Cordova Dive Blog

Dianne and I dive the Big Coral Knoll

2012-02-07T22:23:00.024-05:00

Dianne and I got a late start in large part because I discovered a short in the strobe cord and had to replace it. We got to the beach and descended on the reef about 9:00 am. I tried to reach the Fish Camp Rocks, but ended up at the Swept Rock, so we toured the Big Coral Knoll.

No turtles today, not even the Greens. The strobe worked, though, and I got some good pictures. For example, I really like this photograph of the French Grunt eyeing the Juvenile Yellowtail Damselfish

I also got some good shots of a Spanish Hogfish, who was following a Sharptail Eel who was hunting on the Knoll. In fact, there were several fish, including a Slippery Dick, following the eel and hoping to claim some part of the eel's prey for themselves.

Got several shots of this Queen Angelfish, who would swim off, but then come back to see what I was doing.

The Scrawled Filefish was not as curious, but he did let me get close enough for some good shots.

We swam over to the Fish Camp Rocks and found two Porcupinefish under one of the bigger rocks on the East side of the rocks. He had an odd smile. Also got a picture of a large Sand Perch while swimming back to the beach.

Dianne fell on the beach in shallow water, and even though I dropped my gear to help her, the life guard had to come down to help me pick her up. Pretty sad that she and I could not get her back on her feet. The Life Guard was nice enough about it though.

Diving Solo on the Big Coral Knoll

2012-02-06T11:40:00.020-05:00

Dianne came over this morning to go diving, but her heart was not in it. It took forever to get her into a plush skin Matt had loaned her. When we got to the beach, it was one thing after another, so I took her home and then came back to make a solo dive.

There was a moderate East wind and some 3-4 ft breakers at the sand bar, but I got out easily enough. Swam to the reef and descended over the old block. Found a few blennies to photograph, but the connection had slipped on the hot shoe and I had no strobe. Still, they came out pretty well.

Caught a rather large Scamp trailing me and very curious about what I was doing.

Swam up to a Purplemouth Moray Eel who was out hunting. I got a couple of shots while he was still exposed, but he quickly headed under a coral head.

I ended up on the Big Coral Knoll, even though I had thought I was headed due East to the Fish Camp Rocks. Well, at least it was someplace I recognized. Found a juvenile Yellowtail Damselfish on the Knoll and got several good shots.

I also ran into a Hawksbill Sea Turtle. First one I have seen for a while. The turtle was not concerned about me and we swam together for 10-15 minutes.

I also spotted a large Green Sea Turtle on the Knoll, but never got close enough to get a good shot.

I spotted a Giant Anemone with a Squat Anemone Shrimp on top, but by the time I got a shot, the shrimp had disappeared into the tentacles.

Ran into another Purplemouth Moray on the way back to the beach. I was chilled after 86 minutes in the water. I was wearing my rash guard, a sleeveless vest and some 1 mm shorts. Still, it was nice to be out of the wetsuit.

Marc Langenol's First Open Water Dives

2012-02-05T14:56:00.043-05:00

Marc was on time to the apartment, but Rita did not show. We waited 15 minutes then headed to the beach. Of course, when I got to the beach I noticed that I did not have my dive flag, so we headed back to the apartment for the flag. When we got back to the beach, Luis and Leo were waiting for us.

We geared up and got in. There was a mild breeze from the East and some surf, but it wasn't too bad. We swam out to the reef to descend. Visibility was about 3 feet over the sand and opened to maybe 15 feet on the reef. Marc had a little trouble with his ears, but got it worked out. We headed East.

Did not see the Little Coral Knoll, but saw a lot of familiar corals and rocks, including one coral that had been worked over by some Parrotfish. We were close to the Knoll, but it didn't matter in our limited visibility. We didn't see it.

I could hardly see Marc in the haze. We did see an octopus duck under a coral head. He inked us and I got some shots of the ink hanging in the water, but I was too slow to get a shot of the octopus, itself.

Marc was low on air before we got to the end of the reef, but we must have been close. We turned and came back, again looking for the Knoll. We didn't find it. He was down to 800 psi and I had him use my alternate air source as we swam in. He was having some trouble staying down, as well.

We were out for about an hour to warm up, then made a second dive. I put another 4 pounds on Marc: 12 pounds. Marc and I got in the water first to go through his skills. He did fine. Luis and Leo joined us and we headed East.

This time, we spotted the bucket, but swimming at 120 degrees did not bring us to the Knoll. We did find some Staghorn Coral with White Grunts and several juveniles.

I also spotted a Banded Coral Shrimp under a coral head and got a pretty good shot.

Marc and I turned back when he got low on air. This time, however, I did not put him on my air until he was down to 500 psi. We were still on the reef when we buddied up to share my air.

I got a good shot of an Intermediate Gray Angelfish, but swimming together, we could not get very close to the fish.

We also found some lobster under a coral head.

Marc seemed to have better control of his buoyancy this time and we swam together pretty well. We got to the beach about 20 minutes before Luis and Leo came in.

Teaching Swimming

2012-01-31T12:56:00.001-05:00

A friend and former student recently contacted Dianne and wanted to know if Dianne would teach her friend to swim so that the friend could later take the diving class with me. Dianne asked me and we decided to give it a try.

Dianne has been swimming forever and taught swimming for several years to children. Children, however, are fearless. Teaching adults is another matter.

She spent some time working on buoyancy and breathing.

Breathing out of the nose at the appropriate time is a lot more difficult than it looks. This becomes more challenging when you cannot breath in through your nose.

Leonardo Paez Completes the Deep Diver Specialty Course

2012-01-29T14:52:00.028-05:00

I took a group of five students out on ScubaTyme Sunday afternoon. The plan was to dive a shallow wreck, then we would make a deep dive on the back side of the 3rd Reef Line. The current was ripping though the Sea Emperor dive site, however, so the boat changed the plan to two drift dives. We went deep, instead.

Although I took the Intova, I never took any pictures on the deep dive. What you see here are from our second drift dive on Turtle Ledge. The boat dropped us in the water, we grouped up and descended together. Trisha had some difficulty, but we straightened that out and next thing you know, we are at 135 feet.

Victor Heras did not quite believe it. There was still light and the pressure felt the same. There was a current, however, and the flag pulled me. Nick Holtzhausen took the flag while I times Leo and Victor. They each opened their combination locks in about the same time it took at the surface, suggesting that neither of them suffered from nitrogen narcosis.

We began our ascent when Victor reached 1200 psi. We made 1 minute Pyle stops at 65 and 32 feet, then a 3 minute safety stop at 15 feet. Then we surfaced. The boat was away picking up other divers, but we were picked up within 15 minutes of surfacing.

We made a 55 minute surface interval before our second dive. The second dive was a drift dive over Turtle Ledge, which is a North/South running reef at 45 feet that falls off to 60 feet to the West and the deep Atlantic to the East. We saw a lot of Initial Phase and some Terminal Phase Creole Wrasse.

Leo took pictures on both dives.

We also saw Blue Chromis like the one pictured here.

Guillermo was not feeling well and missed the first dive, but joined us for this second dive.

We also spotted an Orange Spotted Filefish.

and some White Spotted Filefish.

Solo Diving off the Pelican Grand

2012-01-28T13:22:00.000-05:00

Luis could make only one dive and it was after 10:00 when we got to the truck, so I moved up to the Pelican Grand to get in the water away from the evil eyes of the life guards. I spent some time fixing the camera and checking to see that the strobe would fire, then got in the water. I swam out to the reef and headed South. I got some shots, but again, the strobe would not fire. I have no idea why.

I set the camera up for natural light and got some pictures anyway. I followed the edge of the reef South to my old marker for the Ledge of Turtles. The railing is no longer there. The red sponge is no longer there. All that remains is the base of the sponge and a small pile of rocks where the railing used to be. Its enough.

I headed out at 120 degrees and found a Pederson Shrimp on a Corkscrew Anemone just as I got on top of the ledge.

I was worried because I never saw the mid-way rocks, but then I noticed a small school of Porkfish to the SW and swam over to investigate and found the Ledge of Turtles. On the South side of the Ledge I found a Giant Anemone and this Spotted Cleaner Shrimp.

I also found a Rock Hind who was both curious about me and afraid of me.

There were two Green Turtles, a large one and a very small one. I got some pictures, but they were spooked and kept me at a distance.

I went back to the beach at 300 degrees and found the mid-way rocks. I was not far off on the way up, but in poor visibility, it was enough to miss them.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks with Luis

2012-01-28T10:11:00.001-05:00

Luis met me at the beach at 7:30 am and we geared up and swam out to the reef to descend on our mark. We then swam slowly at 90 degrees. I got a few pictures of some little blenny I cannot yet identify. The strobe worked fine for my test shot at the truck and for several of these shots of the blenny, but then it just stopped.

I thought maybe it was the cable, itself, that had a short, but as I looked, I could see that the connection was broken at the hot shoe. So I put the strobe away and adjusted the exposure so I could shoot with natural light. Some pictures came out well and others did not.

I got several good pictures of a Midnight Blue Parrotfish at the Fish Camp Rocks. Because I had to set the exposure for natural light, I had be wait for the fish to hold still or everything was blurred.

We also toured around the Big Coral Knoll and I got some shots of a Scrawled Filefish. Again, I had to wait for the fish to stop or the shot just wasn't going to be any good.

Some fish seemed to pose for me. Others, not so much. This White Grunt was in the former group, and I appreciated the cooperation.

I really like the expression on this Bluestripped Grunt.

This Chub also slowed down and let me get a shot before he went tearing off.

On the way back to the beach, we encountered what I first thought was a Guitarfish, but now think is a Lesser Electric Ray. This is the first Electric Ray I have spotted on the First Reef Line.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks with Calvin

2012-01-26T12:59:00.082-05:00

Calvin had a workout yesterday and was a little laate this morning. We got to the beach about 7:45 am. The wind was 8-12 knots from the SSE. Surf was bigger than it has been, but not too difficult. We made our surface swim to the Ledge and then made the three ascents he needed for certification.

When we dropped, there was a tire next to us, but there was a moderate current that pushed us to the South. When we finished the ascents, we looked for a tire, but had to swim East to find one. We also found a lobster trap filled with reef fish.

Calvin tied off the line and attached it to the lift bag with a sheet bend. I lifted the tire first, making sure to keep control by letting air out as we ascended. Then Calvin did it, but I don't think he quite understood what I wanted. Nonetheless, he maintained control and got the tire up and back down safely.

We fooled around a bit trying to get all of the air and water out of the lift bag, then we swam back to the beach. For reasons I don't understand, I was light. I struggled to stay down and had to pick up a couple of rocks to balance me out. I blew through my air.

We took a long surface interval so that Calvin could look at the 6 table problems I gave him Tuesday. He has trouble deciding how to handle the problems and did poorly on them. I was going to have him take the final, but even though I remembered to bring the exam, I did not bring an answer sheet, so we killed time until I could get another parking sticker.

On our second dive, we swam to the reef and descended on the 100 degree bearing off the Lifeguard Tower, then swam 90 degrees and found the Fish Camp Rocks. The tide was low and the current was slight. The surf had been up, so I brought the Intova instead of the Canon.

There were a lot of fish around the Fish Camp Rocks, but I saw a Spotted Burrfish duck under one of the rocks and went after a picture. I took several, but the light was patchy under the rock and the fish was not cooperating.

From the Fish Camp Rocks we swam to the Pillar Coral with the extended polyps. This used to be a very healthy and vibrant coral, but the sea was rough this Fall and there are now a number of areas where the coral has died. Too bad.

From the Pillar Coral we swam to the Big Coral Knoll. There were a number of French and White Grunts as well as several Spanish Hogfish.

I spotted a Golden Tail Moray Eel, but you can barely see it in the picture.

I also spotted a small Green Sea Turtle, but could not get close to it.

We swam back past the Swept Rock, the Perpendicular Rocks and out to the Bubble Rocks before turning West and heading back to the beach. Buoyancy was fine this dive.

Calvin Barnard's First Open Water Dives

2012-01-25T10:56:00.049-05:00

I had a new Open Water student start on Monday. His name is Calvin Barnard and he is South African. Since I found the knoll yesterday, I decided to take Calvin there for his first two dives. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

The air temperature was warm and the day was sunny. The water could have been warmer, but it was not bad. We headed East from the middle entry point just as I had yesterday, but I did not find anything I recognized. We swam out farther, then came back and came across the Tiny Knoll.

I went up to verify that it was the Tiny Knoll, then went back down and headed North. I almost swam past the Knoll, though, but I just happened to glance to the West and saw the Coral head on the NE edge of the Little Coral Knoll. Calvin and I looked around, but I had taken the Intova, not the Canon, so I didn't try to get many pictures.

I took the Canon on the second dive and got a good shot of a Smooth Trunkfish coming straight at me. The picture would have been better if I could have been lower and looking up. Still, it's a good picture.

I found and photographed a small Great Horseshoe Worm.

I also got a portrait of a Yellow Jack

and a Porkfish.

My favorite is this picture of a Blue Stripped Grunt.

We had trouble finding the Knoll on the second dive. We spent 42 minutes of our 79 minute dive looking for the Little Coral Knoll. I saw the bucket. I saw the 3 concrete blocks. I saw the really tall coral we saw on the first dive. Got a picture of Calvin coming over that coral head.

Verdes and I dive the Little Coral Knoll

2012-01-24T22:33:00.053-05:00

Verdes stopped by the apartment yesterday and asked if he and a woman from the Bridge could come diving this morning. She apparently wanted to take advantage of the deeply discounted price for Bridge guests. Verdes came by at 7:30 am as agreed, but his friend failed to appear.

