Date: 9/10/09
Dive Location: Vets
Buddy(ies): Angelique / Dana / Kyle
Time: 8:27 pm.
Bottom Time: 1 hr
Max Depth: 67 fsw
Vis: 15 – 20
Wave height: 2- 3 feet (Wind Chop)
Temp at depth: 63F
Surface Temp: 70F

Huge gathering last night to celebrate Angelique’s Birthday!!

The conditions were good except for the big wind that kicked up in the late afternoon. The surf report had almost no waves but the heavy wind changes the situation dramatically.

We all took our time getting ready and we all basically entered around the same time. Our group decided on the middle stairs so we made our way to the shoreline. Getting out was interesting because of the choppy water. The waves actually kicked up based on the wind and getting through it was challenging. On our way out to the drop point, we were getting bounced around quite a bit.

We dropped at the end of the pier and began to make our way down into the canyon. On the way out, Dana pulled out a special gift for Angelique and we all gathered around for Dana to sing “Happy Birthday” to her. At this point our foursome split up and Angelique and I quickly made our way down the slope. The plan was to do a max of 70 or so and then work our way back taking time to shoot critters in the Salad Bowl.

Our first sighting was a small sized Fringehead, so we both took turns taking pictures. After that we found some Blacksmith resting in some kelp. It was interesting to be able to get so close to them. For nudis, there were quite a bit of small sized Triopha Maculates and Dirona Pictas out tonight. We did run across a few Spanish Shawls but this was all that we saw. As we began to make our way back up we came across quite a few lobsters that were pretty large. Angelique actually caught one for a photo opportunity. Next, we ran into a small juvenile giant kelpfish that did not mind us hanging around with it. We took out time shooting as much as possible in the Salad Bowl area until we ran into a small baby horn shark. I tried to corral him for a photo op which was difficult because he did not want to have any part of us. Then, Angelique got a little creative and just grabbed the critter and began taking close up pictures.

You know when you are having a good time when through out the dive you end up laughing your ass off at things that happen. This was definitely one of those dives. At one point in about 15 feet of water we ran into a good sized pipe fish. Angelique quickly started taking pictures as we swayed back and forth in the current. Talk about futile..LOL Oh the joys of beginning underwater photography.

Here are some highlights below: