I get so excited every year when it is lobster season. The outpouring of human energy and emotion over lobsters is so touching. Out of respect for the little guys I decided to participate in more lobster hunting trips this year. I thought it was so sweet that the Sea Divers chartered a boat for two whole days for lobster hunting.

This trip was scheduled to go to Cortes Bank. I've only been to Cortes once and I've always wanted to go back. I remember the cool waves in the middle of "nowhere" and the beyond belief visibility.

When I arrived at the Peace I learned that due to bad weather we wouldn't be making our scheduled 9pm departure, we would be leaving early in the morning instead.

I was sad about the change in destination, but, I had a talk with my friend "Mr. Lobster" and he didn't mind too much. Mr. Lobster was just delighted to be going out on a boat on a real lobster hunting trip. This is Mr. Lobster bringing his spear gun down the boat ramp. Mr. Lobster loves to hunt.

Mr. Lobster signed in and had some snacks.

He checked his gear.

And socialized with Sea Divers friends for a while.

Next he brushed his teeth and got tucked in his bunk for a bumpy ride to his happy lobster hunting grounds.

Mr. Lobster was having such a nice trip until Chris burst the bubble.

The Peace crew sat me down and patiently explained that this was a trip for people to hunt lobsters, it wasn't a trip for lobsters to go hunting.

Uh Oh, poor Mr. Lobster I tried to talk the Sea Divers into hunting for lobsters on the Oil Rig Grace. Somebody needs to document that there are no lobsters there, but, they wouldn't go for it.

In the morning we were at our alternative Santa Cruz Island.

It wasn't long before the the first lobsters began arriving on the boat.

The terrain at the first several dive sites was very interesting. Many of the rocky reefs were carpeted with Colonial Sand Tube Worms.

There were lots of critters suitable for macro and close up photography.

At some of the dive sites, visibility was very good.

Day turned into evening and night. The kelp was lit by dive lights as the lobster hunting continued.

Diving on day two stated early at Santa Rosa Island. An interesting feature of some of the dive sites was the thick ground cover of sea cucumbers.

The boat continued to load up with lobsters.

On the last dives, Chris let me use his digital camera. I decided to keep it simple and shoot things that wouldn't move around too much, a Rockfish hung around and let me practice on him. The digital shutter lag has improved as Chris has upgraded his cameras, but it was still noticable to me - a dedicated film addict.

Our diving over we headed back to Ventura 115 lobsters heavier.

Until next time........