Kelpscape

Spotted Kelpfish

I think this is a spotted kelpfish although it was larger and more active than they usually are, and in a different color scheme.  He didn't waste much time slithering across the reef.  I was lucky to get the focus as sharp as I did.

Moon Sponge

Of course, algae doesn't grow between craters on the moon.

Little Spotted Kelpfish

This tiny spotted kelpfish was shy but did not move far across the reef at Groovy Wall.  He liked to turn away from the camera but couldn't resist investigating it a couple of times.

Eyes and Filter of a Green Scallop

Eyes of a scallop as well as its filter, used to sift food from the water.  I've heard that the green scallops are female and the orange ones male; or the other way round, or perhaps it's a choice, or perhaps both.  This green one was at the aptly-named dive site Scallop City, off the East End of Santa Rosa.  It's actually in the channel between Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz.  The current was really ripping by the time of tide change; maybe because of a nozzle effect? Those flowing waters must bring lots of food through!

Brown Pelican Dives

The bird book says that only brown pelicans drop straight into the water.  I think that the impact must be hard on their brains.

Hawk

It must be fun to be a hawk, gliding around in space watching the  Earth below.

Occasionally something is worth a second look.

Pipefish on Sand

Pipefish seem to like regions of poor visibility, with lots of little particles in the water.  Maybe their tiny food is more common there.

Pipefish

This pipefish blends in well with kelp and drifting strands of surfgrass at Tajiguas. 

Mayfly

These mayflies have been everywhere this summer, looking like metallic gumdrops.