Apparently, she just decided to stay in bed rather than come diving. Why didn't she just say she was lazy and not interested? It's like the people who approach me at the beach and want a business card. They say they want to learn to dive, but they never do anything to make it happen.

I got gear for Verdes and we drove to the beach. The wind was not bad, but from the East, so there was more surf than we have had lately. We got in without any trouble. I took the Canon 5d Mk 2 with a 100mm macro lens. We headed out looking for the Little Coral Knoll.

The swim buoy was no longer, so I headed East from the middle entry. We swam a long way, but I found nothing I recognized, so I headed back a little SW and found a rectangular concrete block that I recall was due North of the Knoll. I headed South and sure enough, there it was.

The Little Coral Knoll was a little disappointing, though. There were a number of French and White Grunts, but not a lot of other life. We saw Sergeant Majors, butterflyfish and Angelfish. We saw no turtles.

Lots of Juvenile Cocoa Damselfish, but they darted around frenetically. It was very difficult to get a good shot of them.

Got some shots of a Neon Goby on a coral head. The picture I entered in the Underwater Photography contest at underwaterphotography.com has garnered 25 votes, but it was a photo of the goby in mid-water with a well blurred background.

I was hoping to find some Midnight Blue Parrotfish, but none were around. I did find a nice Stoplight Parrotfish, who let me get a few good shots.

I like these Sand Divers. They are so patient, yet deadly.

I found this Scrawled Cowfish on the sand on the way back to the beach. I like the way they change colors. It was a fine dive and pretty good visibility, too.

Diving the Little Coral Knoll

2012-01-22T20:27:00.000-05:00

Dianne and I were late getting away, but Luis pulled up beside us at the light at Sunrise and A1A. We parked at Tower 15 and got ready to dive. Leo showed up about 10 minutes later. Peter Restivo did not show up while we were on the beach. .

We swam out to the reef, but there was no swim buoy so I had no mark upon which to fix a bearing. We simply swam at 300 degrees and took photos whenever there was something to shoot, which was not all that often. Luis and Leo got separate from Dianne and I somehow during the first 30 minutes of the dive. We swam more SE and eventually ended up at the Porthole rocks, which were essentially destroyed this Fall.

I got my bearing and was headed back to the Little Coral Knoll when I started overbreathing my regulator. I knew that the valve must not be fully on and tried to get Dianne to turn it on for me, but she wanted to go to the surface to talk about it. I wanted to stay on bearing and get to the Knoll. She went up. I took my gear off, turned on the valve and started towards the Knoll, but I was on my on. So I finally went up.

Dianne complained that she was out of air, which would be quite unusual as I still had 1200 psi. I assumed that she had not turned her tank on, but when checked, it was fully on. I did not think to check her pressure gauge. Turns out she still had 1200 psi, too, but thought she was out of air because the regulator was breathing differently. Who could know. Having now swum and drifted well off the bearing I gave up and she and I swam in together. Luis and Leo joined us and we swam to the beach together.

I was wearing the Lavacore suit again and had been okay for the whole dive, but I passed on a second dive because I wanted to go to the Shell Show. The Broward Shell Club was hosting the 47 annual Broward Shell Show in Pompano Beach this weekend. They offered Shell Identification clinics, free admission and free parking. I wanted to go.

So Dianne and I went home, unpacked the truck and I downloaded my pictures. I was editing them and falling asleep, so I decided on a nap. Of course I woke up at 3:00 pm, just 30 minutes before the Show closed. Great. Maybe next year.

Wearing the Lavacore Suit

2012-01-21T05:36:00.063-05:00

At the end of December, I ordered a Lavacore Full Length Suit. This is essentially a skin with a fleece layer designed to keep you warmer underwater. Indeed, every garment sold by Lavacore carries a heat rating of 10, which is as high as the scale goes. My suit finally came and I wore it under a sleveless vest with a hood and a full 3/2 mm wetsuit.

Usually, I am not warm, but I am able to tolerate the cold for the first 30 minutes or so of just about every dive. With the lavacore suit, I was able to tolerate the cold water for the better part of an hour before I began to shiver. Somewhere around 90 minutes we crossed the threshold of pain and by 102 minutes, I was eager to get out of the water.

Dianne and I left the apartment at 7:30 am and drove to the beach to meet Luis. I had planned on diving the Little Coral Knoll off of Tower 15, but out of habbit I found myself parking at Tower 17 when Luis pulled in behind me. So we dove the Fish Camp Rocks.

There was a moderate wind from the East and some small surf. The water temperature was 66 degrees. The air temperature was in the 70's and it was actually warm standing in the sun. I took the Canon 5d Mk II with the 100mm lens. No diopter. Luis wore his dry suit. Dianne wore a 3/2 suit without a hood.

We descended at the start of the reef and on our mark from the Tower. There was a moderate current to the North and I though I had adjusted for it, but the first Mountainous coral we found was the one close to the Perpendicular Rocks, so after checking out the nearby rocks, we swam over to the Big Coral Knoll.

Both Luis and I were taking pictures, so our progress was slow. Dianne was swimming to stay warm, and darted here and there. There was a surprising amount of life on the Knoll and the various rocks surrounding it. I got a nice shot of a Star Horseshoe Worm.

We swam with several Smooth Trunkfish and a couple of them were tolerant of the camera's stobe. I took full advantage of the opportunity and got some interesting shots. Its not often that I get a face shot.

From the Big Coral Knoll, we swam to the Fish Camp Rocks and spent some time there taking portraits. I got a nice shot of a tan/pinkish Christmas Tree worm on some green coral.

I also got a nice shot of a blenny of yet undetermined identity, who allowed me to get quite close with the camera as he posed for his portrait.

We found Yellow Jack as well as Black Margate, French Grunts, Smallmouth Grunts and Bar Jacks. The Jacks come close to see if we have any scraps for them, but they are fast and somewhat difficult to photograph.

I was never warm in the way I had hoped to be with this new Lavacore suit, but I was able to tolerate some pretty cold water for about 90 minutes. When it was time to get out, though, I was very happy to do so. I was shivering and could barely hold the camera still for a shot. Maybe we just need to move to Panama?

Solo Diving off the Pelican Grand

2012-01-19T02:58:00.001-05:00

After the two cold, deep dives yesterday, I was reluctant to leave my warm bed and head to the beach. I got up late. I puttered around. It was after 10:00 am before I was ready to go. The sun was well up and the lifey guards were atop their towers, so I went to the Pelican Grand to get into the water safely away from the life guard's line of sight.

I had decided to shoot supermacro today, so I selected a +4 diopter together with my 100mm macro lens. I was after some big pictures of some little things.

I have always enjoyed shooting Sharpnose Puffer fish. I smile whenever I see what could be eye lashes tattooed around their eyes and imagine some little shop under a rock where a sole tattoo artist works on the reef's creatures.

I swam to the edge of the reef to descend, then slowly worked my way South along the edge of the reef. There was a slight Southern current, and I let myself be pulled along in that current.

I moved slowly and patiently, so I got to see a lot of life that usually comes out once I have gone by. The unavoidable consequence of my inaction, however, was that I quickly got cold. The water temperature was only 67 degrees Fahrenheit. I was in a full 3/2 mm wetsuit with a sleeveless vest and a hood, but I was cold throughout the entire 77 minutes of the dive.

At first it seemed that there was little life on the edge of the reef, but floating slowly with the current allowed me to pass very close to fellows like this Seaweed Blenny without appearing threatening. I got some good shots.

There were a lot of Neon Goby. They dart rapidly here and there, making it very difficult to get a well focused shot. I got a few.

The coral is so much easier to shoot, since it does not swim. I spent some time playing with the strobe and the lighting used in my shots.

I spent the entire dive along the edge of the reef, traveling a distance of less than 100 yards to the south in well over an hour. I was more than ready to get out of the water at the end of the dive, however. I was shivering uncontrollably.

Deep Diving on Scubatyme

2012-01-18T21:09:00.005-05:00

I scheduled two deep dives on ScubaTyme for Sunday afternoon. Charles Chase, Chris Coney, Verdes Terblanche and I went. Charles completed his Advanced Open Water course and Verdes completed his Deep Diving certification.

I wanted to shoot wide angle on the RSB-1, which was the first dive. I brought the Canon 5d Mk 1 with a 28-105mm lens set at 70mm and the dome port. I checked the CF card and made sure the battery was fully charged.

The RSB-1 is a 160-foot USCG tender sunk as part of the artificial reef program in Broward County on 14 May 1994. The vessel rests on a sandy bottom in 118 feet of water and reaches upwards to 73 feet. Its bow points North. It has twin stacks and an antenna arrays which is still intact. Amanda tied off at the wheel house and we went down the line.

When we got to the deck, I times each of them opening the red combination locks we worked with on the boat. They each did well. I enjoy the deep black of the red locks. I tried to get a shot, but the battery was dead. Go figure.

The second dive was on the backside of the Third Reefline. We went to 132 feet, but it was all sand. I had some trouble clearing my ears at 60 feet, but got to the bottom with the others.

We swam West and found some isolated bits of reef, but not a lot of life. We did see a tire. We also saw a lobster trap on a line, which was pretty cool. My computer had warned me to begin my ascent because of my high N2 load, so I did not get very good shots of the lobster trap, just some shots looking down on it.

I was shooting my Intova point and shoot, and the poor light was a problem. A lot of my shots were blurred.

We made stops at 65 feet and 32 feet, but my computer still put me into deco and required a 5 minute stop at 10 feet. Chris was unable to hold his position at 10 feet, and floated to the surface. He was showing no DCS symptoms while we drove home, but he was definitely out of profile.

Charles and Vaughn on the Eastern Edge of the reef

2012-01-14T10:27:00.002-05:00

Ravi decided not to dive this morning, but forgot to let me know until it was too late to get Chris to come along. Lose Lose situation. Charles was late, but did come, and Vaughn was there at the door early and ready to go. We met Luis at the beach and went to Tower 17. We geared up and got in the water, but it took 40 minutes or so to swim out to the Eastern edge of the reef. Vaughn was making his first open water dive and Charles was making a search & recovery dive.

I gave Charles the flag and some general instructions on searching for a tire, while Vaughn and I made the 3 ascents he needed to make. We then swam over to the flag, and sure enough found that Charles had located a tire, pulled it out of the sand and was tying his line onto it. We swam down and I gave him the lift bag and showed him how to fill it and how to let air out.

He did not quite understand keeping it neutral all the way up, but he did control the speed and make a slow, safe ascent. Then as long as we were there, I had Vaughn set it up and raise the tire. I took pictures.

Then we swam back to the beach. Luis joined up just past the Ledge. We had gotten set quite a bit South and I made some correction for current set, but we ended up at the Lost Knoll, so I adjusted some more and we ended up right in front of the Tower. It was a warm dive, all that swimming.

We had a fairly long surface interval, but it was not long enough to dry out the gear. Putting on cold, wet gear for a second dive proved to be too much for Charles, who packed his gear and took off. Vaughn, Luis and I toughed it out and had a really nice dive.

We found a small Green Sea Turtle near the Big Coral Knoll and I found the big Green Turtle there, as well, but Vaughn and Luis were too late to see it.

We found a Nurse Shark under the Eastern ledge of the Knoll and a Red Grouper who had a fish hook stuck holding its mouth open. These anglers create such pain and suffering. Really makes me want to hook them and drag them down I-95 for a few hundred miles at 70 mph.

After the Big Coral Knoll, we swam to the Fish Camp Rocks where we spotted some Midnight Blue Parrotfish,

Gray Snapper, and

even a Porcupinefish. Then we headed back to the beach, all of us getting chilled after almost 80 minutes in the water.

Ravi and Rafael Complete the Open Water Course

2012-01-12T20:57:00.060-05:00

The wind was calm and out of the Northwest. The sea was flat. We entered the water in front of Tower 17 and swam to the Eastern edge of the reef. Ravi got to practice kicking and I got to tow him much of the distance.

Once we got to the edge of the reef, we descended and went through the ascents. Both Rafael and Ravi did fine, though Ravi did have a few problems equalizing.

I did an alternate air source ascent with each of them, then they made a buddy breathing ascent together, which was appropriate given that Rafael's regulator did not have an octopus. Finally, I did a controlled emergency ascent with each of them. They each made the ascent on the first try.

Then we swam back along the bottom. The current had set us to the South while we did the ascents. I corrected, but not enough apparently. We missed the Fish Camp Rocks and I increased the correction, but we got out at the dune, South of the Tower.

We saw a small green turtle, some lobster and I got a lot of fish portraits. I also found and photographed a Giant Anemone with purple tipped tentacles.

It was a nice dive, and I stayed warm, though probably because of all the swimming we did.

Our second dive was a bit easier despite the surf being up some. We swam just past the swim buoy to the reef and descended, then swam East to the Fish Camp Rocks. I took the Canon 5d Mk2 with the 100 mm lens this time, so I got some really nice pictures. We spent some time among the Rocks, then swam to the Furry Rock, which is a pillar coral with extended polyps.

Then we swam over to the Big Coral Knoll, where we were approached by a small Green Sea Turtle. We got to swim with it for a bit and I got a few pictures of Rafael and the turtle. Using the 100 mm macro lens made it difficult to get a good picture of both the diver and the turtle, but several of them turned out just fine.

Even when Rafael swam off, the turtle stayed with me for several minutes. Unlike most Green turtles, this one seemed curious and actually interested in us. Most of them are fine so long as you are at least 15 feet away, but this little guy was calmer than most Green Turtles.

