Northwest Dive Club

When I read the book Astoria, about an effort funded by John Jacob Astor to settle in the northwest, the sinking of the sailing ship Tonquin struck me. The crew sank it intentionally to prevent capture. This occurred in Clayoquot Sound in 1811. Do any of you know of any efforts to locate the wreck? ...

Just like that TV commercial where the divers free the whale shark. Good job.
Curt

Thanks to the team. You are wonderful.
_Curt

Jan: Great shot of the Northern Harrier. Even though I no longer dive, I frequently stop at Keystone to check out the birds. The Ebird website lists 169 species that have been identified there. I find it unusual that you fail to identify something. Maybe one of your fans can i.d. the anemone for the...

Bob: You still got it.
-Curt

This is not diving, but I have had dozens of sightings while out with Westport Seabirds. I seek not only birds but whales. They go out of the way when they see a Mola Mola. Their website reports their sightings. Check their trip reports to see when they are most likely.
-Curt

Jan: You know I follow your posts with enthusiasm, but, strictly speaking, these are not Whidbey Island Critters. The photographer is though.
-Curt

Jess: This could be the first installment of your own version of "My Teacher, the Octopus."
Well done, Curt

Jan: Years ago, I saw your dive log, which inspired me to keep an illustrated log. Since giving up diving, I maintain a whale journal, with photos. The harbor porpoise is one of my most frequent sightings, but I have ONE photo. They appear and disappear so quickly. I have never seen one up close, so...

Keith: The boat seems well thought out. Congratulations. I look forward to reading about your exploits. Are you naming the boat?
-Curt

Alas, poor Yorick! Too bad about the degradation of the site at the old pier. Perhaps it will recover. It still provides a perch for cormorants and other seabirds. Even though I no longer dive, I stop there to check out the birds and other wildlife. Hope to meet you there sometime.
-Curt

While watching a mother humpback whale and her calf near San Juan Island, it occurred to me that I have never seen a gray whale with a calf. Grays form the overwhelming majority of my whale observations since they swim in front of my house, yet I've never seen one with its young. With humpbacks howe...

Jan: I really enjoy seeing your adding bird shots to your reports. My wife and I make frequent trips to Crockett Lake to see the white pelicans (also Deer Lagoon and March Point). Wonderful photos.
-Curt

I thought all my trips to Hawaii were wonderful, but your pictures make mine look pale. Jess, my first dives in Hawaii (1965) were in swim trunks - no wetsuit. Still a vivid memory. Eric, I have never seen hammerheads (the fish, I mean, I have a lot of experience with the tool), but you are right, a...

Jan: This citation refers to the polyp as a stage in reproduction. When I first encountered this (well over 40 years ago) they referred to the polyp as the next generation. The species alternated form from generation to generation. I thought it weird, that one would look like their grandparents, not...

It looks like someone is practicing "filet and release".
-Curt

To the other woman in my life (We might even meet someday): My congratulations are not about the number, but the quality of her dives. I have enjoyed her posts immensely. Also, the positive attitude expressed.
-Curt

Being Covid cautious, most of our whale watching this year has been from home. This means we see the same gray whales that have been bottom feeding for years, the venerable "Sounders". Their feeding strategy seems to have served them well. The experts, observing them with drones, noticed t...

Jan: Your posts remind me of my cruising years. Many times I approached Deception Pass in the morning, just to encounter a wall of fog. I would turn back to Coronet Bay and wait for it to dissipate. It's a beautiful spot above water as well.
-Curt

Sixty, Upon reading the wikipedia link, it may be the gun that started WWI.
-Curt

Congratulations on a new sighting.
Curt

Jess, You are an artist.
-Curt

Thanks for the report, even if a bit disappointing. Nice cave! ...conditions were super calm, maybe 3" waves... Mm, well you and I have a different definition of super calm. Of course, that's probably about as calm as it gets there... Sixty: I think 3 inch waves are calm. I bet you do too. I m...

Jan: I would occasionally find clingfish while tide pooling, but I don't recall seeing one while diving.. Good spot.
-Curt

Simply astounding. So many signature animals that most of us will never see, all presented so well. As an old man, sitting at home hiding from the Covids, this was a dream trip. One observation you may have missed. The dolphins, even though they have a whole ocean to spread out in, are swimming in c...