|
| Mikey Bear and I carpooled up to Dana point to board Dave Hershman's 'Big Deal' for a leisure day of boating 'n diving. Out of the harbor we headed north and found a nice site near Cress Street. The viz was 10' and surge was medium to strong at times. Our second dive site was near the Montage Hotel. Viz was about the same. Although my mission for the day (to capture some shots of a Hopkins Rose) was thwarted, it turned out to be a rather enjoyable day. Thanks to Dave and Mikey.       |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
3/17/2009 - 03-16-09 LJS Monday Night
| Location: Vallecitos Point Descent: 7:25 pm Vis: 10' Depth: 74max / 49avg Temp: 57 avg Time: 67 min Buddys: Terry for about 30 seconds, John Lawton for the whole dive. Spencer and Laura on the swim out. Dive# 132 Photo Album: http://tinyurl.com/d5pydy target=new After fighting some surface chop on the swim out, we dropped into the 57' and proceeded to head in 3 different directions. I'm not sure how it happened, but John and I lost Terry right away. I spent 2-3 minutes holding my hand over my light looking for him, but alas, he was destined to go solo on this night. Continuing on, John and I pressed onward and upward toward the wall catching sight of some stingrays and octos out on the prowl. I did not see the new block and chain, so we must have come up the wall just past it. The first item we saw on the wall was a big fat nobilis, which I really wanted to get a picture of the gill, but alas, my plan was foiled. Further towards the point we found a heart urchin leisurely strolling and looking for a place to crash. I caught a nice series of it digging a new pad. Saw more cool stuff on the way it, like a shrimp eating white string cheese. Nice dive considering the viz was less than stellar. Mike Hallack      |
| Comments (5) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
3/13/2009 - 03-13-09 LJS South Wall Dawn Patrol
| Location: LJS South Wall Descent: 5:40 am Temp: 54 avg (50min) Vis: 10' Shallows / 20' Canyon Current: None Max Depth: 72' Avg Depth: 45' Time: 84 minutes Buddy: Marla Photo Album: http://tinyurl.com/bfmovb Arriving at the crack of dawn we were greeted by 1-2' waves and a -0.1 low tide (according to my awesome Divebums calendar). The serine kick out from V street entry point was a welcomed change from the wind chop slop found early in the week. Dropping into 23fsw, we headed toward the canyon and found ourselves on top of a rusted lobster cage I'd never seen in 45fsw. Rather than head North, we threw caution to the wind, and headed out along the South wall. In the bitter cold darkness we found a plethora of critters and what looked like another engine block. My highlight was a pair or Janolus barbarensis frolicking in the detritus. After turning the dive and heading for the exit, the rising sun provided a beautiful haze of ambient light that always seems to make these early morning wakeup calls worth while. It was good to see Marla back in the water after an extended dry spell. Thanks for the dive and the cup o' coffee that helped thaw some seriously numb fingers/toes. Mike Hallack http://www.mydivinglife.com/SoCalSwami/       |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
3/10/2009 - LJS night dive 03-09-09
Location: Vallecitos Point
Time: 7pm Time: 74 minutes Max Depth: 76' Avg Depth: 46' Photo Album: http://tinyurl.com/ack3y4 Conditions looked a bit suspicious when we arrived. The sea had some wind chop and short intervals between waves, however, entry proved to be rather easy. Upon dropping into 25fsw, visability couldn't have been more than 8'. Yuck :( But once hit the canyon, it opened up to soldi 20' :) Doto Amyra and my first Coffee Bean Snail were the highlights. Coffee Bean =)  Picta and Maculata Hanging out:  Doto Amyra  Greenling with eggs:  |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
3/6/2009 - LJS night dive 03-05-09 Stubby Squid!
