diver.net

The Sea Divers Trip to the Pinnacles of San Miguel Island, September 7-8, 2007


JuJee Beads, handmade flamework glass beads


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ California Scuba Diving BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Chris on September 19, 2007 at 22:40:27:

The Peace with the Sea Divers aboard departed Ventura Harbor on Friday at 1 AM and we headed for San Miguel. I don’t really know what the ride most of the night was like because I slept.

I got up at first light and we were just passing Santa Rosa Island and crossing the passage on our way to San Miguel Island. In the distance behind the boat I could see two Blue Whales.

We stopped for our first dive at Skyscraper, our first pinnacle for the day. Because of the swell it was quite a bit of surge at the top, but once I got down a ways it was relatively calm. I took many pictures of Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) at this site.

Our second pinnacle was Boomerang Bank. I this dive I choose to hunt for Rock Scallops and left my camera behind. I got my day’s limit of 10 nice scallops, mostly below 110 feet.

The third dive was an unnamed pinnacle West of Wilson Rock. This is the only dive of the trip I took my dome port wide-angle camera on. I got some very nice wide-angle macro shots, especially of Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) on Calliarthron cheilosporioides (Articulated coralline algae), which is fairly common and something I had ignored in the past. However it caught my interest on this dive.

Our fourth dive was at a site called Oil Springs. It is a series of pinnacles and canyons in a deeper area outside of the Point Bennett foul area. I found one spot there where almost everywhere I looked I found Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin).

After four deep dives Captain took us to Lovers Cove inside of Cuyler Harbor for the fifth dive. This is the only dive of the trip I sat out.

For I night dive we move a short distance to behind the protection of Hare Rock. It was a bit of surge and the water was thick with fish fry and krill so the visibility was not great. When I got to the bottom I was amazed to see Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp) almost everywhere. Later in the dive I found an juvenile Loxorhynchus grandis (Sheep Crab). I then came upon a small area of hermit crabs all inside long tubes. I had never seen these before so I spent the rest of my dive observing and photographing them until my air supply said it was time to go. They turned out to be Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab).

The first dive of our second day (sixth of the trip) was at Richardson Rock. I love this spot because it is so lush. When we got down below we had well over 60 foot visibility, the best of the trip. There was one area that had thin yellow encrusting sponge covering much of the Rock. Because this a preserve I did not take a sample. When I got home and looked I can’t seem to find this species in any of the books in my library.

Our seventh dive of the trip was at Wilson Rock. On this dive I choose to hunt for Rock Scallops and left the camera behind. This was not a good choice. I only found three decent scallops and I came across the smallest octopus I had ever seen. I wish I could have gotten a picture.

Our eighth and last dive of the trip was at Egg Rock, a pinnacle in the San Miguel Passage between San Miguel Island and Santa Rosa Island. The most interesting thing I saw on this dive was the huge Blacksmith. They were back under a deep ledge, but were by far some of the biggest I have ever seen. Unfortunately I could not get close enough for a picture.

On the way home off of Santa Cruz Island we encountered a pair of Blue whales. Captain Kevin stopped the boat for a few minutes so we could watch them.

It was another great Sea Divers trip. Captain Kevin put us on fantastic dive spots the whole trip and the crew of the Peace did a great job.

I hope you enjoy my pictures from the trip that follow ...... Chris


diver.net

The Sea Divers trip to
The Pinnacles of San Miguel Island
aboard the Peace
September 7-8, 2007

click on the images to enlarge

Skyscraper
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea
(Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea
(Chestnut Cowry)
Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish)
Sebastes carnatus
(Gopher Rockfish)
Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish)
Sebastes carnatus
(Gopher Rockfish)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea
(Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea
(Chestnut Cowry)
Henricia leviuscula (blood star)
Henricia leviuscula
(blood star)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea
(Chestnut Cowry)
Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge) with some algae growing in the surface
Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge) with some algae growing in the surface
Didemnum carnulentum (Colonial Tunicate)
Didemnum carnulentum
(Colonial Tunicate)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Eudistoma molle (Compund Tunicate) and Ophiothrix spiculata (Spiny Brittle Star)
Eudistoma molle (Compund Tunicate) and Ophiothrix spiculata (Spiny Brittle Star)
Eudistylia polymorpha (Feather Duster Worm)
Eudistylia polymorpha
(Feather Duster Worm)
Eudistylia polymorpha (Feather Duster Worm) withdrawn into it's tube
Eudistylia polymorpha
(Feather Duster Worm)
withdrawn into it's tube

