8/21/2007 - YAMDR

Yet Another Marineland Dive Report.
I arrived about a half hour before sunrise to find the gates still locked. So much for the Coastal Commission. It didn't matter, as the trail is still plowed under in places. I pulled my little red wagon through the hole in the fence and headed down to the cove. It was nice to gear up without the hot Sun beating down on my neck.
The surf was up today, with sets of three to four feet. Fortunately there were long lulls between the sets. I timed my entry and headed for the Point. Despite the six foot vis I was able to locate the statues this time. They each have encrusting sponges, algae, limpets, tube worms, nudibranch eggs and black eyed gobies sitting on them. The Jesus Blob even has a white urchin for a hat.
I didn't find many nudibranchs today. Perhaps the floating snot in the water scared them away.
As I made my way back to the cove the vis deteriorated to zero. I cut my dive short (51 minutes) and timed my exit. I walked out without a problem. On Sunday with lake-like conditions I tripped on a rock in six inches of water and fell. Go figure.

Barnacle and tiny anemone living on a finger sponge

The Jesus Blob. It used to be a plaster statue. All that remains is the concrete and sand screw.

Our Lady of the Garden

The life on the statues appears to be very healthy.

Hermissenda crassicornis on a mission.

Sea cucumber

Sunstar