| Location: Vallecitos Point Descent: 7:18pm Vis: 5' shallows / 20' Canyon Depth: 78'max / 48'avg Temp: 54 avg (Colder minimum) Time: 74 min Buddies: Kim, Terry Photo Album: http://tinyurl.com/caxdjc Two new critters for me, a Stubby Squid (Rossia pacifica) and Corambe steinbergae. Canyon viz was clear but chilly. Link to Stubby Info page on The Cephopod Page: http://www.thecephalopodpa ~Mike       |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
2/22/2009 - 022109 LJS Sat Night Dive
| Location: LJS Vallecitos Point Descent: 8:23 pm Vis: 10-15' Max Depth: 84' Avg Depth: 43' Temp: 55' Time: 67 minutes Buddies: Mikey Bear, Scott McGee Some days you just have to roll with the tide, and today was one of them. After starting out the day playing golf or 5 hours with my dad out at Lake San Marcos, Dad shot 87, Mike 88 (triple bogie'ng last hole :() I rested a few hours before Scott picked me up. We were headed for the slip dock of the Scuba Doo for my maiden voyage for a 1tank dive to the Yukon. Upon arriving, we suited up and loaded up only to find the Scuba Doo was not going to cooperate with us. The motor had a sputtery sound and would die when the gas was applied. Oh well. Roll'ing... Fortunatly, we had all the necessary gear for shore dive, so I packed back-up and headed to V street to meet up with Mikey. Scott and I leisurely watched the underwater lights of some fellow divers enjoying the canyon for a few minutes until Mikey arrived and we all suited up. The surf was a meager 2-3' and made entry no problem. We kicked out and dropped into 20 something feet and found the canyon just 20' to the north. While Mikey and Scott headed North at first, I broke from the play to head north, and turned them around to visit engine blocks and the point. We dropped down the canyon wall to 80' to find interesting white ledges and such. Mikey called the place Zion, sounds like a good name for it. To find it, go to old engine block, and down, than back up to new engine block to find main wall again. So, we continued our way to the upper point and crossed over to Main wall, and out to point. Spotting a few dozen squid along the way, most looking very 'blue-collar' and beat up. We turned the dive a tad earlier than usually, but worked out fine because I was freezing. Shots of the Scorpion fish eating a squid and the tiny yellow crab I need to id, and some squid mating were the highlights. T'was a great way to spend a Saturday night. Mike Hallack Mike's Album: http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk145/SoCalSwami/Diving%202009/022109%20shores%20night/?albumview=grid Scott's Photo's: Pictures:
      |
| Comments (5) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
2/15/2009 - 021509 - The Day of The Whale
Seeking relief from the extended diving drought due to wind and rain, Spencer and Kim decided a dive was in order and text'd me for a dive at high noon. Little did I know it would be one of my finest dives EVER!
As Kim mentioned in her report, our first encounter with the Mr. Whale (presumable a Grey) was on a section of wall just N/E of The Point. While glancing down the slope in hopes of catching glimpse of a Horn Shark or maybe a D. Iris, I was over-whelmed to see a West-bound Greyhound Bus passing before my eyes. Having seen a handful of whales from topside perspective, I can say for certain, nothing prepares you for seeing one of these monoliths underwater.
After staring in disbelief for 2-3 seconds, my first reaction was to signal my buddies rather than take a picture. Doh! Taking what seemed like forever for them to turn around, I nearly pulled off Kim's fin in hope of sharing this amazing sight. But as we turned round, I saw only a fleeting second of the fluke plunge into the dark depths below. Neither Kim nor Spencer saw it. Dang me!
As I attempted to indicate the thing I saw was "HUGE" [arms stretched wide]. They both looked at me like I had seen a sea lion. yah. yah, that's great mike.
Mike: "No Really, It Was THIS big".
Spencer: [hand on head] "Was it a shark?"
Mike: "NO, Bigger!"
Spencer: "Ok Mike" [presumablly thinking I saw an oversized sea line]
The next 5 minutes of the dive were a blur until we reached the new section of wall and investigate the "new block and chain".
Moving on, Kim steered us to the "old" block to confirm it was still in place.