Boomerang Bank (no pictures)

Unnamed Pinnacle West of Wilson Rock
Stylaster californicus (California Hydrocoral)
Stylaster californicus
(California Hydrocoral)
Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Heteropora pacifica
(Northern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) growing on Calliarthron tuberculosum (Articulated coralline algae)
Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) on Calliarthron cheilosporioides (Articulated coralline algae)
Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) growing on Calliarthron tuberculosum (Articulated coralline algae)
Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) on Calliarthron cheilosporioides (Articulated coralline algae)
Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian)
Aplidium solidium
(Red Ascidian)
P9070187g1.1F2lr.jpg
Ophlitaspongia pennata (Red encrusting sponge), Corynactis californica (Club-tipped Anemone), & Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone)
Stylaster californicus (California Hydrocoral)
Stylaster californicus
(California Hydrocoral)
A juvenile Sebastes serriceps (Treefish) hiding in a hole surrounded by Corynactis californica (Club-tipped Anemone)
A juvenile Sebastes serriceps (Treefish) hiding in a hole surrounded by Corynactis californica (Club-tipped Anemone)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin) resting on Tethya aurantia (Orange Puffball Sponge)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin) resting on Tethya aurantia (Orange Puffball Sponge)
Haliclona sp. or Higginsia sp. (Tan Encrusting Sponge)
Haliclona sp. or Higginsia sp.
(Tan Encrusting Sponge)
Stylantheca porphyra or Stylantheca petrograpta (Encrusting Hydrocoral)
Stylantheca porphyra or Stylantheca petrograpta (Encrusting Hydrocoral)
Peltodoris nobilis (Noble Dorid)
Peltodoris nobilis (Noble Dorid)
on Acarnus erithacus (Red Volcano Sponge)

Oil Springs
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin), ,Pycnoclavella stanleyi (Social Tunicate), and Balanophyllia elegans (Orange Cup Coral)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin)
Artedius corallinus
(Coralline Sculpin)
A small Sea Star, possibly Henricia leviuscula
A small sea star, possibly Henricia leviuscula
Didemnum sp. (Compound Tunicate) on Tethya aurantia (Orange Puffball Sponge)
Didemnum sp. (Compound Tunicate) on Tethya aurantia (Orange Puffball Sponge)
Aglaophenia struthionides (Ostrich-plumed hydroid) intermingled with Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) growing on Calliarthron tuberculosum (Articulated coralline algae)
Aglaophenia struthionides (Ostrich-plumed hydroid) intermingled with Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) growing on Calliarthron tuberculosum (Articulated coralline algae)
Clavelina huntsmani (Light Bulb Tunicate)
Clavelina huntsmani
(Light Bulb Tunicate)
Clavelina huntsmani (Light Bulb Tunicate) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Clavelina huntsmani (Light Bulb Tunicate) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Clavelina huntsmani (Light Bulb Tunicate) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Clavelina huntsmani (Light Bulb Tunicate) on Spheciospongia confoederata (Gray Moon Sponge)
Sebastes miniatus (Vermilion rockfish)
Sebastes miniatus
(Vermilion rockfish)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin)
Artedius corallinus (Coralline Sculpin)
Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan) on Stylaster californicus (California Hydrocoral)
Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan) on Stylaster californicus (California Hydrocoral)
Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan) on Stylaster californicus (California Hydrocoral)
Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan) on Stylaster californicus (California Hydrocoral)

Lover's Cove (no pictures)

Hare Rock Night Dive
Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae
(Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae
(Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae
(Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae
(Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae
(Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae
(Dock Shrimp)
Cucumaria piperata (Sea Cucumber)
Cucumaria piperata
(Sea Cucumber)
Cucumaria piperata (Sea Cucumber)
Cucumaria piperata
(Sea Cucumber)
Pandalus danae (Dock Shrimp)
Pandalus danae
(Dock Shrimp)
A juvenile Loxorhynchus grandis (Sheep Crab) on a Pycnopodia helianthoides (Sunflower Star)
A juvenile Loxorhynchus grandis (Sheep Crab) on a Pycnopodia helianthoides (Sunflower Star)

