good. We followed up our dive with breakfast at Ruby's where we bumped into Bijan who said that surf was picking up quite considerably at Shaw's. Glad we made it to Montage. It's been way too long since I dove this wonderful site! I will definitely be back soon, with buddies to exploret the 'unknown' cave. Jan http://www.webshots.com/user/Artistic_Treasures ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Live to Dive, Dive to Live!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://mydivinglife.com/DiverJan http://www.socdc.com http://www.southcoastdivers.com 5:01 PM - 9/16/2007 - post comment
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Description My blog is about ...what else? DIVING and UW Photography! I dive on a regular basis off the coast of Southern California beaches and near by islands. I also like to camp and dive, traveling to Baja and Central and Northern California. On occassion, I also like to travel abroad to explore other regions. This is what my Blog is about...sharing my Passion (Obsession) for Diving! Home User Profile Archives Friends My Photo Journal My favorite Beach Diving group My favorite local dive club My favorite Beach Diving group in the Valley ie Malibu My favorite Diving News List Recent Entries - Tour De Laguna Part Deux 'Nudi and Sunflower Heaven' - San Jaun Rocks, Dana Point California - OML Rock-N-Roll/ Vet's Park - Shaw's Cove/ Wood's Cove 'Miller's Reef' x2 - Catalina Island (SCI Substitute) |