After clearing the safety stop, I started to get a bit queazy from the large floating particles in the water and signaled I wanted to ascend. When I turned back round, there he was again, no more than 8' away. A frick'n Grey Whale in 12' of water! Amazing!
In a fit of insanity I made a few swift kicks in hopes of brushing my hand against the mid section of this magnificent creature. But once I got to within 4', I realized the business end of the monster would be passing by any second and sudden fear of being crushed flashed before me. So I eased up and watched as the fluke passed just beyond arms reach.
I don't suppose I'll ever see another whale as close as the one I saw today; this was truely a once in a lifetime experience.
We are all lucky to dive such a world class location, some are just luckier than others ;)
Dive well,
Mike
Photo Album:
Sorry, no whale pictures :(
http://tinyurl.com/cd5y85 *** KIM'S REPORT *** [Divebums] La Jolla Shores Sun 021509 - WE SAW A WHALE UNDERWATER How do you like that for a subject line - talk about a once in a lifetime dive. We also found a new engine block and part of the main wall has collapsed.
Location: LJS Vallecitos Point to the engine block
Descent: 12:44pm
Vis: 15 at the point, 5 tops above 40 feet and full of salad
Depth: 70 max 47 avg
Temp: 51 min and 52 avg, yes chilly with a leaky wrist and slushy dryglove
Bottom time: 66 mins
Buddies: Spencer and Mike H
I'll just give the short version of the dive because its all that matter. We were along the point when I saw this flashing light and really firm tug on my fin, I turn around and Mike is giving me the signal he saw something HUGE, Spencer asked if it was a shark, no but it was HUGE and then Mike makes this motion with him arm of how it moved I thought Dolphin cause it couldn't be a Whale. Mike keeps looking for HUGE as he was beginning to think he was crazy and even signaled that he must be and lets move on. As we moved north almost to the draw with the engine block I got really excited to see some really impressive new wall. The main wall has collapsed and created a new shear wall in its place. Even more exciting is the engine block Mike found 15ft down the slope. At first I thought it was the old one we've seen for so long and had gotten displaced but this one has no growth on it and has some chain laying next to it with link big enough for me to put my hand thru and pick up. We swam up to the engine block to verify it was still there and it is, so this one is new. This new wall and block are just south of the almost buried engine block we've seen the last couple years.
Spencer says he's ready to go in so we head in, lots of salad and a good amount of surge, at 12 feet Mike tells me he's going up, so I look to my right and check for Spencer, and we both look forward for Mike who is frantically flailing to get our attention and Spencer and I see this Fluke move up and down in front of us, not 5 feet from our faces, and its gone. I grabbed Spencers arm to make sure I wasn't dreaming and he had seen what I had seen and we follow Mike to the surface and we all started screaming with glee and exclamations and what have you and we all turn to face west and there it is again, the head of the Whale comes out of the water not 30 feet away from us but now it is west of us and goes back down and we didn't see it again. Immediately we ask Mike is that what you saw at the point, YES YES YES.
Amazing, dive of a lifetime!!!!