A juvenile Loxorhynchus grandis (Sheep Crab)
A juvenile
Loxorhynchus grandis
(Sheep Crab)

A juvenile Loxorhynchus grandis (Sheep Crab)
A juvenile
Loxorhynchus grandis
(Sheep Crab)
Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone) eating a piece of Macrocystis pyrifera (Gian Kelp) covered with Membranipora serrilamella (Kelp-Encrusting Bryozoan)
Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone) eating a piece of Macrocystis pyrifera (Gian Kelp) covered with Membranipora serrilamella (Kelp-Encrusting Bryozoan)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab) on Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab) on Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab) on Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab) on Heteropora pacifica (Northern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus
(Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus
(Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus
(Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus
(Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus (Toothshell Hermit Crab)
Orthopagurus minimus
(Toothshell Hermit Crab)

Richardson Rock
P9080546xFlr.jpg
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab) decorated with Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian), a unknown compound tunicate, Plumularia sp. (Hydroid), and a red algae.
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab) decorated with Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian), a unknown compound tunicate, Plumularia sp. (Hydroid), and a red algae.
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab) decorated with Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian), a unknown compound tunicate, Plumularia sp. (Hydroid), and a red algae.
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab) decorated with Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian), a unknown compound tunicate, Plumularia sp. (Hydroid), and a red algae.
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab) decorated with Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian), a unknown compound tunicate, Plumularia sp. (Hydroid), and a red algae.
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab) decorated with Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian), a unknown compound tunicate, Plumularia sp. (Hydroid), and a red algae.
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab) decorated with Aplidium solidium (Red Ascidian), a unknown compound tunicate, Plumularia sp. (Hydroid), and a red algae.
Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone) eating Mytilus californianus (California Mussel)
Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone) eating Mytilus californianus (California Mussel)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on the half-shell of a Mytilus californianus (California Mussel)
Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry) on the half-shell of a Mytilus californianus (California Mussel)
Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish)
Sebastes carnatus
(Gopher Rockfish)
Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish)
Sebastes carnatus
(Gopher Rockfish)
Peltodoris nobilis (Noble Dorid)
Peltodoris nobilis (Sea Lemon)
on Acarnus erithacus (Red Volcano Sponge)
Pisaster giganteus (Giant Spined Star), Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone), & Corynactis californica (Club-tipped Anemone)
Pisaster giganteus (Giant Spined Star), Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone), & Corynactis californica (Club-tipped Anemone)
Peltodoris nobilis egg mass surrounded by Corynactis californica
Peltodoris nobilis egg mass
surrounded by
Corynactis californica
(Club-tipped Anemone)
An unknown thin yellow encrusting sponge
An unknown thin yellow encrusting sponge
Skylor Piper diving at Richardson Rock
Skylor Piper diving at Richardson Rock
Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone) sorrounded by an unknown thin yellow encrusting sponge
Urticina lofotensis (White-Spotted Rose Anemone) sorrounded by an unknown thin yellow encrusting sponge
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab)
Loxorhynchus crispatus
(Moss Crab)
Loxorhynchus crispatus (Moss Crab)
Loxorhynchus crispatus
(Moss Crab)
An aggregation of Pisaster giganteus (Giant Spined Star) & Pisaster ochraceus (Ochre Star)
An aggregation of Pisaster giganteus (Giant Spined Star) & Pisaster ochraceus (Ochre Star)
An aggregation of Pisaster giganteus (Giant Spined Star) & Pisaster ochraceus (Ochre Star)
An aggregation of Pisaster giganteus (Giant Spined Star) & Pisaster ochraceus (Ochre Star)
Scorpaena guttata (California Scorpionfish)
Scorpaena guttata
(California Scorpionfish)
Scorpaena guttata (California Scorpionfish)
Scorpaena guttata
(California Scorpionfish)

Wilson Rock (no pictures)

