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The great diving conditions this past week evaporated with a large west swell. Finally on the third dive, we found calm water and had an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Palos Verdes. Thanks to Scott for putting the trip together.

Nice shot on the dolphin. I had expected rough conditions, I was pleasently disappointed. It was a great day to be on the water among diving friends. On a warm sunny mid-January day. It makes one think...what are they doing in North Dakota today.

WalterM

here's some UW pics I took yesterday.. nice day on the water, 3rd dive was really nice..


black-eyed goby


vermillion rockfish


Limacia cockerelli


Lingcod


blue-ringed top snail


injured wolf-eel on "the pipe". this poor guy had cuts or bite marks or something in a couple places.

here's some topside photos










Silouette of Peter, Captain richard, peter & dana & walter & linda, suzie, james, earl, brooke & dana, kevin, greg, peter & scott, billy, kalani

Missing: ScubaBob - where were you hiding?

here's some photos from Susie that she sent to me.

Blood star, painted greenling, kellet's whelk with barnacles growing on it.

Nice shots, all, I hope to get mine done sometime this century.

The first couple dives were disappointing except for the wolf eel, which was a real treat. The last dive was beautiful, and the best vis of the day at a whopping 8' (give or take, at times), plus abundant critters!

Topside antics on the beautiful trip back (complete with dolphins playing in the wake) topped off a gorgeous day... and yes, the thought ran through my head several times: Not many places in the country are capable of having a day this great in January!

Edit: I was pretty exhausted when I got home... barely enough energy to toss the critical gear in some water to soak and crash hard! All three dives had a lot of energy expended fighting the surge, and were pretty deep and long, so not entirely surprising. Still, I wouldn't trade it for a day at work!

Edit edit: And a final thank you to Scott, for putting the trips together, being a great buddy, and introducing me to to the game of "flick the crud in the water" during our deco stop on our last dive. Nothing like some amusement to alleviate boredom! LOL

Hi ya'll there - Scott - these flicks are sooo awesome - I am Dana's Mom in Colorado - My love is still OCEAN and now my rocky Mountains.....so Glad you all had a fun day. Momma Sus (Susan Santore) Coming Skiing or mountain exploring soon!

Edit: [DANA HERE: I guess when my mom went to the forum, she was logged in as me! Sorry! But she loves seeing pictures and hearing stories... so I often forward them to her...]

here's one of two injuries the wolf eel had. maybe a bite mark?

interesting story, 2 friends of mine who dove this spot a couple weeks ago found the same wolf eel. they brought it up, photographed it on the boat, and released it.

Great pics everyone - happy to see that I escaped the mugshots by hanging out in the sun on the bow!!

Love the cockerelli's!

EDIT: Forgot to say - thanks to everyone for a nice day on the water. And a special thanks to Dana and Scott for leading us in the group karaoke of Bohemian Rhapsody!

Not much too add, but here's the shots least effected by the ssssssuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrggggggeeeeeeee

Bright Red Sculpin on the sewage pipe


Spanish Shawls (the only slugs for dive 1 & 2)


Bay Goby - I think - thought it was a regular black-eyed goby at first?


and the rest of the pics from Hawthorne's:

Lemon Dorids - not as many as in November - but still several quite a few on the reef -


Cadlina luteomarginata - Bound to see more of these next time


Cadlina limbaughorum


Purple Cowrie? (I think this was an old shell with years of growth)


California Sea Cucumber