Kelpscape

Bat Ray Expldes from Sand

Usually it seems like the Bat Rays are sitting on the sand.  They take off when a diver approaches -- or when they get bored.

Angel Shark

Angel sharks, stealth predators, have not been seen in these waters for a number of years, but have returned with El Nino.  This angel shark was at Tajiguas a couple of weeks ago.

Stream of Silversides

Silversides formed streams and rivers amid the kelp.  But when I moved, the streams shifted instantly.

Hordes of Silversides

This incredible mass of silversides at Tajiguas today included jack mackerel and Pacific chub mackerel -- and maybe some sardines!  They all dropped to the bottom when some fast-swimming predators passed by overhead; they looked like machete to me, with sharp tails, swimming very fast. I was surprised not to see cormorants, either on shore or fishing. The water was 73F, and the visibility was certainly 100 ft in spots.  It seemed to get slightly worse further out; some cold water may still be coming in.

Sardines with Kelp

Sardines swirled at Tajiguas yesterday. They seemed to rest amid the kelp, and emerge from time to time to feed below the surface in large, loose schools. When I approached their resting place, they would at first recoil, then come over and circle a few times, closer and closer, to investigate. Thanks to El Nino it was 72 F even at 40 feet depth. I dived in a 3mm wetsuit without a hood. I saw a Pacific Barracuda: I'd never seen this off the coast, or this far north. The kelp appears to be holding up for the time being, although I saw quite a few dead sheep crabs.

Kelp Bass at Tajiguas

Kelp bass follow me around in a big school. I think they are waiting for me to cause trouble, so that they can find something to eat. Whenever I turn around, they act all innocent: "Who, me? Just passing through!"

Sardines at Tajiguas

I think that these are sardines. Maybe one of the fish ID pros can tell me if they are instead topsmelt or anchovies, instead. It was 72F, with 30 ft visibility.  Some swell is coming in and I expect it will cloud up.  

Tajiguas After the Oil Spill

I dived Tajgiuas today, for the first time since the oil spill.  Above 25 ft, the visibility was the best I've seen off the beach: 50ft? More?  And, the temperature was 72F. El Nino is on his way to us!  Below 25', the visibility was probably 3ft and the temperature was 66F.  Quite a few sea creatures seemed to be enjoying the clear conditions, including an angel shark and a small octopus. A school of anchovies kept buzzing me, coming within a foot or so. There was plenty of kelp: maybe the fronds seemed more brittle than usual. 

Kelp Rockfish at Tajiguas

This Kelp Rockfish was curious and followed me around through his area of kelp before approaching to examine the camera lens.  This image is from March 2015, a couple of months before the oil spill at Refugio Beach.