Egg Rock

Rathbunella hypoplecta (Stripefin Ronquil, a.k.a. Smooth Ronquil)
Rathbunella hypoplecta
(Stripefin Ronquil, a.k.a. Smooth Ronquil)

Cypraea spadicea (Chestnut Cowry)
Cypraea spadicea
(Chestnut Cowry)
A small Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish) sitting on Hippodiplosia insculpta (fluted bryozoan)
A small Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish) sitting on Hippodiplosia insculpta (fluted bryozoan)
A small Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish) sitting on Hippodiplosia insculpta (fluted bryozoan)
A small Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish) sitting on Hippodiplosia insculpta (fluted bryozoan)
A small Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish) sitting on Hippodiplosia insculpta (fluted bryozoan)
A small Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish) sitting on Hippodiplosia insculpta (fluted bryozoan)
Three Eudistylia polymorpha (Feather Duster Worm)
Three Eudistylia polymorpha (Feather Duster Worm)
Sebastes carnatus (Gopher Rockfish)
Sebastes carnatus
(Gopher Rockfish)
Parastichopus californicus (California Sea Cucumber)
Parastichopus californicus
(California Sea Cucumber)
P9080692x6-28Flr.jpg
Sebastes carnatus
(Gopher Rockfish)
A ball of Diaperoecia californica (Southern Staghorn Bryozoan) and Plumularia sp. (Hydroid)
A ball of Diaperoecia californica (Southern Staghorn Bryozoan) and Plumularia sp. (Hydroid)
Ophioplocus esmarki (Smooth Brittle Star)
Ophioplocus esmarki
(Smooth Brittle Star)
Ophioplocus esmarki (Smooth Brittle Star)
Ophioplocus esmarki
(Smooth Brittle Star)
Didemnidae sp. (Colonial Ascidian)
Didemnidae sp.
(Colonial Ascidian)
Calliostoma annulatum (Blue-Ring Top Snail) on Diaperoecia californica (Southern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Calliostoma annulatum (Blue-Ring Top Snail) on Diaperoecia californica (Southern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Calliostoma annulatum (Blue-Ring Top Snail) on Diaperoecia californica (Southern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Calliostoma annulatum (Blue-Ring Top Snail) on Diaperoecia californica (Southern Staghorn Bryozoan)
Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) growing on Calliarthron tuberculosum (Articulated coralline algae) and Ophiodon elongatus (Lingcod)
Garveia annulata (Orange hydroid) growing on Calliarthron tuberculosum (Articulated coralline algae) and Ophiodon elongatus (Lingcod)

Top Side
Captain Dave and Pual Ross
Captain Dave and Pual Ross
Magnus Nimby, Skylor Piper, & Peter Landecker warm themselves at the hot tub aboard the Peace
Sea Divers; Magnus Nimby, Skylor Piper, & Peter Landecker warm themselves at the hot tub aboard the Peace
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lions)
A video of Zalophus californianus
(California Sea Lions)
Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Video of Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Richardson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock with Rochardson Rock on the horizon
Wilson Rock with Rochardson Rock on the horizon
Wilson Rock with Rochardson Rock on the horizon
Wilson Rock with Rochardson Rock on the horizon
Wilson Rock with Rochardson Rock on the horizon
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
Wilson Rock
a video of the waves on Wilson Rock
The list of dive sites the Sea Divers dove on the Peace's white board.
The list of dive sites the Sea Divers dove on the Peace's white board.
A small sea star collected at Wilson Rock
A small sea star collected at Wilson Rock
Ron Nusbaum
Ron Nusbaum

Balaenoptera musculus (Blue Whale)
Balaenoptera musculus
(Blue Whale)

Balaenoptera musculus (Blue Whale)
Balaenoptera musculus
(Blue Whale)
The Conception returning to Santa Barbara
The Conception returning to Santa Barbara

Chris Grossman's Underwater Photography
©2007 Chris Grossman, diver.net





Follow Ups:


Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:
Message:
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Post Background Color: White     Black
Post Area Page Width: Normal   Full
You must type in the
scrambled text key to
the right.
This is required to
help prevent spam bots
from flooding this BBS.
capcha
Text Key:

      


diver.net