*** SOME SHOTS FROM THE DAY ***F. stearnsi   The new engine block  Diver Kim Mitchell above new engine block  You can see the surrounding chain in background.  |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
2/5/2009 - 02-03-09 LJS Tues Night Party
| Site: La Jolla Shores Viz: 10-15' Surge/Current: Moderate Waves: ankle slappers A balmy 57deg I joined Terry, Kim and a new dive buddy for me, John Lawton on an 85 minute stroll around Vallecitos Point last night.The conditions were ideal: no waves, nice visibility and some great buddies. Aside from usual assortment of Octopus, Sculpins, Hermit crabs, Copepods, Diaulula nobilis, Armina californica, Geitodoris heathi, and Doriopsilla albopunctata, we were treated to some other slightly less regulars (for me at least): Purple Globe Crab and a Juvi Giant Sea Bass (GSB). We also captured the image of an thing I'm not sure about. I imagine it is the insides of some critter, but don't know for sure. In honor of my favorite buddies, I would like to nominate February as "Buddy Awareness Month". Cheers! Link to Photo Album: http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/k...albumview=grid      |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
2/1/2009 - 013109 LJS Saturday morning
| The recent drop in wave height has lead to some better conditions. Terry, Kim, Scott and I entered the water a little after 8am for a 70 min dive. The images were of the usual critters including D.robilliardi, Sternsi and other regulars. My second Geitordis heathi and my first Doto amyra.   D. robilliardi  Scott with the WA   Geitodoris heathi   Doto amyra  Hermissenda having lunch.  |
| Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
1/30/2009 - 013009 LJS Dawn Patrol
| Marla and I did a fantastic tour around Main wall this morning finding all kinds of fun stuff. Conditions have improved markedly over last weeks storm pounded crud. Viz: 15' Temp: 55 Marla pointed out several items of note on this dive, a jovial Janolus, a magnificant Maculata, and a sizable Sheaphead that had backed itself into a cave and was feeling camera shy. Lots of Pricei and Hermissenda to be found in shallows. Thanks for another great dive Marla.      |
| Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
1/22/2009 - 012109 LJS North Wall
| Nice dive with Mike B, Kim and Terry Viz was ok, but the Southern current was monstrous. After diving the North Wall twice on air, I realize 32% is nearly a requirement for this dive. Even just 3 minutes at the base of the wall sucked out a huge amount of my NDL. The rest of the dive I was around ~65fsw on the upslope of the wall and then hanging at 20fsw over everyone on the last 8 minutes of the swim back before we hit the sand and finished off my obligation. Some nice photos despite some uncertainty with the strobe last night. Oh, the last picture is of some green pee looking thing. Could it be and egg casing of some kind? http://s279.photobucket.com... Ocean Whitefish were out cruis'n  D. robilliardi laying eggs  Found a divebums reference that looks similar Metridium senile Pretty sure it's a tinu Flabellina trilineata  The mystery green pod thing. Any ID help?  |
| Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
1/19/2009 - 011509 Pt Loma - Anchor Mgt / NROD / Lazy Dayz
| We were fortunate to have fantastic conditions last week for our 3 tank dives out to Pt Loma aboard the Marissa. Other than a bit crowded, we all had a great time. Two new nuds for me: Babakina festiva (no photo :( and Ancula pacifica (terrible picture :( Spotted Grey whales on both surface intervals and managed a descent shot of the fluke with my zoomless P&S camera. Thanks to Marla, Kim and Terry for some great diving buddies. I got to meet Mike B, Kevin L for the first time. It was a real pleasure getting to talk with them topside about their setups and photography in general. Also meet Tony So and Sylvana for the first time. Photo Album          |
| Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
1/19/2009 - 011709 LJS Sat night dive
| Met up with Kim, Terry and Tony for a leisure dive through the crap patch. I captured a nice shot of my first Janolus barbarensis and Kim showed me my first Corambe pacifica.  Janolus barbarensis Northern Kelp Crab Dirona picta Dirona picta Dendronotus robilliardi |
| Comments (3) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
1/13/2009 - 011209 LJS - Camera Catastrophe
*** Mike's Report *** With the exception of said camera problems, the dive was fantastic. Conditions were excellet.
At several points throughout the dive, I lost track of being me and became the camera. Maybe it was the meclizine I took for the first time in anticipation of a boat trip this Thursday. If so, Thurs can't get here soon enough.
As Kim pointed out, the Dirona were everywhere, never seen that many of them. And the Robilliardi I saw on the exit was*fat*, at least 2" long (ok maybe it was 1-1/2").
Luckily, the guilt associated with having a great dive while you buddy is flooding her camera was offset by her gracious nature and a warm drink after the dive.