We made a few passes over the Big Coral Knoll then swam to the Swept Rock and the Perpendicular Rocks, where we found a small Nurse Shark with a shark sucker attached.

Got a nice picture of this little Blue Tang.

Another nice dive, but a much longer one as we were not pushing to get out to the Ledge and then back.

Diving with Bobby Witkop

2012-01-10T16:53:00.001-05:00

I got a call from a former student, Bobby Witkop, who was in town with his college swim team. He had earned his Open Water certification with me last April and had not been diving since his open water dives with me. We arranged to meet and get him in the water again. I spent the weekend in Pembroke Pines and drove over to pick him up at his motel. Of course 595 was a mess that time of the morning and I was late getting to LBTS. We drove back to my apartment and got him some gear. Then we drove to

the Fort Lauderdale beach only to realize that I had forgotten the flag. So back we went.

Eventually, we got all of the glitches ironed out and got in the water. We swam out to the reef and descended, then headed East to the Fish Camp Rocks. Found some Christmas Tree Worms and some Squat Anemone Shrimp in a Giant Anemone. Its a little difficult to see the little fellas among the tentacles, especially if the water is moving the tentacles about.

We swam around the Fish Camp Rocks for a bit, looking for some Midnight Blue Parrotfish, then decided to swim over to the Big Coral Knoll, where we found a small Green Sea Turtle.

Got a nice picture of a small Seaweed Blenny poking his head out of a bottle.

Also got a nice portrait of a frond oyster.

Took a portrait of a Spanish Grunt.

Of course, I got some shots of the sea turtle. Most Greens are quite timid and it is difficult to get very close to them, but this little guy swam right up to me and was not the least bit bothered by the flash of the strobe.

I like these little Sharpnose Puffers.

Open Water dives with Ravi and Rafael

2012-01-08T15:49:00.040-05:00

Rafael and I went through his confined water dives on the 31st of December. The water was cold but bearable. Ravi, Marc and I attempted their confined water dives on the night of the 6th, but the water was unbearable. We finished up on the afternoon of the 7th, and it was just bearable. Jorge has said he will heat the pool and I for one cannot wait. That water is so cold!

On the morning of the 8th, Ravi and Rafael met at my apartment. We got Rafael set up with gear and went to the beach. Luis was late, so Ravi, Rafael and I geared up and got in. We swam out to the reef, but the guys were too light and could not get down, so we swam back just in time to meet Luis. I added weight to both Rafael and Ravi. Ravi's main problem is his breathing. He could get down with some help, but had trouble controlling his place in the water column. We struggled through the skills, then swam back in when Ravi got down to 1000 psi.

On the way back to the beach, we spotted a purplemouth Moray Eel with a tumor. He was an odd looking fellow.

We spent over an hour on the beach getting warm before we got in for our second dive. My computer measured the water temperature at 67 degrees. I quickly chilled.

We spotted a lobster or two hiding under the coral heads and Ravi pointed out a small green turtle as we were swimming back in. He seemed to have better control of his buoyancy on the second dive. Rafael was fine with the extra two pounds of weight.

Ravi ran out of air first, so he and I went back to the beach while Luis and Rafael stayed on the reef a little longer. I was cold by the time we got in.

Night Diving with Chris Coney

2012-01-07T15:48:00.000-05:00

Chris came by the apartment about 7:15 pm. He is working on his Advanced Open Water certification. We got our gear and drove to the beach. There was almost no wind and the air temperatue was warm. The water was colder. The moon was almost full and very bright. It was well up in the sky and we could see fairly well without using our lights. We swam to the reef and descended, then swam East, but somehow must have drifted South because I did not recognize any landmarks. My camera battery worked for the test shot on the beach, but died in the water. I got no pictures, which is just as well as we did not see anything interesting, in any event. Chris was cold and we turned back well before 1500 psi. We ended up just South of the dune near Tower 17.

Diving with Luis at the Fish Camp Rocks

2012-01-07T08:00:00.003-05:00

Luis and I made a lot of dives last winter and I have sorely missed his company this winter. It is much easier to get up and drive to the beach on these cold mornings if I know someone is counting on me tos show up and dive. Turns out that there are not a lot of cold water divers in SE Florida. Today Luis and I met at the beach, geared up and got in the water. There was very little wind and almost flat seas, which was nice. We swam to the reef and descended. We then

swam slowly to the North East, but apparently got set even further North than I had intended, because we ended up near the perpendicular rocks just South of the Swept Rock. We swam a bit farther and found the Big Coral Knoll. I got a nice shot of some Smooth Flower Coral just on the overhang where the turtles used to sleep. A little further West, I got a nice shot of a White Grunt, and then on the Northwestern edge of the Knoll I got a nice shot of a Yellowtail Damselfish.

We made several passes over the Knoll and then decided to head South to the Fish Camp Rocks. Found a number of schools of fish. I tried taking portraits, but the strobe was acting up and they were not coming out. We next headed to the Furry Rock, then went back to the beach.

Diving the Ledge of Turtles

2012-01-05T09:40:00.007-05:00

I woke up early, but went back to bed and did not start thinking about diving until 8:30 am. By the time I packed up and drove to the beach, the lifeguards were in their towers. The lifeguards will stop me from solo diving if they see me, so Iheaded up to the Pelican Grand where I could enter the water without being hassled. The wind was calm and the sea was flat, but the air
temperature was about 62 degrees.

I entered the water and swam out to the reef

before descending.

The top 8 feet of water was warm, but below that it was cold. My computer measured the temperature at 64 degrees, but I think the comput

er is miscalibrated. The temperature w

as likely 70 degrees. I followed the reef South to

where my mark should have been. Problem was that there was no mark there. The railing has been gone for a while and now the sponge is gone. I found the rock pile that used to hold the railing and the base of the sponge, so I focused on those

and headed out at 120 degrees. I did not find the mid-way rocks but I did swim around until in encountered the Ledge of Turtles. Some college

divers were there measuring things and had a tape strung across the staghorn corals. No turtles.

Got some pictures of fish. Swam back to the

beach but had a difficult time getting out through the loose sand. Once out of the water, I got out of my wetsuit and dried off. I warmed up in the sun.

Going Wide Angle

2012-01-04T07:04:00.013-05:00

I got up early, geared up and headed for the beach at 7:30 am. The wind was from the NW with gusts to 30 knots. It was low tide and the seas were confused, with rollers clashing with the wind on the sand bar. The air temperature was cold: no more than 60 degrees and much less with the wind chill. The water was warmer: at least 70

degrees with pockets that were quite pleasant. I

got in easily enough, but had to swim against a moderate South current to get out to the reef. I

wanted to explore the Mk I with a wide angle lens and the dome port.

I found the fish Camp Rocks, something that has been difficult recently, and got some pictures,

then swam over to the Furry Rock. The wide

angle lens was set at 50 mm and I needed to be quite a bit away from my subject to get the

shutter to trip. Of course, that means more water between the lens and the subject and more floatsum and jetsum floating in that water. The

images were not crisp and clear. I was a little unnerved at being unable to photograph fish portraits. Everywhere I looked, I found a shot I could not take.

I swam for the Lost Knoll, but gave up and

headed North to the Big Coral Knoll, where I

found a little Green Turtle. Then I headed back to the beach, where I struggled to get out of the water. The sand was soft and it was difficult to

walk out. I would lift one foot to step forward and the foot I was standing on would sink another six inches in the sand putting me off balance and unable to step up.

Once I got back to the truck, the fun really began. I was so cold and the wind was blowing so hard! I hid behind the stars behind the Lifeguard's Tower and got out of my suit. I dried off as quickly as I

could and got into dry clothes, but it was an effort.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks with Frank and Martijn

2012-01-02T21:35:00.009-05:00

Martijn van Breukelen and Frank Schipper booked a stay at the Bridge @ Cordova and wanted to dive off the Fort Lauderdale beach. Dianne and I were happy to oblige. We met on New Years Day and got some gear for them. Frank is 6 feet tall and weighs 165 pounds while Martijn is 6 foot 3 inches and weighs all of 176 pounds. Most of my wetsuits fit a 6 foot guy who weighs 230 pounds. Fortunately Underseas Sports had some suits for tall, skinny guys and we got two, as well as some SeaQuest BCDs. So with gear bags packed, we headed for the beach at
7:30 am. My computer battery died overnight
and I have been unable to figure out how to open it and change the battery.

I now dive with an Oceanic VT 3 which is virtually identical to the Aeris Elite T3 that I have dived with

since 2007, but which somehow refuses to open in the

same manner that I recall opening the Aires. Another problem for Underseas Sports to solve.

We got to the beach well after sunrise. The winds

were calm and the seas were flat.

There is still a good deal of fine silt in the water, so it is hazy, but the visibility was around 25 feet on the reef. We swam East towards the Fish Camp Rocks, but got set by the North current and ended up at the Big Coral Knoll, where we spotted a small Green Sea Turtle. We got within 15 feet of the turtle, but that was as close as it would let us come, then someone exhaled, the

turtle went into hyperdrive and it was just gone. We continued to explore the Knoll for awhile, and saw some White Grunts going mouth to mouth,

which appears to be a dominance ritual like Big

Horn Sheep butting heads. then swam to the Disc, over the mid-way rock and to the Fish Camp Rocks where we spotted a Lionfish. Of course, I

did not have my Liontamer spear with me.

We explored the Rocks for a bit, then swam over to the Pillar Coral, which is one of my favorite dive spots. The Furry Rock is yellow and has long extended polyps that wave in the water like a

field of grain in the wind.

The bad weather we had earlier this Fall has taken its toll, but the coral remains an impressive feature.

As we left the Furry Rock and headed back towards the Fish Camp Rocks, Frank motioned to me that he was down to 1500 psi, so we headed

back to the beach. We surfaced just slightly South of the Tower and struggled through the soft sand to get up on the beach. The dive lasted 77 minutes. Frank had run out of air by the time we got back.

Getting out of the water was an effort. The air temperature was lower than the water

temperature and the sand was very soft coming up the beach, so as you lifted one foot to step

forward, the other foot sank deeper into the sand. But we did get out, dry off and warm up.

The second dive was a straight shot to the

Eastern edge of the reef. I took my Lionfish spear and we stopped at the Fish Camp Rocks to dispatch the lionfish we saw on the first dive.

He was well exposed on the side of the rocks and let me get within inches of him,

but my shot was high and only rolled him. He made a swift get away.

We were looking for a Hawksbill Turtle. Unlike the Green turtles, the Hawksbills are not intimidated by divers and are

quite happy to let you swim with them for as long as you like. They seem to like the 10-15 foot ledge on the other side of the reef, so we went there. Unfortunately, we did not find any turtles. We did find an odd looking anemone and a curious Graysby Grouper. We also found a very large corkscrew

anemone and a Pederson Shrimp. I got some nice pictures of the shrimp.

Martijn signalled that he was low on air, so we swam West towards the beach. Along the way, I spotted a very small Scrawled Cowfish who was hiding from me . I stopped and got a few pictures. I assume that the fish was a juvenile, but really do not know.

Later that afternoon, Dianne remarked on how fortunate we were to meet and dive with people from all over the world. Frank and Martijn were good dive buddies: they did not wander off on their own and they seemed genuinely interested in exploring the reef.

Nicky's Open Water Dives off of Tower 17

2011-10-01T06:52:00.007-04:00

I got a new student from the yacht Il Sole' earlier this week. Nicolize van der Merwe is an ebulliant and athletic young woman. She overcame her habit of breathing in through her nose and was ready for her first open water dive this morning. The visibility was not great and there was a moderate South current, but she was undaunted. We swam to 8 feet of water and descended, then swam out on the sand to make sure that she could equalize. Unfortunately, that meant that our current set was important and I simply lost track of it. I did not know where we were until half an hour into the dive, when I saw the big rock West of helmut head on the Big Coral Knoll. Once I spotted that, we did fine. We explored the Big Coral Knoll and spotted a small Green Sea Turtle sleeping under some coral. We swam to the Fish Camp Rocks to check for hermit crabs and Parrotfish. We even found the Pillar Coral, which is where I took the picture of Nicky. It was a long first dive, but enjoyable.

The second dive was better, though Nicky experienced some dizziness, headache and nausea immediately upon surfacing after the first dive. We took a long surface interval and tried again. We swam on the surface to the swim buoys and descended to go over the skills. Then we headed for the Ledge on the Eastern edge of the reef, where the bottom drops to about 35 feet on the sand. We came back to the Pillar Coral and turned slightly South to swim to the Lost Knoll and then the beach. This was also a long dive, but quite enjoyable.

Finding the Lost Coral Knoll

2011-06-27T16:02:00.006-04:00

Nicco and Trisha joined me for a dive this evening. I wanted to get a bearing on the coral knoll we found on the first dive on Sunday. Its a knoll we used to see frequently, but do not now because we have bearings on the Big Coral Knoll and the Fish Camp Rocks. So we entered in front of the life guard tower, swam to the reef at 100 degrees, and swam to the Fish Camp Rocks at 90 degrees. From there, I headed to this new reef at 120 degrees, except that we never found it on that bearing. We swam to the Eastern edge of the reef, went South along the edge and then West, and then we found the reef. Maybe at 150 degrees. We did find a crab and I got a picture. Also saw two French Grunts going mouth-to-mouth. I was not able to get a picture of that.

