Phil and I try to dive Hermosa Artificial Reef as often as possible in order to photograph & document the appearance of individual Giant Sea Bass. So far, we've positively identified two GSB that have frequented the same site continuously for more than a year.

Full-on side shots are boring for a dive report, but critical with regard to identification. We want to get close enough and expose the shot sufficiently well that we can reliably distinguish their individual characteristics. GSB are fairly tolerant of an inch-by-inch approach, so we can usually get a shot of one side or the other. But images of them can be difficult to interpret for two reasons. For one thing, GSB can lighten or darken their background significantly at will. Making positive identification even more challenging, their pattern of spots is different on the left side from that on the right side.

It's always a little mind-blowing to see these magnificent fish. You never know when one will sneak up from behind to check you out. I often just like to stay still and watch, absorbing their presence.

Phil and GSB

A gravid treefish

Phil found this tiny (new-to-us, & uncommon locally) Abronica abronia, formerly Cuthona abronia

Hermissenda opalescens on a brown seascape, reflecting the unhealthy invertebrate substrate (I think).

Ditto this Triopha catalina. Brown almost everywhere!

Polycera tricolor mating.

Salmacina tribranchiata and sponge.