Search found 31 matches

by coldfinger
Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Dive Planning
Topic: San Juan/Orcas Diving
Replies: 6
Views: 1045

Re: San Juan/Orcas Diving

Nwbrewer wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:05 am Am I the only one who came here thinking that the OP was planning to try and dive with Orcas off San Juan Island?
Nope - that's what caught my eye, too!
by coldfinger
Thu Nov 30, 2023 12:12 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Atomic fins, mask, and snorkel at Skyline
Replies: 1
Views: 631

Atomic fins, mask, and snorkel at Skyline

We went diving at Skyline yesterday and there was a pair of Atomic fins, a mask, and a snorkel(!) that someone clearly forgot there. If, and only if, they are yours, they were out there yesterday and hopefully still are, if not already retrieved.Image
by coldfinger
Sun Sep 10, 2023 2:43 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: High Water Temperatures
Replies: 3
Views: 428

Re: High Water Temperatures

Yup. My DC read 57-59F on a night dive at Three Tree on 8/22. I think my buddies only saw up to 57 on theirs, so there could be a degree or two of instrument variance, but still hot. Welcome to the new normal - "Where your fish come out of the water already cooked!"
by coldfinger
Tue Jul 04, 2023 10:24 pm
Forum: Critter Watchers - PNW Marine Life
Topic: Jellyfish Bloom
Replies: 3
Views: 883

Re: Jellyfish Bloom

If bioluminescence is active, go there at night for something truly magical. I ran into a huge school of small moon jellies once years ago at Three Tree on a night dive when it was active. Their margins and tentacles just lit up every time I waved my hands as they clearly had been eating the dinofla...
by coldfinger
Thu Jun 29, 2023 11:44 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: ISO Beginner Dive Gear (Seattle)
Replies: 3
Views: 933

Re: ISO Beginner Dive Gear (Seattle)

I agree with checking CL - that's how I got my drysuit and insulation when I started. On FB, I'd stay local - e.g., Rain City Scuba and PNW SCUBA buy sell trade. I've seen too many reports of people being scammed for high value stuff when being shipped to feel very comfortable buying from far away, ...
by coldfinger
Sun Apr 16, 2023 11:25 am
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: NWDC offices closed today -
Replies: 6
Views: 1092

Re: NWDC offices closed today -

I really think you should accept Boatcoin as well. Just remember not to jump in on that one if it's going down instead of up.
by coldfinger
Wed Apr 05, 2023 5:18 pm
Forum: Critter Watchers - PNW Marine Life
Topic: Whidbey Island Critters
Replies: 5393
Views: 924519

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Jan - do you have an answer to your question for why the sea stars are twisted like that? I have noticed pairs doing that several times over the past few weeks and been puzzled, since they don't mate like that. I don't remember seeing it much in previous years.
Thanks!
by coldfinger
Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:00 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Dry suit undergarments
Replies: 25
Views: 4991

Re: Dry suit undergarments

If she wants to dive here (or do snow sports, the other time I use it), seriously, have her get a prescription from her doctor - and use dry gloves with good liners. It's the only way I was able to keep diving here. Trust me, I'm a doctor :-) (Really - though I never use that phrase IRL.) In case he...
by coldfinger
Sat Jan 07, 2023 5:00 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Dry suit undergarments
Replies: 25
Views: 4991

Re: Dry suit undergarments

I'm a wimp with Raynaud's (fingers and toes go dead white/cold/numb if they get cold) and I could not dive here without taking a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (they are mostly used as blood pressure meds - e.g., amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine) before diving, plus dry gloves. I really l...
by coldfinger
Fri Apr 29, 2022 9:32 pm
Forum: Underwater Imaging - Photography & Video
Topic: jelly fish Movie
Replies: 13
Views: 3185

Re: jelly fish Movie

Really nice movie, thanks! It reminded me of maybe 5 years ago, early in my diving career, when a buddy and I did a night dive at Three Tree. We had heard bioluminescence was active so agreed to turn off our lights periodically and check. Coming back, we got some flashes. Then, near shore, we ran in...
by coldfinger
Thu Feb 24, 2022 6:22 pm
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: Apollo large neoprene drysuit - free! - GONE
Replies: 2
Views: 1117

Re: Apollo large neoprene drysuit - free!

Suit now given away. I hope it is good for many happy dives!
by coldfinger
Sat Feb 19, 2022 11:00 pm
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: Apollo large neoprene drysuit - free! - GONE
Replies: 2
Views: 1117

Apollo large neoprene drysuit - free! - GONE

[NOTE - edited from original post last night as I went and looked at it and realized I had misremembered some things.] I was gifted an Apollo Bio-Pro neoprene drysuit a while back that I had hoped to use if my brother got certified and came to visit. Alas, that is never to be, so I'd like to gift it...
by coldfinger
Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:56 pm
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: Match for a M/L Hollis F2 fin?
Replies: 0
Views: 913

Match for a M/L Hollis F2 fin?