The Final Two Dives on the Fish Camp Rocks

2011-06-26T06:32:00.018-04:00

The 3 students, Luis, Dianne and I swam on the surface to the Eastern edge of the reef and descended to 33 feet to make the ascents. I paired the students up to make the alternate air ascents and the buddy breathing ascents, then took each of them up on a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent. Chris had some trouble as did Juliana, but they each successfully completed a CESA from 33 feet. Then we swam back underwater exploring the reef. We encountered a little coral knoll to the SE of the Fish Camp Rocks. Its a knoll we used to see frequently when we first started diving here, but have lost as we were better able to locate the Fish Camp Rocks and the Big Coral Knoll. I need to come back and try to get a bearing on this knoll.

During the surface interval, I administered the final written exam in the course. Zahra was the only one to pass, though Chris only missed by one question. The tables are a big stumbling block, but I continue to think it is worth the effort.

The parents came on our fourth and final dive. To begin with, Dianne had trouble blowing up her BCD and then found that she could not tread water effectively. She asked for help. Laura and Luis swam over to her and helped her out. In doing so, Laura did something to her BCD so that it would no longer hold air. She swam back to the beach to drop her weights and then returned to make the dive. Then as we descended, Zahra discovered that she had no air. Rather than just surface or reach behind her and turn on her air, she swam down to her father and ripped his regulator from him. They ascended safely together and turned on her air, but she was too panicked to make the dive, so Mamoud, her father, swam back to the beach with her. We caught up to the flag at one of the Mountainous coral rocks NW of the Fish Camp Rocks and SW of the Big Coral Knoll. We went to the Knoll and explored for several trips around the knoll. I spotted two French Grunts in a dispute over a coral head. They went mouth-to-mouth several times and I tried to get pictures. Then Dianne swam over and they separated. From the Knoll, we swam to the Fish Camp Rocks, where I spotted a Nurse Shark's tail under my marker rocks. She swam off, but I got some good pictures. We did the grand tour and saw a lot of reef fish, but nothing special. So we swam to the Pillar Coral we call the Furry Rock. I also stopped by the Giant Anemone in the rock to the NE. Then we returned to the Fish Camp Rocks and to the Coral Knoll. From there we headed West to the beach. Allison and Juliana got separated and Luis went after them. Dianne, Laura, Chris and I went to the beach, though Chris spotted a turtles and swam away. I gave Laura one of my weight packets as she was really light and having trouble staying down. We rejoined Luis, Allison and Juliana along the way and we all returned to the beach as if we had been together for the entire dive.

Diving the Ken Vitale with Leonardo, Felipe and Guillermo

2011-06-25T11:52:00.002-04:00

I decided to shoot wide-angle today, so I changed lenses. Then I decided to use the dome port, but instead of switching ports, I just put the Mk2 into the housing for the Mk I. It seemed like a good idea. When I got in the water for the first dive, however, the housing was flooding, so I took the camera back to the boat, which is why there are no pictures accompanying this entry. But that is not the biggest problem. I have been unable to get the camera out of the housing. The hot shoe is caught on a 2mm lip on the top of the housing.

The dive itself was a delight, though the visibility was pretty poor for a second reef dive. We swam around the wreck, then entered the wheel house and went down the staircase, out onto the mid-deck and down into the hold. Well, Leonardo, Guillermo and I did. Felipe swam around. We went back for a second try, and Felipe ascended the staircase, but Guillermo swam around. We penetrated into the bow of the boat and had just come up on deck when Guillermo indicated that he had only 500 psi remaining, so I sent him to the asecnt line and I rounded up the others. Leonardo was reluctant to leave, as he still had over 1500 psi. Felipe was okay with leaving as he had only 1000 psi remaining. At my insistence, we all swam to the line and caught up to Guillermo, with whom I shared air since I still had about 1800 psi. We made a long safety stop and swam to the stern to board on the swim ladders.

The second dive was a drift dive on the Oakland Ledges. During our surface interval, I had urged the guys to stay horizontal, not use their arms to swim and to focus on their breathing. Felipe was still having some problems, so I switched one of my 2 pound weights for one of his 3 pound weights and he seemed to do better, but it was probably psyhological. We surfaced when I heard the boat nearby. We had been diving for just over an hour and Leonardo was getting cold.

Diving the Little Coral Knoll with Open Water Students

2011-06-24T08:33:00.000-04:00

I woke up Thursday morning and I did not want to go diving. I did not want to edit photographs. I wanted to take the dog for a walk. So I did. But this morning was a different story. I had an open water class that was set to make their first two open water dives. One of the students, Chris Coney, came to the apartment at 6:45 am. We had agreed to meet at 7:15 am and that he would ride with me to the beach. He got there early because he was excited. He wanted to dive.

We found a place to park along A1A just North of Sunrise. By 8:00 am, we were joined by Juliana Eichsteadt and Zahra Shiuji, the other two students in this class. I wanted to dive the Little Coral Knoll because it is close to the beach, filled with life and after diving the area most of the week, I thought I could find it, but I was wrong. We geared up, did our buddy checks and descended in about 10 feet of water. We swam out on the sand and no one had any trouble equalizing. We drifted to the North some, but I adjusted for the drift and thought I had maintained a 90 degree bearing, but we never saw the Little Coral Knoll or anything else I recognized. We did see the usual reef fish and the curious little blenny in the photograph. We had a pleasant enough dive, it just wasn't the dive I planned.

We spent our surface interval discussing decompression problems and re-taking quizzes. Then we entered as before and swam out at 90 degrees. We descended just shy of the swim buoys and went through the various skills. The students did just fine. When we had finished the schools,we again headed 90 degrees and this time, I ran into the Porthole Rocks. From there we swam 55 degrees to the Little Coral Knoll. We explored the knoll for quite a while. There was a lot to see and I'm sure that we did not see it all.

Diving the Ledge of Turtles with Cole Evans

2011-06-22T10:40:00.012-04:00

I descended before the swim buoys, then swam out at 100 degrees and found the railing. I turned to 120 degrees and adjusted for the current, then swam against the current to the Ledge. The visibility was terrible and I was set by the current, but I happened to spot the mid-way rocks and got myself back on track. I made it to the Ledge perfectly. There were no turtles on the Ledge. No Green Turtles and certainly no Hawksbills. Sad. I looked around a bit then headed out to the Shark's Rock, taking my time through the coral in the hopes of finding some Grunts going mouth to mouth. No luck on the Grunts and no Nurse Sharks at the Rocks. I headed South up the rise just looking to see what was there. Not much. So I went back to Shark's Rock and then back to the Ledge of Turtles. This time, there was a small Green Turtle skimming over the coral, but he took off as soon as he spotted me. I didn't even get a bad picture of him.

Cole arrived at 8:30 am as planned. I brought one of the puny (XXS) BCDs for him and it fit him well. He might even be able to get into an extra puny. We went diving. We swam to the reef on the surface so I would be sure to find the railing, but I didn't. I wasted 5 minutes swimming up and down the reef before I surfaced and discovered we had been set 30 feet to the North. We correct our position, descended, located the railing and swam to the Ledge at 120 degrees. Along the way, we spotted a young Nurse Shark that was maybe 30 inches long. Cole wanted to feel its skin, but then decided he wanted to pull it by its tail. That was too much. We continued to the Mid-way Rocks and to the Ledge. We explored for a while, then headed out to the Shark's Rock, but there wasn't much out there, either. We went North-East and found a few rocks, a Smooth Trunkfish and some Atlantic Spadefish. We came back to Shark's Rock and to the Ledge, then headed back to the beach.

Solo Diving in the Staghorn Coral Forest off Tower 19

2011-06-21T10:20:00.007-04:00

I decided to dive on the Staghorn Coral Forest off Tower 19. There was a light breeze out of the SE and no surf. I swam out and found a North moving current. I swam along the Northern edge of the forest looking for the concrete block and medieval coral racks as well as the scientific testing station (aka space station). I found the concrete blocks and I found the space station, but I can't tell you where one is located in relation to the other. I never saw the medieval racks. I did find a little Red Reef Hermit Crab, a huge Sand Diver, a Two Spot Cardinalfish and a Banded Coral Shrimp.

The current died down, but the visibility got markedly worse. There was a haze over everything. Nonetheless, I swam out as before and went to the Eastern edge of the reef. I came back looking for and found the concrete block racks, but nothing else. Got pictures of a blue hamlet in the coral, who was very cooperative. I also got some shots of a striped burrfish, but try as I might, I could not get a picture of its face.

Diving the Ledge of Turtles with Dean Yates

2011-06-20T09:40:00.010-04:00

Dean met me at the beach at 6:30 am and we dove the Ledge of Turtles. There was little wind and no surf, so entry was a breeze. There was a moderate current to the North, however, and we got set to the Crow's Nest on the way out, so I swam South to adjust and we found the mid-way rocks and swam on over to the Ledge, where we found a small Green Sea Turtle. Unfortunately, the turtle was frightened and would not let me get close. I took some shots, but there was too much backscatter for the distance. Dean is also a photographer, so we explored the Ledge before swimming over to Shark's Rock. There were no Nurse Sharks there, but there were a lot of reef fish and we both got a number of shots. Then we swam back to the Ledge, to find that the turtle had returned, but he left immediately upon seeing us. Finally, we headed West to the sand and then NW to the point of entry.

Dean was taking his son and daughter diving at the Blue Heron Bridge, so he only made one dive with me. I went back to the Ledge for a second dive and found the same Green Sea Turtle, but it was still unwilling to share the Ledge with me and took off. I got a picture of a White Grunt with its mouth open wide in front of a young Porkfish, apparently for cleaning. This time I got a picture, though it was not the best shot. I spent a good bit of time swimming slowly to Shark's Rock and poking around in the Staghorn Coral. I found a small crab but it was well inside the coral and I could not get a shot. I also found a Rock Hind who gave me the evil eye when I got its picture. I went back to the Ledge, but this time, the turtle was not there. I got a picture of a Highhat, then headed back to the beach along the same route Dean and I had used earlier, looking for the snorkel Dean though he lost along the way. I did not find it. I did find some kind of animal inside a tube, but the pictures are neither very clear or complete and I have no idea what this thing is.

Rescue Class at the Fish Camp Rocks

2011-06-19T08:21:00.019-04:00

Dianne came to the beach early to make one dive together before meeting Nic and Trisha to finish the rescue class scenarios. There was very little wind and no surf. We easily and quickly got in the water and swam to the reef, where we descended and headed East. We got set by a moderate current to the North, but managed to find the Fish Camp Rocks, anyway. We explored that area and found a speckled hermit crab as well as an Atlantic Deer Cowrie. I got some good pictures, then we swam to the Furry Rock. We did not spend much time at the Rock, but I did take some portraits of the fish around the Rock. From there, we swam to the Big Coral Knoll and slowly cruised the Knoll looking for shots. I found a pair of French Grunts going mouth to mouth, but I was not fast enough to get the picture.

We left the Knoll and swam South through some large rocks where we found a large Nurse Shark lying more or less exposed. I got close and discovered that some useless moron had hooked her but did not know what to do then so he cut his line. Makes me want to find him, put a hook in him, and tie the other end of the line to the bumper of my truck so I could run him down I-95 for a few miles just as a learning experience.

We continued South for a bit, then turned West and swam back to the beach. As we left the reef there was a larger rock and I found a fish apparently stuck in a hole with a Purplemouth Moray Eel and a small red crab waiting for the fish to expire. I could not free the fish, so we left it and swam to the beach to meet Nic and Trisha.

The four of us made a dive which essentially a repeat of the first dive Dianne and I made. At the end of the dive, however, we stopped by the same large rock just past the end of the reef to see if the fish was still stuck, which he was. Both the eel and the crab were waiting.

We went a bit farther West and just past the swim buoys, where I indicated to Dianne that she should play the unresponsive diver underwater while Nic, Trisha and I surfaced so I could tell them that Dianne was missing and let them mount the rescue. Trisha went first. She quizzed me about where I had last seen Dianne, then descended to begin an expanded square search. When she found Dianne, she brought her to the surface and made her initial assessment: airway open? Breathing? She discovered that Dianne was not breathing so she gave her 2 rescue breaths, called for help and began towing her to the beach. while giving Dianne a rescue breath every 5 seconds. She stopped in shallow water near the beach to remove gear, but she took Dianne's gear off first, so she had to hold Dianne up while she got her gear off. Then she drug Dianne up onto the beach, at which point we ended the exercise. I had taken my Canon with the macro lens, so I did not get any pictures of Trisha's resue. The pictures posted are of Nic's rescue of Dianne, and were taken with my 10 mp Intova point and shoot.

We had a fairly long surface interval, the made a third dive. We stopped at the same large rock just off the reef, and the fish was still stuck. Both Nic and I tried to get it free, but it was really wedged in the rock. Too bad. Dianne found a small crab on the other side of the rock and I got a picture. Then we went through the rescue exercise with Nic, who benefitted from a following sea.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks with Open Water Students

2011-06-18T11:55:00.011-04:00

These were the final two open water dives of the open water class comprised of Adrian Giatan, AJ Nieto, Michael Nieto, Maria McGowan, Stephanie McGowan and Alexis Shaw. Luis Monroy came along to help and brought his camera, which was terrific since I forgot mine. The pictures posted here were taken by Luis, whose copyrights are reserved.

The class swam together on the surface to the Eastern edge of the reef to avoid any nitrogen loading before making the required ascents. I broke the students into buddy pairs and the girls simulated being out of air first, making the alternate air ascent with their buddy and blowing up their BCD orally at the surface. Then the guys were out of air. Stephanie and Adrian had no alternate air source on their gear, so they just watched. Then the buddy pairs performed a buddy breathing ascent. Finally, I took each of them up with a CESA. Maria had to breath on her first attempt, but nailed it on the second. Everyone else made it on the first try and AJ made an absolutely perfect CESA. Once everyone successfully performed the ascents, we swam North along the edge of the reef looking for the turn marker.