Thanks for the dive
Mike
Photo Album: http://tinyurl.com/a636hu          |
|
| Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
1/10/2009 - 011009 LJS with the DMX
| Location: Vallecitos Point Descent: 9:23am Vis: 8-10' Depth: 104max / 49avg Temp: 53deg Time: 71min Surf: 2-3, smaller on exit Buddies: Roy Photo album: http://tinyurl.com/9bjan8 The first thing I noticed today was the great visibility topside. From Carlsbad I could see snow covered mountains to the North and wide open ocean to the west. After meeting up with Roy and the guys from the Dive Matrix, we geared up and headed out. I talked him into starting our dive south of the point and progressing our way north. We dropped into ~25fsw and made contact with the wall within a few minutes. Because the viz was rather poor at the wall, we continue down in hopes of better viz. Around 80' things cleared up a bit and stayed that way to 100'. Our descent took us to the detritus patch at the base of the South wall, so we lingered there for a few minutes before making a lateral ascent back up to the wall. A slight northerly current carried us past some friendly octos and other assorted critters. At one point (just short of the point), while turning to look for Roy over my left shoulder, I was nearly run over by some furious hand swimming divers intent on seeing the point. They took me a bit by surprise I must admit. After snapping few final shots of a lovely Chestnut cowrey, we decided to head in. I am proud to report the new p-valve I installed worked flawlessly. The tubing used was 1/4" fuel line from home improvement store and the caths were Rochester widebands. Thanks to those who responded to my divebums request for info on tubing. There was some confusion however, as one repondant offered his condolances saying "1/4" hose fits you? Your poor man". uhm, thanks? Finally, I was quite happy with my new(to me) Nitek computer on it's first outing. Mike Hallack        |
| Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
12/31/2008 - 123108 LJS - Last one in '08
| *** Report copied from Marla *** ‘Twas a foggy cold morning at The Shores………….
La Jolla was socked in this morning. After kicking for a few minutes, the palm trees were no longer visible, and I kept checking my compass to make sure we weren’t swimming in circles. After what seemed like a reasonable about of swim time, we dropped down in about 16 fsw, and made our way out to the canyon, landing just north of Vallecitos Point.
Vis was about 10 feet, maybe 15 in some places. My computer was stuck on 55F the entire dive – on the surface and at 65 feet – who stole the thermocline? Highlights on the point were Stearn’s aeolids, white spotted dorids, San Diego dorid, chestnut cowrys, sarcastic fringeheads, large octos peering out of their holes, and the biggest brown rockfish I have ever seen. A great way to spend 81 minutes!
My drysuit kept me toasty warm the whole time, and I didn’t notice how cold my hands got until I got back to the car and tried to squeeze the buckles on my BCD – nothing was happening! Time to get some dry gloves! My new underwater housing proved itself worthy – no leaks, so next time the camera comes along too.
Thanks Mike and Spencer for the dive! Looking forward to the pics.
Happy New Year everyone!
Marla
Where'd the Palms go?
Tiny little guy.
Marty Feldman
I like the pink highlights in this one.
Marla Cruise'n (might have been a nice silhouette shot with foreground illuminated but the strobe battery decided to die at that moment.
