Phil won't be diving for another month or so while recovering from sinus surgery. As a result, he has become my own personal DM. He sets up my tank, lays out my gear, hands me the weight belt, bustles around the deck, rinses the gear, soaks the camera, and even manages the anchor and all the other boat trappings. Whoa, I could get used to this.

With heavy hearts, it's up to Kevin and I to bring home the bacon. This weekend we dove on Garden Spot, tried a new area at Christmas Tree Cove, and visited the Giant Sea Bass on Hermosa Artificial Reef.

On Sun., Scott and Margaret Webb, and Jim Lyle met up with us on HAR. For some reason, Margaret has developed a special rapport with the broomtail groupers, and is repeatedly able to get remarkable photographs of them.

An unexpected 1-inch warm-water find at Garden Spot, the Cortez Damselfish, Stegastes rectifraenum. ID thanks to John Moore. Pesky, lurking, calico bass prevented me from spending time with the little fella, as I didn't want him to become a meal.

Austraeolis stearnsi

Simnia snail laying eggs, Delonovolva aequalis

Tiny amphipods are thick on red gorgonian.

Megalomma pigmentum, a sabellid worm.

Pacific Angel Shark, Squatina californica
Wandering west on Hermosa Artificial Reef, I encountered the largest angel shark I've ever seen. Note its size compared to the perch.

Giant Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas

We're still seeing different GSBs than the ones we photographed earlier this month.

As I was ascending the anchor line, this GSB decided to check out our green anchor.

Not a good photo, but it shows how they congregate in the "bowl".

Kelp rockfish, Sebastes atrovirens

Olive rockfish, Sebastes serranoides

• Re: From the Mini to the Mega Brad 18:36:43 09/22/15 (2)
  • Re: Re: From the Mini to the Mega I Love Brad 19:18:06 09/28/15 (0)
  • GSB eyeing the anchor Merry 19:14:13 09/22/15 (0)
• Re: From the Mini to the Mega halibug 11:25:51 09/22/15 (0)
• Re: From the Mini to the Mega Jim 06:58:09 09/22/15 (0)