For our second dive, we got geared up and entered the water in front of Tower 17, the swam on the surface to the reef to descend. I tried to track our bearing and was more or less successful. We sound a Hawksbill turtle who swam slowly so that everyone could follow. We were a bit North, but I spotted the precursor rocks and we found the Fish Camp Rocks. Luis spotted a small Nurse Shark, but had trouble getting a good picture.

Open Water Class at the Little Coral Knoll

2011-06-17T17:29:00.000-04:00

I have a class of six open water students, but only three of them dove with me last Sunday and now the other three are catching up. We met at the beach and geared up, the entered the water at the main entry, but descended early and swam out on the sand so the students could easily equalize. We also ended up being set well off our 90 degree mark. I wandered around for the entire dive hoping to find something I recognized. I never did. I did find a tiny knoll, but it was not The Tiny Knoll, though I only discovered that when I sped off to the North and failed to come to the Little Coral Knoll. We were half way to Tower 16, but came back right to the point of entry.

So on the second dive, we swam out on the surface 90 degrees from the main entry. We descended and swam into the Porthole Rocks. From there I navigated 55 degrees to the Little Coral Knoll. We explored the Knoll for a bit, then went 90 degrees out and back. On the second trip to the Knoll, I saw the Scamp from this morning and got some pictures. We then swam out to the Porthole Rocks and then 90 degrees to the entry point.

Diving the Little Coral Knoll with Chase Papoy

2011-06-17T06:15:00.006-04:00

Chase was at the beach waiting for me when I got there. We geared up and entered at the middle entry. We descended before the swim buoys and went out on the sand at 90 degrees. We did not hit the Porthole Rocks, instead, I spotted the four blocks and turned 150 degrees to swim to the Little Coral Knoll. We had gotten set well to the North. We explored the Knoll and I got some photographs, then we headed East looking for nurse sharks. Chase was a little light with only 8 pounds and was fighting both the current and her positive buoyancy. As we were on the way back, she simply went to the surface and followed the flag. I headed to the Porthole Rocks, then to the beach to end the dive.

More Diving on the Little Coral Knoll

2011-06-16T11:59:00.007-04:00

No wind and calm waters. I got to the beach early and headed for the Little Coral Knoll. I tried the 90 degree bearing from the main entry, but ended up at the 5 gallon bucket. I headed 150 degrees from that point to the Knoll. I explored some and took pictures, then headed North to find the Tiny Coral Knoll we encountered last night. It was due North and not that far. Next I swam out to the SW and found the Porthole Rocks, which are not that big but they are built like a cat's playhouse. I spent some time tracking the 155 degree bearing to the rocks from the single rock on the NW of the Knoll. They are about 80 kick cycles from the Knoll and 90 degrees from the main opening on the beach.

On the second dive, I went out at 90 degrees, but not only missed the Porthole Rocks, but missed the Little Coral Knoll, as well. I surfaced and positioned myself E and S of the swim buoy and found the Knoll. I swam out to the Porthole Rocks, but got lost coming back. Ended up finding the concrete square just South of the Knoll and then found the Knoll from there. Got some nice pictures of a Spanish Hogfish and a Queen Angelfish.

Still Diving the Little Coral Knoll

2011-06-15T15:37:00.009-04:00

The wind was light and from the West. The sea was flat. I swam out at 90 degrees, but ended up way to the North in an area I did not recognize. I tried to swim back, but nothing was familiar. I went from rock to rock shooting pictures. I found a small Nurse Shark and a small Speckled Hermit Crab. Then I headed back to the beach.

I did better on the second dive. Sam, one of the divemasters on American Dream, introduced himself to me and asked about my camera. Next thing I know, the Life Guardette showed up 20 minutes early for her shift and I had to scurry into the water while her back was turned. I went out at100 degrees, but did not find the knoll. I surfaced and check the first pole to the South, then the swim buoy. I was too far East. I swam back in and was just North of the Knoll. Spent some time shooting pictures on the Knoll, then did a little exploring. I could not find the two concrete blocks and the line that I found yesterday. I also could not find my way back to the Knoll, so I surfaced again, re-positioned myself again and found the Knoll. I swam back in at 270 degrees, but ended up in front of the Life Guard Tower.

Another Solo Morning on the Little Coral Knoll

2011-06-14T16:21:00.008-04:00

The morning was gorgeous. Clear skies, no wind and no surf. I tried once again to find the Little Coral Knoll by swimming out on a 90 degree bearing. This time, I ran into the 5 gallon bucket, turned 150 degrees and found the knoll about 2 mintues later. A Scamp, maybe the one from yesterday came up to see me, but got spooked by the strobe. He came back a few times, but never got really close. I found Flamefish, Spotted Goatfish, a Purplemouth Moray Eel and even a Queen Angelfish. Nice dive. Towards the end, I headed 270 degrees to the sand and found the same marks that I found yesterday: two concrete blocks tied together with a long line and the white rock I laid up next to a vase sponge.

Having proved to myself that the marks were where and what I remembered, I tried once more to find the Knoll by swimming out at 90 degrees, but the result was similar. I ended up seeing the three joined concrete blocks and a fourth nearby that I pass as I come 150 degrees from the 5 gallon bucket. I swam out to the bucket to be sure, but it was there, so I turned to 150 degrees and again swam to the Knoll. Not much of a current, so I do not understand the current set being so much, but I cannot otherwise explain what happens.

Solo on the Little Coral Knoll

2011-06-13T16:07:00.000-04:00

No wind. Nor surf. Just flat seas. Unfortunately, there is a haze only 25 ft out. I swam out at 90 degrees and ran into a rock with 3 Lionfish on it. Turns out that I was on the rock just East of the swim buoy in front of Tower 15. I swam back on the surface and descended over the reef. I found some concrete blocks and the 5 gallon bucket. I swam at 150 degrees and found the Little Coral Knoll. I surfaced and made it 270 degrees back to the entry point. I explored the reef and got some photos, including a few photos of a Scamp that seemed very curious about me and not all that afraid. He would swim right up to me and watch me while I photographed the reef. He did not like but seemed to accept the strobe flash. I spent most of my air on the Knoll, then swam 270 degrees and looked for markers. I got lost on the way back and ended up just swimming to the beach.

Using my 90 degree bearing measurement, I tried to find the Little Coral Knoll, but could not. I tried running a U-Pattern search, but that did not find it, either. I think in retrospect that I was set too far North by the current and was just looking in the wrong spot. When my tank got down to 1000 psi, I surfaced and found myself almost to Tower 17.

Diving the Little Coral Knoll with Half an Open Water Class

2011-06-12T15:28:00.012-04:00

Three of the six open water students came out to make their first two dives this morning: Alexis Shaw, AJ Nieto and Adrian Giatan. Dianne and Luis came along to help me. We checked weight at the sand bar, and everyone was able to sink. As usual, by the time we got to the reef, some of the students were having problems staying down. Luis brought his tube/flag with weights, so we fixed the problems and headed out due East from the entry point, which I remember as the correct bearing. My memory notwithstanding, however, we did not find the Little Coral Knoll. We came upon a Hawksbill Turtle sleeping on the bottom. We also found a young nurse shark with the remnants of the purple spots. I teased an Amphipod and he reached out to get my stick but I was not coordinated enough to do so and snap a picture at the same time. We found a small sponge brittle star and saw a lot of reef fish, but we did not find the Knoll. It was a delightful dive, anyway. Adrian hoovered through his air in record time, then went through what remained of Dianne's tank, as well. Got to calm him down.

Back at the truck, we discussed the dive and the students' weight, fine tuned the problems and got ready for the skills dive. We swam on the surface to the swim buoy and descended. Luis and Dianne took the flag and went in search of the coral knoll. They say they saw an octopus. The students and I went through the various skills, then joined them. We swam around until Adrian let me know he was low on air, and we turned back.

Dianne and I made a third dive, but had to wait about 70 minutes to get additional parking time. That's a bummer. Both Adrian and Alexis had quizzes to retake, so we went over the review questions and let them answer the quizzes. After they finished, passed the quizzes and loaded up their gear, Dianne and I still had a 30 minute weight to re-up the parking. Once we did, we went out looking for the Little Coral Knoll. I went due East from the entry point, still certain that would be the way to find it, but we found nothing. I started a U-Pattern search, but that produced no results either. We did spot a spotted moray eel and saw some rather large rocks to the South, but we never found the Knoll.

The nurse shark video is LD and very slow to load. Sorry.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks with Luis and Dianne

2011-06-11T16:30:00.006-04:00

Dianne, Luis and I entered in front of the Tower and swam to the reef on our mark. The wind was less than yesterday and from the West. Seas were calm. We descended and headed out at 90 degrees. I was looking for but did not see the precursor rocks. We swam right to the Furry Rock, however, got some photos and then swam to the Fish Camp Rocks. We Hung around there for a while shooting pictures and exploring, then swam to the Big Coral Knoll. I found a large Green Sea Turtle, but could not get close enough to get a picture. Somewhere on the Knoll, my camera battery died. We headed North from the Knoll and went about 400 psi then turned around to come back. I spotted some rocks that I thought might be South and West of the Knoll, but I was not sure enough of the identification to turn. We continued South and ran into some more rocks. These I recognized and we turned West there. I found a Brittle Star on a Sea Rod, then accidently pulled the Sea Rod out. Shortly after than, I spotted a purple mouth moral eel under a rock and Dianne spotted an Atlantic Guitar fish. I watched it swim away, but without a battery, the camera was of little use. It was a long dive: 115 mintues. Five minutes short of two hours.

Exploring from the Ledge of Turtles

2011-06-10T17:33:00.011-04:00

I got to the beach early. The wind was up: maybe 10-15 knots from the East. Seas were 5-6 ft, but manageable. I swam out to the reef, but I could not find the railing. The visibility over the sand was about 2 ft. I surfaced and lined up the pole in the opening, but I still could not find the railing when I descended, so I just headed out at 300 degrees. I went through 250 psi and found the mid-way rocks. Visibility opened up to maybe 10 ft. I continued to the Ledge and found two small Green Turtles swimming over it and a Hawksbill Turtle sleeping underneath an outcropping. I got some shots of the small Green Turtle and a few of the Hawksbill, though only the really close shots were any good. More than 1 ft away, there is too much backscatter. I got some shots of Squirrelfish and Yellowtail Damselfish, then headed off to Shark's Rock. Visibility never got better than 10-15 feet. I was spot on hitting the Rock. Got some pictures, then went back to the Ledge and found the two small Green Turtles. Got some additional pictures then headed down the reef to the railing, to which I swam directly. From there, to the beach and out.

The second dive was much the same, except that I found the railing, so I got a good start and hit the mid-way rocks then the Ledge. Again, the Green Turtles were on the ledge, but there was no sign of the Hawksbill. I went directly to Shark's Rock, but I almost swam past it. I just happened to notice fish milling about to my left so I swam over and sure enough, there was the Rock. I went to the East Rocks, too, then just headed South. I came upon the concrete block coral racks and I found the scientific station, but I did not locate the medieval coral racks. I swam over the the staghorn coral and spent some time cruising through the forest, then swam NW to the sand and to the beach to end the dive.

Exploring the Staghorn Coral Forest

2011-06-09T16:48:00.011-04:00

The wind is from the East at about 10 knots. The surf is about 3 ft, but there are a few 5 ft breakers, too. I enter in front of Tower 19 and head out at 100 degrees. Along the way I encounter a small Green Sea Turtle, who does not see me coming. He races away before I can even raise my camera. I get to the staghorn coral and find a small Brittle Sea Star, then the camera goes dark. I play with it, but cannot figure out what is wrong. I notice that I cannot change the aperature.

I swim on looking for the mountainous coral next to the medieval coral racks. I move North a bit and find some coral racks built of concrete blocks and the sampling station I'd seen earlier, but I have no idea where I am other than North and East of the staghorn coral. I continue playing with the camer and discover that the switch on the strobe battery is on "Full" rather than TTL. I switch it back and apparently fix the problem. What a relief. I continue to the Eastern edge of the reef and then swim North along the ledge, where I find a Scamp who is interested in me and lets me get some good shots and a Blue Hamlet who is also accommodating. Then I turn West to the beach at a large rock and come upon the medieval racks withon 50 yards of the ledge. I don't initially see the mountainous corals, then I do. I surface to see where I am. I think 100 degrees out from the Tower. When I descend, though, I cannot find the mountainous coral or the medieval racks.

My second dive begins the same as the first, except the wind has died down a bit and the surf has diminished some. I swim out to the staghorn coral and to the ledge. On the way back, I once again find the medieval racks and the moutainous coral. This time, I surface to check and find it is 240 degrees looking back at the Tower, which is lined up 1/3rd of the way in the house across the street. I look for the scietific station and the concrete block racks, but I do not find those. I also look for a rock or some other easily recognized feature in the staghorn coral, but find nothing. Visibility is bad, only 5-10 feet.

Finding the Ledge of Turtles and the Medieval Coral Racks

2011-06-08T16:04:00.003-04:00

I decided to go to the Ledge of Turtles, so I swam to the reef, found the railing and set out at 120 degrees, but I missed the mid-way rocks and the Ledge of Turtles. The visibility was terrible on the sand: less than 5 ft. It wasn't a lot better on the reef: maybe 15 ft. I stopped when I had burned through 500 psi. I should have made it to the Ledge in 300 psi. I came West a bit, but did not see anything, so I went a bit farther North and came back East. This time, I came up on the backside of the Ledge and found a Hawksbill Sea Turtle sleeping in the Ledge. Got a few pictures, but left the Turtles where I found her and swam around to the front looking for fish to photograph. Found a Squirrelfish. Came back, but the Hawksbill was gone. I headed West to the beach, but over-compensated for the current and ended up almost to Tower 18.