|
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
12/28/2008 - Relief at last
| The recent storm activity has given me time to work on a few diy projects. The latest creation (replica) is p-valve designed in the Salvo style. JamieZ posted a spec sheet for the parts back in '03 on The Deco Stop http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270&highlight=p-valve My parts are turned Delrin and bonded to the suit with Aquaseal. Cut the hole in the suit using heated up golf shaft. Doesn't everyone have one of those lying around? The hose reducer adapter I found at local Grainger outlet. The hose is 1/4" rubber fuel line (until I can find a local Norprene hose supplier). I have both Nylon and Stainless 316 bolts and will try them out to see which I prefer. The new year will be starting off with a blast! Mike     |
| Comments (5) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
12/21/2008 - 122108 LJS - Winter Solstice dive
| Location: Vallecitos Point Descent: ~ 9:15am Time: 50 min Temp: 58 deg Depth: 64 fsw Viz: 10-12' Entry/Exit Press: 3050/1425 Buddy: Mark This dive was originally scheduled for October 2007 when I first talked with Mark online. But between work, trips and general obligations, it took us 14 months to actually make this dive happen. Being our first dive together we talked topside for an hour or so. He talked about his recent dive master training and some of the trips he has been on. He has dove several places I would love to visit. Congrats to Mark on passing DM. Conditions top side were nice. A cool breeze and clear sky made for comfortable gearing up. Considering I arrived at 7, it was also a bit delayed ;) Once we got passed the 2-3' surf, Mark's bunged backup started to free flow and it wouldn't stop. I passing him one of my bolt snaps so he could clip off the primary and use his backup for the dive. The low tide made our surface swim a little shorter but Mark seemed a bit winded about half way past the pier, so we dropped down into 14 fsw and headed SW. We found the wall quicker than I expected (nice) and started towards the point. Along the way I spotted a few octos, one in process of munching on some kind of shellfish. Knowing very little about moluscs (or how to spell them), I will call it a clam. I did find a sweet little yellowfin fringehead I wanted to shoot, but when I turned to check for Mark, I couldn't see him (Mark). When I turned back to find the f.head, he was gone to. So I swam a bit further and bumped into him (Mark) near the point. Saw my only nudi (Spanish Shawl) of the dive on the main wall. We finally rounded the wall up to the engine block were I got one picture of the blenny living on the backside of the block. Cute little guy. At that point, Mark indicated he was getting low on air and chilly so we decided to head in. Along the way I saw nothing. Just some Detritus and kelp but that was it. Not a single ray, fish, nudi or crab. It was like they were all on Christmas break from school and all went home. Mark used his compass on the return swim and placed us pretty close to V street (somewhere halfway between the bathroom and the boat launch) where we exited with little fanfare through the slowly growing surf. After waiting that long for those conditions, it might be another year before Mark and I get out again. Happy Holidays To All Mike BTW, the pictures are my worst effort to date. They can't all be perfect ;) *** Editing Note*** Kim Mitchell's possible ID the shell was Wart-Necked Piddock This is confirmed by the following info from the Common Marine Bivalve of CA http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=kt5f59n7nr&brand=calisphere&doc.view=entire_text Note the "tastes good" factoid :) Also, the size of the take by the octo is huge. Would feed my family for sure. WART-NECKED PIDDOCK Description: One of the largest of the boring clams found on our coast. Thin, whitish, much inflated shells sculptured with concentric ridges at the siphonate end which is separated from the roughened anterior end by an oblique groove. Ventral margins of the valves meeting only at the center. Anterior end open and foot protruding during active burrowing stage and shelled over during later stages when full growth has been attained. Siphons united, extremely long, covered with a brownish epidermis at the base otherwise white with elongate flecks of chitinous material scattered over the exterior giving the siphons a warty appearance. Clam incapable of withdrawing siphons into valves. Length of shell to five inches. Differs from all other pholads by having chitinous "warts" on siphons. Range: Santa Cruz, California, to Turtle Bay, Baja California. Habits: Bores into clay, shale, sandstone or other soft rock on the open coast sometimes to depths of 20 inches. Siphons extend to the surface through a tapered passage which may be an inch in diameter at the surface of the rock. This species can be identified without breaking the rock by the large, mottled, reddish-purple siphon tips. Found in abundance only at Carpinteria and near Santa Cruz. Use: Because of the habitat few people have the patience to chisel a large specimen out of the rock. of excellent flavor and as few as two large clams will feed an average family.  FIGURE 59 *** End Edit *** Feasting Octo with Calm shell on front porch.  Half eaten clam.  Overexposed  Underexposed  out of focus  Ba hum bug. |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
