Before Steve and I set out at Rockaway he told me the visibility wasn't so good in the shallows but cleared up at the main reef. That was partially true. The visibility wasn't so good in the shallows but didn't clear up at the main reef. That was okay though, this was Puget Sound and any visibility past your mask is a good day. In reality it wasn't bad and I could always find Steve by the red focus light on his new camera.
The Coonstripe Shrimp were guarding the entrance to the main reef. At least they were until I put my finger out to touch them and they scattered. Actually, I was testing them to make sure they knew to move when the new GPO that moved into a crevasse on the main reef came around. I wouldn't have noticed it except Steve signalled to me where it was.
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| Coonstripe Shrimp |
The Frosted Nudibranchs have all but disappeared from the main reef with just a few scattered here and there. A few weeks ago the Frosted Nudibranch's covered the main reef as well as the sandy floor of the shallower depths. Other nudibranchs (Nanaimo Dorids, Leopard Dorids and a Monterey Sea Lemon) have taken there place but not to the same extent.
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| Shrimp and Nanaimo Dorid |
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| Monterey Sea Lemon |
The Kelp is beginning to die back signalling the slow approach of Winter with its drop in water temperature and disappearance of large fish. Copper Rockfish were still around along with a single Spotted Rat Fish and numerous small Sculpins and Black Eyed Goby. The good part here is that the Anenome's are more visible. I came upon a couple on my approach back to the beach. There colors are brilliant and they are always a pleasure to see.
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| Anenome |
By the time we got out the the waves had picked up and I twisted my ankle on a rock on the way out of the water. Too tired to say anything I hobbled up to the car and changed. Another good day in Puget Sound.
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