I entered the water at the shower just South of Tower 20 and headed out due East. I saw smatterings of staghorn coral, but not the forest. I swam to the Eastern edge of the reef, then went South a short distance on the sand before turning West. Shortly after I turned, I spotted the medieval coral racks and mountainous small star corals. I kept going West and ran into the forest. Looked for cowries, but did not see any.

Diving the Staghorn Coral Forest

2011-06-07T03:42:00.007-04:00

For the first dive, I entered the water in front of the lifeguard tower, swam to the reef and descended. I headed out at 90 degrees, looking for the large rocks I saw before or the large rocks where I photographed the octopus last January. I found neither. I went to the Eastern edge of the reef and came back South, then headed back to the beach. I did see a Pederson Shrimp while swimming South on the ledge and an Indigo Hamlet on the way to the edge, but otherwise did not see much.

The second dive was a little better. Again, I entered in front of the Tower, but this time I swam into the staghorn coral and zig-zagged East to West through the coral as I headed South, generally. I shot got lots of pictures. Saw a French Grunt biting other fish to protect his turf, which was a bit unusual. I got some interesting shots of an Arrow Crab and some yellow zoanthid. I also found an Atlantic Deer Cowrie, but was so intrigued by the animal that I forgot to photograph the really lovely shell it produced and the photos I did shoot are ugly shots of the animal with little definition. I really blew a rare opportunity.

2011-06-06T19:02:00.007-04:00

Used the Zuma Pro again and am really getting to like it. I headed due East from the shower just North of Tower 19. On the sand I found a few of the Amphipod holes and got some shots. I saw a little Green Turtle just as I got to the reef and swam after him to get a few pictures, but the pictures were not well exposed. I need to work on setting the strobe on the fly, as it were.

I continued to the East, but the current set me a bit. I found some Shark's Rock like rocks, which were off Tower 20 when I surfaced to look. I don't remember them as the Octopus Rock, but it could have been. It was on the Northern edge of the Staghorn Coral Forest. I continued on to the ledge and then went South looking for the medieval coral supports and rocks from yesterday. I found nothing, but I did come back through a part of the staghorn coral.

I got my tank changed and swallowed the rest of my coffee, so I could get to the flag before it disappeared for ever. While the surface interval was 23 mintues, it included my swim out to the middle of the reef where the reel caught on a sea rod. Anyway, I descended and headed to the Eastern edge of the reef. I was not able to find the large rock I found on my first dive, but I did find a Blue Cornetfish and I found an with its head sticking up above the sand as I swam to the beach. Too bad I could not see enough of the eel to identify it.

Diving the Ledge of Turtles with Dianne, Trisha and Nic

2011-06-05T06:04:00.009-04:00

Dianne and I picked up Nic and Trisha at 7:30 am and we headed for the beach. Our first dive was the Leddge of Turtles. We swam out to the reef and found the railing, then swam slowly on a 120 degree bearing until we came to the Ledge of Turtles. There was a large Green Turtle and a small Green Turtle on the Ledge. I went to the small one and got some pictrures, but both turtles swam off the Ledge. We looked around, then swam due East to the Shark's Rock. We explored the Rock and the surrounding rocks, then came back to the Ledge to find the small turtle swimming. I swam towards her and she turned and swam towards me. We swam together a bit and I got some nice video. Then we went back to the railing at 300 degrees, except that I swam over to the Crow's Nest and then to the railing. Nice dive.

The second dive started as did the first, swimming to the railing and then to the Ledge of Turtles. There were no turtles there when we got there, however, and we went more or less SE from there to the Eastern edge of the reef. We went South along the Ledge, then West and ran into the Fish Camp-like rocks and the medieval coral supports. They looked to be 300 degrees from Tower 20. We played around in the staghorn coral forest, then went North and ended up in front of Tower 20.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks with Luis

2011-06-04T16:35:00.008-04:00

Luis got a job, and it has been a while since we dove together. We decided to dive the Fish Camp Rocks, so we did. It was windy this morning and the surf was higher than it has been. Visibility over the sand was terrible, but got better on the reef. We descended on our bearing and just at the reef. I held a 90 degree course. Along the way, we encountered a Sharptial Eel and we both got some good shots. We swam slowly and I did not adjust much for current set because I did not think there was any. Although I about lost faith, I was right. It just took a long time to get there, but we hit the precursor rocks dead on and then went right in to the Fish Camp Rocks. Job well done. One of the coral plates had fallen off the Eastern most Rock. Too bad. Got some pictures of Bar Jacks and a Rainbow Parrotfish. Then we went to the Big Coral Knoll to hunt the lionfish I saw a week ago. We did not find it. Got some nice pictures of a Yellowtail Damselfish. We headed out to the South and found a Scrawled Filefish and a Scrawled Cowfish. Went to the Furry Rock and got some shots. The Giant Anemone I photographed a week ago was a mere shadow of itself. then we headed back. Near the sand, I came upon a small Green Sea Turtle lying on the reef. Unfortunatley, he was sleeping and I think my bubbles scared him. He jolted up and swam quickly away.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks with Dianne

2011-06-04T05:20:00.011-04:00

The lovely Dianne wanted to go diving this afternoon. We decided to wait until after the lifeguards quit for the day and maybe a few of the tourists had taken their cars to their hotel so we could find a place to park. Weekends are difficult. When we come up from our dives, cars are already circling and people are asking "Are you leaving?"

We went to the shop to fill tanks and Billy advised me that my Zuma Pro was in. So I dive it this afternoon. It seems a little flimsy at the truck when I am getting my shoulder through the straps and lifting it onto my back. In the water, though, it is light and effortless, so light that I had to add 2 pounds of weight. There is no back plate, but the straps cinch down tightly and the tank does not move. I liked this BCD aat the start of the dive and even more by the end. Get one.

After fawning over the Zuma Pro, Dianne and I entered in front of the Tower and swam out at 100 degrees, but we descended before reaching the reef and we got set by a North running current. I saw none of my landmarks on the way out. Still, I headed East, but we ended up at the Big Coral Knoll. I found a Hawksbill Turtle and got some shots. There was a lot of sand and material in the water, so I got a lot of backscatter. I was shooting wide-angle: the 28-135mm lens set on 70mm. I usually shoot the 100 mm macro lens. I'm usually close enough to my subject with that lens that I don't have a backscatter problem. But I miss the big picture shots and I have really been wanting a good shot of the Fish Camp Rocks.

From the Knoll, we swam South to the Fish Camp Rocks. I found and photographed a Clinging Crab, but it's just not the same in wide-angle. I also tried another video of a hermit crab pulling its shell onto its back. Still way to bouncy. Need a tripod.

We then swam to the Furry Rock. I tried to come back to the Fish Camp Rocks, but ended up East of the Big Coral Knoll. Just happened to recognize the area as we swam by. Swam back to the Fish Camp Rocks, then West to the beach. Fun dive as the sun was setting and the water was getting darker.

Finding the Ledge of Turtles

2011-06-03T19:17:00.007-04:00

The wind was up this morning, maybe 10 knots or better. The surf was a little bigger, but not bad. I entered in front of the main entry and swam to the reef, where I descended at the railing. From there, I swam 100 degrees, but I missed the Ledge of Turtles. I saw the crow's nest, but I missed the mid-way rocks and the Ledge. I swam around looking for the Shark Rocks. Once I found those, I back-tracked West and found the Ledge. There were two small Green Sea Turtles on the Ledge when I got there. Neither seemed particularly concerned about me and I got some good pictures, but I did not crowd them either. It was nice. I swam back on 300 degrees and went right to the railing. I had air left, so I explored a bit, looking for the crow's nest and the bearing to the railing. Turns out it was 110 degrees. So I was too far North: overcompensated for the South running current.

On the second dive, I descended at the railing and swam 120 degrees to the Ledge. The visibility had gotten worse. I did not see the crow's nest, but I did pass the mid-way rocks and the last rock. Then I was on the Ledge, but the turtles were not there. I explored a bit, then headed for Shark Rocks. Got a great picture of a Hogfish getting cleaned by a Neon Goby. Swam back to the Ledge and found both turtles. Nice.

Two Tries; Two Misses at the Ledge of Turtles

2011-06-02T21:04:00.008-04:00

I swim to the reef but cannot find the railing in the low visibility. I swim around, but have to surface to check my location. I descend again and am right on the railing. Now, I cannot remember the bearing I am to swim from the railing to the Ledge of Turtles. I swim out at 100 degrees, but I miss the Ledge of Turtles. I think I go South, but I'm not certain. I get to the edge of the dead staghorn coral and recognize the area. I swim North and find the Shark Rock. From there I swim West and get to the Ledge. The little Green Turtle is there as well as a Rock Hind and a Greater Soapfish, though I get pictures only of the turtle and the Rock Hind. I head West again to get to the railing, then to the beach. The current is moderately strong out of the North and it is difficult to correct for it.

I get out, dry off, change tanks and quickly get back in. I swim to the reef and descend at the railing. I swim out at 120 degrees, slowly, trying to control the current set. But I miss the Ledge. Again. I end up at the Shark Rocks and, again, swim back at 270 degrees to find the Ledge. My little Green Sea Turtle is there and I get some video and pictures. On the way back, I find a Fringed Filefish.

Diving Solo on the Ledge of Turtles

2011-06-01T19:12:00.009-04:00

I did not dive on Monday or Tuesday. I made 60 dives in May. That's enough. But today is Wednesday and its been a while since I've been in the water and I want to go diving. I get up early, but play with the dogs. I get to the beach around 7:30 am and get the first spot behind Tower 20. I want to dive the Ledge of Turtles.

The wind is from the East and fairly strong, maybe 12-14 knots. There is a small surf, so it hasn't been blowing all night. I swim out to the railing and change course to 100 degrees, but visibility is poor and I miss the Ledge. I stay on 100 degrees and end up at the Shark Rocks. I get oriented then come back at 270 degrees and find the Ledge. There is a little Green Turtle there. I get some pictures and then head back to the railing. I run into a Hawksbill and spend some time getting pictures of that turtle, then continue towards the railing. I miss it, but not by much and I quickly find it running a short U-Pattern search. Then I go to the beach to dry off, drink some coffee and change tanks.

I get back in the water after 15 mintues. Plenty of time to get to the reef before the lifeguards go on duty. This time, I head 120 from the railing and I get to the Ledge of Turtles. The Green turtle is there, but wary. He lets me swim with him some, but soon leaves the reef, only to return when he thinks I am otherwise occupied. Poor visibility generally, but it is nice to get back in the water.

Diving on the Staghorn Coral Forest with Dianne

2011-05-29T18:25:00.008-04:00

Dianne and I parked well South of Tower 19 and entered the water there. We swam out to the buoy line to descend. Once underwater, we headed NE, expecting to run into the staghorn coral forest. I'm not sure how we did it, but we missed the coral and ended up at the Ledge of Turtles, East of Tower 20. Because of the approach, I did recognize the Ledge at first. We found a small Green Sea Turtle at the Ledge and I got a couple of pictures. then we headed back. We found very few items of interest and I took fewer than 20 photos on the dive.

For our sedond dive, Dianne and I walked to Tower 19 and went East from there. We quickly ran into the Staghorn Coral Forest. I was looking for Pigfish, hoping to get a few good shots. Not only did we find Pigfish, but Dianne spotted an Indigo Hamlet. I got pictures of a Trumpetfish. I even found a small Fringed Filefish in the old coral. We were under 8 minutes shy of 2 hours and I surfaced with 650 psi.

Diving the Fish Camp Rocks Saturday Morning

2011-05-28T17:45:00.009-04:00

The beach was calm and quiet. Dianne and I entered in front of the Tower and swam to the reef on the 100 degree bearing. We then headed out at 90 degrees, but ran into a Hawksbill Turtle and swam with her for a few minutes. When we were through, we headed East, but nothing looked familiar and I had long since lost any sense of direction I had. I spotted some of the precursor rocks and we swam on in to the Fish Camp Rocks. No schools of midnight blue parrotfish, though. Dianne did find and point out a Bearded Fireworm. We swam to the Furry Rock, then across to the Big Coral Knoll. Dianne found some Anemones and I got some good pictures. We came back early because I had promised to meet Cole Evans at 9:00 am. We just made it.

Cole has his own regulator but I borrowed a BCD and 65 ft3 tank from Underseas Sports. Cole could carry the smaller tank on his back Cole, Dianne and I got back in and essentially repeated the first dive, except we did not see any turtles. I got lost, had no faith in my bearing and went North. I ran into the mid-way rock and disc, nowever, and we then swam right to the Fish Camp Rocks. No turtles. No sharks. No schools of parrotfish. Still, the water was relatively clear and there were lots of grunts. Cole touched everything. He even managed to hold a small yellow sand ray. I got a picture.

Cole made a second dive with us, using an 80 ft3 tank. He and I carried/drug it to the water and he put it on there. We were going to the ledge, so I was not worried about maintaining a bearing. Good thing. We passed over the Big Coral Knoll both on the way out and on the way back. We found lionfish. LIONFISH! Lionfish on the Big Coral Knoll. Got to get a spear. We also saw turtles. A small Green Turtle swooped down in front of me as I was skimming along the knoll. I got a couple of good pictures. We also saw a Barracuda on the sand on the way back to the beach.