I have a pair of M/L Hollis F2s that I have used for travel in the last several years. Alas, one of them developed a crack through the middle strut/pillar, so it is floppier than the other. Glue did not hold and Hollis was of no use (out of warranty and they don't sell singles). So does anyone have ...
by coldfinger
Mon Nov 01, 2021 10:47 am
Forum: Critter Watchers - PNW Marine Life
Topic: Tank shrimp from Three Tree?
Replies: 4
Views: 1646

Re: Tank shrimp from Three Tree?

Thanks! I thought about that (I've never seen either one before) and, now that you make me look more, I think deep blade is probably right. There is a toothed ridge that I think is on the top (and not far side, as I had been thinking) of the carapace. Size (~1") is right, substrate is right for...
by coldfinger
Sun Oct 31, 2021 9:49 pm
Forum: Critter Watchers - PNW Marine Life
Topic: Tank shrimp from Three Tree?
Replies: 4
Views: 1646

Tank shrimp from Three Tree?

Can someone who knows confirm if this is a tank shrimp? Looking through Lamb and Hanby, it seems to match that much better than anything else. They state it is rare in Puget Sound and I've certainly never noticed one before. This was down in a crevice and its movement caught my eye. DSC01017_DxO.jpg...
by coldfinger
Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:37 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: The Mola Mola Mission
Replies: 5
Views: 1844

Re: The Mola Mola Mission

We saw several (from above the water) on a whale-watching boat in Monterey Bay a couple of years ago. Don't know how common they are there, but there were a few. But if you want to see them from underwater, probably not helpful - not close to shore. But quicker/cheaper to get to than the Galapagos.
by coldfinger
Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:57 pm
Forum: Underwater Imaging - Photography & Video
Topic: August at Skyline
Replies: 7
Views: 2952

Re: August at Skyline

Very nice, sharp, colorful, and well-composed. I'd be interested in what you conclude about video light(s) vs. strobe. I switched to video lights so I can shoot in burst mode (with a Sony A6000), which seems to get me at least 1 shot in a burst in focus. But I keep thinking I should try a strobe aga...
by coldfinger
Mon Mar 15, 2021 2:26 pm
Forum: Critter Watchers - PNW Marine Life
Topic: Whidbey Island Critters
Replies: 5393
Views: 924519

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Many thanks, Jan. I learn so much from your posts and love your photos and cartoons. It will really be said if the bull kelp does not come back to Keystone. I thought folks might be interested/saddened in this recent Smithsonian article on this massive die-off of California kelp forests, attributabl...
by coldfinger
Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:19 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Warmest Dry Glove Liners?
Replies: 7
Views: 3493

Re: Warmest Dry Glove Liners?

If, like me, you have Raynaud's (fingers turn white/numb/useless when they get cold), take a dose of a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine; they are blood pressure meds. and require a prescription) maybe 4-6 hrs. before diving. I could not dive here without th...
by coldfinger
Fri Feb 26, 2021 11:20 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Warmest Dry Glove Liners?
Replies: 7
Views: 3493

Re: Warmest Dry Glove Liners?

I just got a pair of these wool/fleece liners and they were warmer than my previous double-liner solution (the big yellow things that came with the dry gloves and smaller, polypro liner gloves). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L6WQ9V4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=11 Is dex...
by coldfinger
Mon Sep 14, 2020 2:08 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Whales: Orcas and more
Replies: 9
Views: 3116

Re: Whales: Orcas and more

Yeah, hard to imagine anyone being entertained just by watching amazing creatures swimming in the water. :clap:

Thank you again for sharing!
by coldfinger
Mon Sep 07, 2020 2:49 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Whales: Orcas and more
Replies: 9
Views: 3116

Re: Whales: Orcas and more

Very cool, thanks! Any recommendations for locations having a decent probability of seeing orcas from shore? We've lived here 22+ years and I've seen 1 doral fin (male) once, from the Tsawassen ferry. Skunked at Lime Kiln Park. If COVID ends and we're still here, we should definitely go out with Wes...
by coldfinger
Tue Aug 25, 2020 6:58 pm
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: Free Dry Suit
Replies: 3
Views: 1293

Re: Free Dry Suit

Any clue how it might fit someone 5'10", maybe 145 lbs, size 10-10.5 shoes? My older son is moving back home and, while I know the large Apollo is listed for heavier folks, the height and maybe boots seems like they could and it would let him decide if he likes cold water diving.
by coldfinger
Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:24 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Jellyfish Stings and Weirdness
Replies: 11
Views: 4011

Re: Jellyfish Stings and Weirdness

I wouldn't be freaked about about future anaphylaxis. It is totally unpredictable and this doesn't sound to me like an allergic reaction. It sounds more to me like possible systemic venom (neurotoxin) absorption, for which I know of no good treatment other than minimizing exposure/absorption. If itc...