Dive report - La Jolla Cove 7/9/11

Diver Julie Lorenzen in the murky kelp forest.

Date: 7/9/11
Location: La Jolla Cove
Time in: 8:56 am
Time under: 36 min
Max depth: 33 ft
Avg temp: 59 F
Vis: 5-10 ft
Waves: 1-3 ft, some breaking in the cove
Buddies: Julie L., Mikey B.

Photos: http://www.underpressurephoto.com/Dive-Reports/20110709-Scuba-La-Jolla-Cove/


Diver Mikey Bear in the kelp forest.


Highlights: Getting out and diving!

It was great to get out and dive with Julie and Mikey. Conditions were less than ideal underwater, but pretty darn nice above. We went searching for sevengills, but had to settle for just enjoying getting wet. I got to practice my closeup, wide angle diver shots (since vis was pretty bad).


Mikey Bear and Julie Lorenzen after the dive.

Tribute to 'NOAA Jim' Kinane

I met Jim Kinane in 2008, when I went out diving on the Scuba Do. Jim was always there, ready to assist. He was always ready to give advice when asked and was always concerned with the safety of other divers. He would rarely ask for any help himself. He always kept us entertained above water with stories about technical dives he'd done in the past or stories about work. Jim was my favorite diver photo subject.



This past weekend (6/25/11), Jim joined Mikey, Barbara, Marla, my parents and me for a dive trip to the Pt Loma kelp beds on my parent's boat. Jim had a great day with us out on the water.



He passed away on Saturday, 7/2/11 due to health issues while on the surface, above the HMCS Yukon. He will be missed immensely by a great many people. This photo album is my tribute to him.

http://www.underpressurephoto.com/Underwater/NOAA-Jim-Kinane/17856086_XHKVsJ

Dive report - La Jolla Shores 7/2/11

Yellow Dorid (Acanthodoris lutea)

Date: 7/2/11
Location: La Jolla Shores
Time in: 6:56 AM
Time under: 64 min
Max depth: 86 ft
Min temp: 54 F
Vis: 20+ below 60 ft and the thick green soup
Waves: 2-3 ft with some energy.
Buddies: Kim, Terry & Marla

More photos: http://www.underpressurephoto.com/Dive-Reports/20110702-Scuba-LJS/


Mating White spotted porostomes (Doriopsilla albopunctata)

Highlights: Nice relaxing dive at the old standby, LJS. My first photos of a Acanthadoris lutea (yellow dorid). Lots of juvenile octopi.

Met in the parking lot at 6 AM, trying to beat the Independence Day weekend crowds and got front row parking. Got out through the largeish surf and many surfers spread south past the life guard tower. Dropped down into the green gloom, the type where you can't see your fin tips very well from the surface. As we continued dropping past 60 feet, the visibility opened up into a dark expanse. We hit bottom around 85 feet and slowly made our way back up to the wall at 60 feet. Visibility wasn't as good along the wall, but not terrible either, probably 10-12 ft. Flashlights were handy for keeping track of dive buddies.


Mating San Diego Dorids (Diaulula sandiegensis)

There were many juvenile octopi out below the wall and at Vallecitos Point. Lots of mating nudibranchs and I saw two different yellow dorids. The point is also covered in various colors of spiny brittle stars. We exited closer to Vallecitos St and avoided the surf and surfers. Breakfast at Starbucks topped off the morning.


Sculpin

Scott

Dive report - Pt Loma Kelp Beds 6/25/11

Jim scooters by the anchor.

Date: 6/25/11
Location: Somewhere near Camel Head, Pt Loma

Dive #1
Time in: 10:55 am
Time under: 47 min
Max depth: 79 ft
Min temp: 56 F
Vis: ~20 ft below the green gloom
Waves: 2-3 ft swells
Buddies: Marla, Jim, Mikey, Barbara


Marla swims over the reef.

Dive #2
Time in: 1:42 pm
Time under: 44 min
Max depth: 88 ft
Min temp: 56 F
Vis: ~20 ft below the green gloom
Waves: 2-3 ft swells
Buddies: Marla

More photos: http://www.underpressurephoto.com/Dive-Reports/20110625-Scuba-Pt-Loma/

Highlights: Getting out on my parent's boat with good friends.


Proliferating Anemone (Epiactis prolifera) on kelp.

I took 4 dive buddies out on my parent's boat to dive Pt Loma. Conditions were good, with sun and mild swells (for the first dive). There was a thick layer of algae down to about 40 ft and it opened up a little to about 20 ft vis below that. On the first dive, I shot wide angle, though conditions weren't very good for it with a lot of surge.


Club-tipped Anemone (Corynactis californica)

In between dives, we had a yummy black forest cake for Mikey's (22nd?) birthday. :) I switched to macro, but realized after dropping down that the focus limiter on the 60mm macro lens was on. Fortunately, it was still usable, so I had to practice taking photos with with a little more surroundings, rather than closeups.

Thanks to my mom for taking photos above water:


Barbara, me, Marla, Mikey, my dad and Jim.


Ready to do a giant stride.


Mikey, Marla and I ready to drop.