Three Dives off Tower 18

2011-05-27T06:46:00.008-04:00

Luis and I met at the beach at 8:00 am and entered the water just North of Tower 18. We swam out East but found nothing interesting until we hit the Eastern edge. I don't think I took ten shots during the whole dive. The bottom was flat with sea rods and plumes. No turtles. No eels. Pretty dull.

Luis went to fill tanks during the surface interval. I stayed at the beach. When he got back, we geared up entered the water a little further North than on the first dive. We swam to the reef to descend, then headed East and ran into the Staghorn Coral Forest. There were a lot of fish there, but they were the usual reef fish. We continued on to the Eastern edge of the reef and dived South along the ledge. On the way back I was getting low on air and we found a Hawksbill Sea Turtle and swam with her for a while. I got some good photographs and some nice video. Near the beach, we spotted a Green Sea Turtle, but she was not interested in being photographed.

For our third dive, we entered in front of where we had parked and swam on the surface to the swim buoy line. Luis lost his lens cap almost immediately upon entry. He saw an eel and too quickly got the camera out to get the shot. We headed more or less East and were South of the staghorn coral forest, but we did not get as far as the Eastern edge of the reef. I did get a photo of something that I have yet to identify. At first, I thought it was a blenny, but it is not.

Thursday Afternoon Diving Tower 19 with Luis

2011-05-26T17:01:00.004-04:00

Luis and I met at the Shop to fill tanks, then drove to the beach to make an evening dive off Tower 19. My log book says that I found the Octopus off Tower 19 in January. I cannot seem to find the rocks, or really any rocks. Pretty flat out there except for the staghorn coral forest.

Luis and I dove a bit south of Tower 19 and managed to miss the Staghorn Coral Forest. We did find both a Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtle. I also got one shot of a very shy Blue Hamlet. I found an Orange Spotted Filefish who was not quite as shy, though certainly no model.

Two Solo Dives to the Fish Camp Rocks

2011-05-26T10:26:00.008-04:00

Since I would be taking a student there on Saturday, I thought it might be a good idea to dive the Fish Camp Rocks. I set up as usual and held my 90 degree bearing. I found precursor rocks and then the Fish Camp Rocks. When no one is around, it works out so well. I swam over to the Furry Rock to get some pictures, then to the Big Coral Knoll, where I got a photo of a Chub in spotted mode and several who were not. I also found and photographed a Flamefish, a Speckled Hermit Crab and a couple of Green Sea Turtles while at the Coral Knoll. On the way back to the beach, I found a Cushion Sea Star partially buried in the sand. I took a picture, but it did not come out very well.

On the second dive, I wanted to go to the Fish Camp Rocks, then out to the Ledge and look for my mark. I got lost, though, following and photographing a Green Sea Turtle and had trouble finding the Fish Camp Rocks. I never did make it out to the Ledge. I found the Rocks only because of the schooling Midnight Blue Parrotfish.

Three Dives in the Staghorn Coral Forest

2011-05-25T06:48:00.010-04:00

Luis was a little late getting to the beach so we started our dive at 8:00 am. We swam out due East from the Tower and into the Staghorn Coral Forest. I was looking for the medieval stands and rocks I saw yesterday, but could not find them. I did see a Green Moray Eel, a Blue Hamlet and a couple of Red Reef Hermit Crabs. Not much else, though. We went to the Eastern edge of the reef and back. I had planned to make a second dive before the lifeguard came on duty, but as Luis and I were talking on the beach, I watched the lifeguard and a supervisor arrive at the Tower. Luis had to go to work and I decided not to try to race into the water. I can't afford to anger anyone, I'm at the beach all the time.

Luis called early this afternoon. He was finished for the day and wanted to go diving. We met at the beach, parking right behind Tower 19. I discovered that I had forgotten to put in a CF card, but I had the 2 GB card in the jar, so I loaded that card. Luis and I went in just in front of the Tower and headed due East. Just before we ran into the Staghorn Coral Forest, I saw a guitar fish, but did not get any pictures. It was too fast. We swam over to the Eastern edge, and I came up to see two Grunts mouth to mouth, but I did not get a picture. By the time I got the camera up and focused, they were done. I did find both a Green and a Hawksbill turtle and got some video and pictures, both. On the way back to the beach, we found a Southern Atlantic Stingray.

Luis and I got back in the water quickly. I was a little concerned that it was getting late and the sun would soon set. We swam out on the sand hoping to find the stingray again, but did not. We swam through the staghorn coral and to the Eastern edge. On the way back, Luis spotted a small Nurse Shark.

Diving the Staghorn Coral Forest

2011-05-24T05:32:00.008-04:00

The wind was out of the East and 5 - 10 knots. There was a little surf, but not much. The visibility over the sand was bad, but opened up to about 15-20 feet on the reef. We entered just South of Tower 19 and swam out due East. We found a Staghorn Coral Forest, at one end of which was some sort of scientific equipment. We then swam to the Eastern edge of the reef and went South along the ledge. As we turned West, I found and got some shots of a Blue Hamlet, who had been quite shy initially, but them seemed to enjoy posing for me and then Luis, when he came. We had gone far enough South that we missed the Staghorn Coral Forest as we came back. I found and shot video of a Green Sea Turtle swimming. We got out of the water around 9:30 am.
Luis and I were changing gear and talking, when I watched the Lifeguard and a supervisor pull up to Tower 19. I quickly donned my gear and got in the water. I descended in 10 ft of water and swam over to the staghorn coral forest. I went into the coral, then to the Southern and Northern edges. On the Southern edge I found some odd medieval looking structures near several larger rocks. I swam around the coral trying to get some sense of how big it is and its general shape, but its difficult in such poor visibililty.

Diving Tower 19

2011-05-23T02:25:00.007-04:00

I parked well South of Tower 19 and entered the water just North of Tower 18. I let the current drift me to the North and swam out to the Eastern edge of the reef. I found a little Green Sea Turtle next to a coral head. The turtle had only its head under the coral. I startled her when the strobe went off and she quickly swam away. A few moments later, I found a Hawksbill Sea Turtle who was also sleeping in the open. I swam with her for a bit and got some nice video. I went through a large Staghorn Coral Forest and found a few big rocks, but nothing like I remember from January. I also found 3 metal bars embedded in the reef and about 1 ft apart. I have no idea what they were supposed to be. I found a lovely Blue Hamlet on the Eastern Edge of the reef, but I only got one shot. The Hamlet just disappeared after the first photo. On the way back to the beach, I seriously overcompensated for the current and ended up almost at Tower 17.

I moved up the beach to the North to begin my second dive. The current had diminished some. I just caught an edge of the staghorn coral forest and ran into a Smooth Trunkfish who was more amenable to being photographed. I swam to the Eastern edge again. On the way back I found an Indigo Hamlet and this fish stuck around for an entire photo shoot. Nice. No rocks, however.

Looking for the Octopus Rocks

2011-05-22T16:39:00.008-04:00

I had planned to go to the Pelican Grand and make 3 dives today, but there were no parking places. I ended up parking next to Tower 19 and its a long walk to get in the water after the Lifeguards start, so I decided to make only 2 dives. On the first dive, I swam on the surface out to the swim buoy line and descended. I wasn't quite to the reef, but close. I swam out due East to the Eastern edge of the reef. I did not find the Octopus rocks I had visited on 9 January 2011. I didn't find any significant placement of rocks. I did swim North along the ledge and found a lovely Blue Hamlet to photograph. It was a pleasant dive, just not what I had hoped to find.

On my second dive, I decided to swim to the reef, then go NE at about 45 degrees. The bottom was relatively flat and uninteresting until I came to the Ledge of Turtles. Yeah, the one I could not find on the second dive yesterday. I hardly recognized the place. It was a ledge and there were two Green turtles on it when I approached. It took a few moments before I started remembering and then I immediately identified the two coral heads on the mound of dead staghorn coral. I came back more or less due South, but found no other rocks. The Octopus Rocks must be South of Tower 19.

Diving the Ledge of Turtles with Luis

2011-05-21T12:28:00.008-04:00

I got to the beach first and Luis arrived about 15 minutes later. We geared up and got in. I swam out to the mark and showed it to Luis, then swam at 110 degrees to the Ledge of Turtles. There was a little Green Sea Turtle over the Ledge when we arrived. A second Green was tucked under the Ledge. LuisI found a Spotted Moray Eel in the Ledge. I had used a lot of air fighting the current on the way out, and used more chasing turtles. After we explored the Ledge, I did not have enough air to get out to the Shark Rocks and back, so we just killed time in the immediate area of the Ledge.

Our second dive was supposed to be just like the first. I wanted to get to the Ledge, then swim out to the Shark Rocks. But I missed the Ledge. Visibility had diminished, but we were off course. We missed the mid-way rocks. Anyway, we swam out to the Eastern Edge of the Reef and came upon the Shark Rocks on the way back. From there I navigated to the Ledge of Turtles. We spotted a Florida Regal Sea Goddess and a Striped Burrfish on the way back to the beach.

Mapping the Ledge of Turtles

2011-05-20T06:05:00.011-04:00

I got in the water shortly after 7:00 am, swam on the surface to the reef and descended. I wanted to make my first dive before meeting Luis this morning. I found the railling buried in the sand and covered with algae. From the railing, I swam at 120 degrees to adjust for a moderate current set and swam right to the Ledge of Turtles. On the Ledge, I found a small Green Sea Turtle, a Stoplight Parrotfish, a couple of Yellowtail Damselfish and various grunts, highhats and reef fish. I spent most of the dive at the Ledge, but did venture to the South a bit looking for more turtles.

Luis started the second dive with me, but just before we got to the Ledge of Turtles, an O-ring blew on his alternate airsource and he had to return to the beach. I saw him safely to the surface, then returned to the dive. I found the Ledge of Turtles and explored to the East and North some, looking for the Shark Rocks.

Since I was entering the water after 10:00 am, when the lifeguards are on duty, I could not go through the main entry. Instead, I hiked up to the fence, walked to the beach but hugged the fence as I walked North to the hotel beach to enter the water. I don't know if its because they have no jurisdiction over that beach or if they just do not see me, but I have found that the lifeguards leave me alone if I do not enter the water right in front of them. Once past the surf, I fin up and swim out. I descend on the reef, but swim South to the railing. From there, I head to the Ledge at 100 degrees. Actually, I swim at 120 degrees to compensate for the current set. Along the way, I find a small nurse shark just lying in the open. I swim right to the Ledge. Because I am fighting the current, however, I have used a good deal of air. I try to relax and drift over the reef.

When I got out and as I was packing up my gear to go home, the fellow who had parked directly behind me came by and chided me for diving without a buddy. At first I ignored him, but he was insistent. Wasn't I unsafe without a buddy? What if a shark attacked me? He obviously was not a diver and had no idea what he was talking about, but it sure didn't stop him from sharing his opinions with me. He was one arm-chair expert who has rejected the notion that the man on the ground is in a better position to analyze the risks and choose his own course of action than some expert or legislator. Pity.

Finding the Ledge of Turtles

2011-05-19T21:19:00.007-04:00

I entered through the main entry and swam to the reef keeping the power pole in the middle of the entry. Once on the reef, I was over what appears to be a railing from a small power boat half buried in the sand. From that mark, I swam out at 90 degrees. I found a hermit crab and got video of him coming out of the shell and righting it. I swam into and through a old staghorn coral forest. I turned South and found the Ledge of Turtles. There was a Hawksbill on site and I got some video. I also found a spotted moray eel bedded in the coral. Also found a Rock Hind and lots of other reef fish. Surfaced and got a bearing of 100 degrees to the main entry. Swam that bearing back to the beach.

My surface interval was short: just long enough to change tanks and then get back in quickly before the lifeguards showed up for work. Swam out to the reef and descended. Followed the same 100 degree bearing and found the Ledge of Turtles, but there were no turtles in evidence. I swam South a considerable distance and then back to the Ledge. Then I swam North even farther and returned to the Ledge and swam back at 280 degrees. First time I have been to the Ledge of Turtles and not seen a turtle. At least I found the place, though.

Luis Returns and We Dive Off Tower 17

2011-05-18T06:11:00.000-04:00

Luis has been on vacation in Hawaii, but did not get to dive. Our first dive is to the Fish Camp Rocks. We swim out from the Lifeguard Tower and descend over the reef. We then swim at 90 degrees but encounter a Hawksbill Sea Turtle almost immediately and swim with her considerably South, then North and East. I long since gave up holding a bearing. We spotted a second Hawksbill and followed her, as well. We are with her for a while. Of course my camera is not working. The battery is apparently dead, even though it worked just fine when I took the test shot at the truck. We stop following the second turtle and try to figure out where we are. I decide we can go to the Ledge then go North to find our mark, but it is unnecessary. I see fish schooling and swim to investigate. I find one of the precursor Fish Camp Rocks and we swim on in. The big Nurse Shark is not there today, but a much smaller shark is under one of the earlier rocks. I also find a fire worm and a speckled hermit crab. Then we head for the Big Coral Knoll and run into a little Green Sea Turtle who allows us to get very close. Its a great dive. Wish I had gotten pictures.

Luis left to fill out a job application. I replaced the battery in my camera. Dianne and I then made a second dive. We went to the Fish Camp Rocks then over to the Big Coral Knoll and North a ways looking for turtles. We did not find any. I did find a Goldentail Moray Eel on the Knoll and a juvenile yellowtail damselfish, but not much that was unusual.