12/13/2008 - 121308 LJS Dive before the Storm
| Location: Vallecitos Point Descent: 7:30am Time: 80min Temp: Chilly but not Cold Surge: Medium Heavy Divers: Mike H, Scott M Based on predictive weather forecasts, and the fact my right elbow has been hurting, the team decided it was best to get a dive in Sat am before the big one hits. With two on scooters and two shooters, we geared up and headed out. The 1-2' waves from yesterday's dawn patrol had been transformed into 2-3' with wind chop blasting my head on the kick out. Luckily the surface current wasn't bad at all and we didn't move too far North. Dropping into 20' we headed NE into the canyon which we followed out to the point. Again, the current wasn't as bad as I expected, so I was able to capture some nice photos of the various critters. The largest critter was a two-spotted Octopus chilli'n at the tippy-top of Vallecitos point. Just hanging out watching the world go buy. I even enticed him out of the slight overhead with a small **** of peek-a-boo with my fingers. No you see it now you don't, Oh looks, now my finger is over hear. It was a treat to see his eyes darting around and then the head started bobbing around, looking for where my finger went. Fun times. Upon getting the finger from my buddy, it was time to head home. Caught a few more pics of some critters in the shallows (Hermissenda, Decorator Crab, 4 or 5' Halibit). Upon exit, we both agreeded the surf had picked up a noticable amount since the start of the dive. Our timing couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks for coming out Scott. Dive Well, Mike Calm before the storm...  Montery and Noble?  Greenling  Backlight on Sterns. I like to make them glow...  My first respectable pic of a juvi sheephead.  My bro  His bro.  Sarcastic Fringehead with dirty lips. Who you been kiss'n  No, back scatter, just not enough light. Scott   |
| Comments (4) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
12/13/2008 - 121208 LJS Dawn Patrol
| *** Kim's Report *** Location: Vallecitos point Descent: 05:41am Vis: 15 mostly or as far as lights would shine Depth: 69 max 45 avg Temp: avg temp of 55, min of 51.75 Time: 78 mins Buddies: Jesus and Mike here's the album if you wish: http://tinyurl.com/6onwus It was very flat this morning at La Jolla, thankfully as we were going out on the incoming tide which was gonna be a doozy at +7feet. No swell meant not having to fight it on the way out. We dropped in and made our way west to the northern edge of Vallecitos Point and had ourselves a very nice drift dive all the way to the point. Yes, there was definitely some southerly current, not bad, just enough to keep you moving without effort. There was also a slight pushing eastward as I found it very difficult to back kick away from the wall, my guess is that was from the incoming tide. Nothing unusual this morning, Octopus, Scorpionfish, Sculpins, Greenlings were very skittish this morning. I found a patch of eggs in the Parchment Worms on top of the wall and wondered if that was why they were so active this morning. Heaths Dorid, Porostomes, Stearns, Doto's, all present. Baby Sheephead, Blacksmith, Giant Kelp Fish too. As we made our way in the southerly current faded but around 18feet we had a northerly current take over, I actually ran into Mike cause I didn't adjust my direction quick enough. Seemed to take forever to get to a spot to stand up with the high tide almost at its peak. I was really happy to finally get to try out my new camera cozy I ordered from Mike Bartick for my new camera and housing. I was starting to notice scratches on the housing that I'm sure was from putting it in my drysuit pocket and taking it out. He did a fantastic job and made a cozy that my housing fits in perfect and even has a little flap with velcro to close it up. Fits in my drysuit pocket very nicely and I found that even with my drygloves I was able to take the camera out and put it back in when done with no hassles. WooooHooooo, oh and it even holds water so after the dive I can fill it and put the housing in it to give it a little soak. Awesome, Thanks Mike, you rock. Thanks for coming out this morning and for coffee after!! Kim *** Mike's Pictures ***     Unknown Worm    |
| Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link |
Michael Hallack Recent Posts* Divereport LJS Sunday pm* 'The Shores' 9/4/2010 - same old * Tanks for the dive... * Big D Iris-palooza * Divereport 8-15-19 LJS **Cumanotus Blue Light Special** Links* MyDivingLife.com* SoCalSwami Blog * View my profile * Archives * My Control Panel RSS
Site Feed
FriendsdivinmanScubaBob wetrat Site CounterView My Stats |
|
Page 2 of 3 Last Page | Next Page |