Whidbey Island Critters

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Curt, how right you are. Although " A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", it is frustrating at times.

Spaghetti and worm in the same description. I am glad it is underwater and not on my plate. And the same goes for the shrimp ... :)
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Scallop, tunicate and trumpet worm - more color from Lagoon Point.
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

May 1st. Little bit of good news from Langley Harbor. I came across 29 juvenile Sunflower stars, all of them look healthy ! Still only 6 to 8 inches across, but hopefully they will survive to become the large predators thy once ruled at Langley tire reef area. The wasting disease is still present, although not affecting other sea stars in any significant numbers. Fingers crossed ...
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Slugs,shrimp and one fish from Lagoon Point.
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

It was nice to see schools of rockfish reappear after being absent in Langley Harbor for the last few months...
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Coupeville Wharf and Penn Cove, bad visibility here is the norm. But the sea stars sure like it here...
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

It was an early morning start on Sunday when a group of divers assembled at the Little North Beach parking lot, Deception Pass State Park. Gray overcast above, colors down below.
Jess is smiling even as her drysuit was flooding due to a leaky valve. Us divers are like this, just a little crazy, but happy, (most of the time). :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

A new words to learn today - Epitoky, epitoke and atoke , all part of this wiggly Nereid worm . :)
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
fmerkel
I've Got Gills
Posts: 1037
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:45 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by fmerkel »

These are the fast swimming 'centipedes' you sometimes see in your lights on a night dive, and sometimes a lot.
To Air is Human,
To Respire, Divine.
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Second day Deception Pass tidal cycle attracted only two divers.
So we had the beauty of underwater garden to ourselves. The visibility is down to the fact, that many of the marine critters decided to spawn.
Red sea cucumbers doing their thing .... :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

May 8. The third day of Deception Pass dives proved to be the most exciting. Not only the slack currents lasted over one hour, but the underwater world in the Pass exploded into a truly spawning extravaganza. The Painted anemone is a very common in most dive sites around Whidbey Island. I see few on almost every dive, but in thousands of dives, I have never witnessed them spawning. While I saw few spawning on the yesterday's dive, this time there were hundreds releasing gametes into the water which turned the visibility into a almost fog-like scene. Some call photographing this spawning porn or X-rated activity, but to me it is chance to witness how nature makes all this underwater beauty possible. Enjoy this for what it is - future fields of colorful anemones. :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Without mothers, there would not be life as we know it ...
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

More info on marine life spawning event in Deception Pass waters.
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Wrapping up the spawning extravaganza at Deception Pass - sea star spawning was a very welcome sight indeed.
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Skyline Wall underwater scene May 11th.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Langley Harbor dive shows off its Sunflower star juveniles, I counted 31 healthy individuals. Interestingly, they all prefer one area on the south side of the tire reef. And one of the mooring H-beam anchors is very popular with Ochre, Mottled and now, also the juvenile Sunflower stars. When the anchors were installed back in 2013, then the dominant specie - Sunflower stars (Pycnopodia) occupied it in impressive numbers.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Keeping an eye on underwater Penn Cove - the starfish look happy, (only a couple are sick), well fed on mussels.
Crabs like mussels too, but unlike the stars, the crabs fight a lot :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Driftwood Park juvenile Wolf-eels, some like live in old tires and some in discarded bottles and glass jars.
Never have I seen an adult here or the nearby Keystone Jetty.
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Another day, another dive. Deception Pass in fog. Series of panels I call ZOOMING IN from the dive. Enjoy :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Sunflower stars at Driftwood Park ! What a pleasant surprise! I don't know where they came from, but finding eleven adult healthy Pycnopodia is a very wonderful sight ... And seeing an octopus, even if only a small portion of the animal, was nice treat too ...
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Desert Diver
Extreme Diving Machine
Posts: 472
Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 9:20 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Desert Diver »

Jan K wrote:Driftwood Park juvenile Wolf-eels, some like live in old tires and some in discarded bottles and glass jars.
Never have I seen an adult here or the nearby Keystone Jetty.
Image
Image
Image
Many years ago, late '80s, early 90's there were a couple adults on the jetty.
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Jan K wrote:Driftwood Park juvenile Wolf-eels, some like live in old tires and some in discarded bottles and glass jars.
Never have I seen an adult here or the nearby Keystone Jetty
Unfortunately, that was before I moved to Whidbey.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

It is amazing how can a clam dig through a solid rock. This piddock clam does it to the Keystone's jetty boulders...
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Graceful decorator crab wearing rather plain outfit, probably to match the drab surroundings of the Keystone Jetty shallows.
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5248
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Wrinkled dogwinkle snail eggs cover many objects on the artificial reef at Driftwood Park.
Other critters make home in and on the man-made structures ...
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
Post Reply