Back to the Fish Camp Rocks

2011-05-17T05:21:00.005-04:00

Running even later this morning than yesterday. I geared up, swam out and descended in about 10 feet of water. Headed to the Fish Camp Rocks in a moderate current. I got disoriented and missed my marks. Spotted the Furry Rock. Swam to the Fish Camp Rocks and spotted the Nurse Shark where she was yesterday. Also found a Speckled Hermit Crab. Headed over to the Big Coral Knoll and found what I think is a Yellowheaded Jawfish. First one I have seen.

Switched tanks and got back in the water. Lifeguards will be here soon. I descend in 10 feet of water and try to hold 100 degrees out to the reef, but end up overcompensating. Get back on mark and swim out at 90 degrees to find the Fish Camp Rocks. I swim right to them. The Nurse Shark is still there and I find another hermit crab. This time, I get some good video of the crab crawling out and righting his shell.

Solo Off Tower 17

2011-05-16T06:15:00.008-04:00

I was running late, so I dropped to the sand in about 10 feet of water and swam out on the 100 degree bearing, except that when I surfaced at the reef I was well North of where I wanted to be. Need to keep doing this until I can adjust for current. I changed to 90 degrees at the reef and swam out slowly. I ran into what appears to be an older Hawksbill Turtle. The back of the carapace is torn as if something bit it or maybe a propellor struck it. This turtle also had 3 barnacles on its carapce. I found the precursor rocks and the Fish Camp Rocks. Lots of Midnight Blue Parrotfish and I found a large Nurse Shark under one of the Eastern rocks. Swam over the the Furry Rock and found a second Hawksbill on the way back. Headed back to the beach.

Second dive was just like the first except that I missed the Fish Camp Rocks. I spotted the furry Rock and found them that way. The Nurse Shark was back were I first saw her. I went to the Big Coral Knoll. Found a purplemouth Moray Eel when I was leaving. Also got some good shots of a Yellowtail Damselfish that flirted with the camera.

Dianne and I Dive South of the Pelican Grand

2011-05-15T22:01:00.008-04:00

Although we awakened quite early, neither Dianne nor I were eager to get to the beach this morning. It was cloudy out and had rained quite hard last night. The air temperature was a little colder than usual. We got to the beach around 9:00 am and had some trouble finding a place to park. We parked South of the Pelican Grand, really closer to Tower 19 than Tower 20. The water was warm and surprisingly calm, despite some breaking surf near the sand bar. We went East to the ledge starting mid-way between Towers 19 and 20. The visibility was not bad once we got on the reef. We saw two different Green Sea Turtles and I got video of each of them. We did not see much else, however. This was new and relatively uninteresting territory. We quit after only one dive.

Sita Armstrong Dives Tower 17

2011-05-14T07:49:00.010-04:00

I missed Sita's call last night and did not want to call too early this morning, so I went diving. Wind was calm and seas were flat. I dropped in about 10 feet of water and swam 100 degrees. I surfaced at the reef to discover that the current had set me considerably to the North. I swam back on my mark and descended. This time I was more careful about the current and I swam out to the Fish Camp Rocks. The school of Rainbow and Midnight Parrotfish was there and I got some pictures. I also found a nurse shark, but got a picture without scaring her off. I swam over to the Furry Rock and got some pictures of Sergeant Majors. Squeezing the aperature to f/25 blacks out much of the background and produces a portrait-like image. Swam to the Big Coral Knoll and found a Hawksbill under the Eastern edge. As I left the Knoll, I spotted a Purple mouth Moray Eel under a coral head.

Sita had called while I was on the first dive, so I returned the call and met her at the Bridge. I got her some gear and we went back to the beach. I wanted to make essentially the same dive as the first dive, but I was off to the South. Spotted the Furry Rock, so we started there. Went to the Fish Camp Rocks and found the Nurse Shark just where I'd left her. Also found a Speckled Hermit Crab in a small shell. Went to the Big Coral Knoll, but the Hawksbill had moved on. Found a nudibranch: a purple-spotted Sea goddess, I think. Also found a Giant Tunicate. Lot of surge in the water, but a fun dive.

Three More Dives Unsuccessfully Looking for the Ledge of Turtles

2011-05-13T07:12:00.010-04:00

The day started badly. I left my keys behind when I walked out of the house and locked the door. Fortunately, the kitchen windows are jalousie windows. I rescued my keys and was headed to the Pelican Grand in under 15 minutes. Its the awful feeling I get when I realize I have done something stupid. Then I think, well, of course, I'm off to look for the Ledge of Turtles, again. Its the theme for the day. I am also shooting macro, so I am looking for Jawfish with eggs and other smaller creatures, such as the Amphipods that live in perfectly round holes in the sand.

I descend before the swim buoys and head out at 90 degrees. There is a moderate current to the North and I am aware that I am being set, but it is difficult to quantify because of the limited visibility. I find the Shark Rocks and the little Fish Camp Rocks. I find the Staghorn Coral forest. I do not find the Ledge of Turtles. I do encounter a large Red Grouper who stares me down.

The second dive is essentially the same as the first, except that I do not find the Shark Rocks. I do not find the Ledge of Turtles, either, but I do find and get video of a Hawksbill turtle and then a smaller Green turtle. Unfortunately, Blogger is reluctant to let me upload videos.

In order to elude the Lifeguards, I walk to the Northern most shower and then North along the fence on the beach so that I am no longer on the "public" beach when I swim out for my third dive. I swim South and find the Shark Rocks and spend some time swimming with a Smooth Trunkfish, trying to get a face shot. Long day, but it ends so much better than it started.

Diving with Billy Yates

2011-05-12T06:18:00.010-04:00

I got to the beach at 8:00 am, geared up and got in the water. I went out on the sand, but surfaced over the reef to discover that the current had set me considerably to the North. I swam back on the bearing and descended again. This time, I compensated for the current, but found a turtle and swam off-bearing to get some video of the turtle swimming. Notwithstanding this detour, I ended up at the Fish Camp Rocks and got some video of a nurse shark. I then swam over to the Furry Rock, then over to the Big Coral Knoll. Found some eels, I felt pretty confident I could find my way again.

Billy Yates and his German friend, Robin, were carrying their gear down the beach as I was coming out of the water. I stalled a bit until my parking stub ran out and I could post more time. Then we all geared up and swam out on the surface. Robin was not a fan. We descended just short of the reef. I tried to keep on a 90 degree course, but we somehow got the the Eastern edge of the reef without seeing either the Fish Camp Rocks or the Furry Rock. I headed South along the ledge and turned West when Robin was down below 1500 psi. We saw some Cowfish and Smooth Trunkfish, but I did not get any spectacular shots. We saw no nurse shark and no turtles. I was disappointed, but Billy and Robin both claimed to have enjoyed themselves, but they were not interested in a second dive.

I Found the Shark Rocks Twice

2011-05-11T15:52:00.000-04:00

The wind was a little stiffer this morning than it has been and there was a bit of a surf. I entered through the main entry area. I swam out into 12-14 feet of water and descended before getting to the swim buoys. I continued onto the reef at 90 degrees. I was looking for another Sailfin Blenny like I found yesterday. While I captured pictures of the Blenny going in and out of its hole, I was not successful in getting a photo of his sailfin unfurled. I found a Purplemouth Moray Eel in an overturned coral head and got some good pictures.

I swam towards the Eastern edge of the reef, but ran into some Fish Camp like rocks that lead me to the Shark Rocks. I headed SW from there and expected to find the Ledge of Turtles, but no such luck. West to the beach, but way South of my entry point.

Like the first dive, I descended well before the swim buoys and headed East at 100 degrees. I had to hurry because the Lifeguards usually get to the beach by 9:45 am, and they have some rule about not solo diving. I found the same purplemouth moray eel in the overturned coral head and several fish at two larger rocks. I expected to find the Shark Rocks again, but did not. Instead, I went all the way to the Eastern edge of the reef. I did not see the Ledge of Turtles, the Shark Rocks or even the Staghorn Coral Forest. I headed South along the ledge for a ways, then turned back to the beach. I ran into the Shark Rocks. I must have just past them to the North coming out. I headed SW, but did not find the Ledge of Turtles. Still, it was a nice dive.

Still Looking for the Ledge of Turtles

2011-05-10T04:20:00.011-04:00

I was late getting to the beach again, but its calm and quiet. I descend well before the swim buoy and swim out at 90 degrees, looking for the Ledge of Turtles and taking shots of blennies and gobys and a small sharptailed eel. I swim until I come to the Eastern edge of the reef and then come back and to the South. I find the Shark Rocks, which are like the Fish Camp Rocks, but much bigger. No sharks, however. No Ledge of Turtles.

I hurried to change tanks and get back in the water before the Lifeguards showed up. I descended earlier than I usually would on the theory that if they arrived and I was underwater, they would not know I was diving solo. I found a few Amphipods in the sand, but did not get any good pictures. They seemed very wary. I made my way up the reef and actually found a small green turtle to swim with, but no Ledge of Turtles. I have no idea where it is.

Looking for the Ledge of Turtles

2011-05-09T04:49:00.000-04:00

I forgot my weights, again. I did not notice until the very end of the dive, when I felt a little light. Otherwise, I seemed well balanced the entire dive. Maybe I should skip them all the time.

Headed East from the main entry. Got to the reef near a buoy and line on the bottom. Looking for the Ledge of Turtles. I found the Staghorn Coral Forest and I found some rocks like the Fish Camp Rocks, with the plates of small coral. I did not find the Ledge. Did find a Sharptail Eel and a small green turtle, but no ledge. Also found a small nurse shark that swam in front of me for a short while.

Second dive was much like the first, except this time I brought my two weight packets with 2 pounds each. I felt heavy for much of the beginning of the dive.

I dropped to the sand in 10 feet of water and worked my way East looking for Amphipods. Never got any good shots, though. Got up on the rise, but did not find the Ledge. Lots of dead staghorn coral. Not a lot to photograph, and I discovered that the lens has slipped into a mode that allows it to focus only to .48 meters instead of the .31 meters that is its minimum focal length.

Solo Sunday

2011-05-08T04:01:00.005-04:00

What a gloriously calm morning. Sun shining. Seas quiet. The visibility was not bad, though it could have been better.

I switched back to the 100 mm macro and the flat port. I decided against adding a diopter, which really limits me to shooting super macro.

There was a slight current and I must have over compensated, swimming just South of the Fish Camp Rocks. I noticed a school of midnight blue parrotfish and followed them North to the Rocks. Got some shots of the parrotfish, then headed for the Big Coral Knoll. Got some nice video of a Green Sea Turtle as well as some still shots, though the video is apparently too big to load on picasaweb or blogger. On the way back to the beach, I spotted a small Rough Box Crab. Odd creature.

Pleasant dive in okay visibility and calm seas. I would have liked to make several dives, but Dianne committed us to an 11:00 am lunch.

Diving the Ancient Mariner with Scubatyme

2011-05-07T22:27:00.000-04:00

Guillermo, Leonardo and Felipe signed up for the shallow reef dive with Scubatyme. I got them equipment from Underseas Sports and we got to the boat about 6:45 am on Saturday morning. The parking lot was already pretty full, but there
was room for two more cars. We signed the releases, loaded gear and left with Captain Dave and Divemaster (divemistress?) Amanda.

Sands Harbor Marina is about 20 minutes from the ocean via the ICW. Winds were calm and the sea was flat. We were going to be diving the Ancient Mariner, which is a 165-foot steel ship sunk as part of the Broward County Artificial Reef Program on 9 June 1991.

The vessel was built in Point Pleasant, Virginia, in 1934. She was commissioned as a Navy search and rescue vessel. During WW II, she served as a Nazi submarine hunter until decommissioned in
1964. In 1979, she was converted into a floating restaurant and bar, but financial problems forced the sale of the vessel to a new owner, who

rescheduled the restaurant's opening to 1981. Just before the opening, however, she capsized
and sank at the dock, for no apparent reason. It cost more than $85,000 to refloat and renovate the vessel. When it reopened, the Ancient Mariner operated as a popular eatery until 1986, when more than 100 customers and employees contracted hepatitis A from an infected salad maker employed at the restaurant.

Divemaster Amanda tied off to the wreck and reported that there was a moderate to strong current running South on the bottom and suggested that we stay in the lee of the boat. The four of us entered the water and began pulling ourselved down the descent line. I had set up my camera with a 28-105 mm lens and a dome port for wide angle shooting, but couldn't set up the shoot and hold the line in the current. When I got on the bottom I tried to take all three guys into the wreck where we would be protected by the current. Guillermo and Leonardo were eager to penetrate, but Felipe held back. Guillermo and I left through a hole in the port wall and swam to the bow of the vessel, but neither Felipe nor Leonardo followed. Guillermo and I returned and found them exactly where we had left them.

Once everyone started exploring the wreck, Guillermo signalled that he was really low on air and needed to go up. I nodded okay and went to get Leonardo and Felipe to swim to the line. When we got there, Guillermo was nowhere in sight. We went up the line and I indicated a safety stop at 20 feet. As I hung there, I kept watching the air bubbles leaving the wreck. I was fairly certain that they were just air pockets left by the divers who had explored the vessel. But what if Guillermo was still on the wreck. I had plenty of air, so I dropped back down and went through the vessel to be sure that Guillermo was not there, then returned to Leonardo and Felipe so we could surface together and re-board Scubatyme. Guillermo was already on board. He had not had a watch or computer, so his safety stop was really just a pause, which was why I could not see him when I got to the line.

Our second dive was a drift dive on Turtle Ledge. There were a lot of interesting fish to see, but the wide-angle setup I had chosen for the camera prevented me from getting any good shots. There was too much haze around the reef to get good seascape photos, so I took a few shots of the guys and called it good.