As we head into the end of August it's easy to see the beginning of fall setting in on the reef. We dropped in at high tide and the visibility had decreased considerably from the middle of the summer. The water was filled with debris from the dieing algae bloom and the slowly decaying kelp in the shallow areas near shore. In the middle of the summer the multitude of green leaf and purple kelp was so thick it completely obscured the sandy floor beneath. Now, as we headed down the line, windows were opened to the grey and brown sandy bottom.
 |
| Frosted Nudibranch on brown kelp |
The clusters of squid eggs, opened at the ends where the squids escaped, had decayed with just a few scattered remains left. The Nudibranch's were out in force as we reached further along the line with more appearing as we closed in on the main reef. All colors of Frosted Nudibranch's from pale yellow to deep orange and brown covered the sandy floor to the walls of the reef. While they showed up last week even more were apparent this week with the distinct absence of the (Lemon Nudibranch's) that had blossomed on the reef in the spring. Periodically, the reef lit up with the brightness of the sun on the beach allowing me to find Ryan and his video camera. Steve was ahead of us taking pictures and only visible when his spotting light flashed our way.
 |
| Copper Rockfish |
Copper Rockfish were sparingly scattered around the main reef with an occasional Starfish and Sunflower Star moving along the sand. On the lower reef the visibility did not improve and still no octopus had inhabited the den awaiting for a new tenant. The lower reef though was still covered with Rockfish, but fewer crabs and the Ratfish so numerous just a few weeks ago had disappeared. As we headed back up the line, onto the main reef and into shore we looked towards our next Thursday evening dive.
No comments:
Post a Comment