Whidbey Island Critters
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Langley Harbor, August 20th.
Sea star wasting is rearing its ugly head again, Ay least here. Dozens and dozens of Mottled stars, (Evasterias troschelii), litter the area along the seawall. The deeper water is still more unaffected, maybe because of somewhat cooler water temperature.
Sea star wasting is rearing its ugly head again, Ay least here. Dozens and dozens of Mottled stars, (Evasterias troschelii), litter the area along the seawall. The deeper water is still more unaffected, maybe because of somewhat cooler water temperature.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Keystone Jetty, August 22nd.
Pre-dive encounter. It was not a pretty sight. Dead juvenile Harbor porpoise on the water's edge. When I saw its head almost completely cut off and its side cut ope, exposing the inside of that poor mammal, my first thought was, who would do this ? Well after I reported the find to Orca network, the reality, still sad, explained what happened even the true reason of dead is not yet known. It is the necropsy is what made the scene rather gruesome...
Pre-dive encounter. It was not a pretty sight. Dead juvenile Harbor porpoise on the water's edge. When I saw its head almost completely cut off and its side cut ope, exposing the inside of that poor mammal, my first thought was, who would do this ? Well after I reported the find to Orca network, the reality, still sad, explained what happened even the true reason of dead is not yet known. It is the necropsy is what made the scene rather gruesome...
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
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 your encounter, while grisly, is fascinating. They are our smallest cetacean. good post.
-Curt
-Curt
Happy to be alive.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Yes, it was an unexpected find and after the initial shock, I did took time to look closer at the body and exposed anatomy...oldsalt wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 9:05 am 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 your encounter, while grisly, is fascinating. They are our smallest cetacean. good post.
-Curt
Keystone Jetty, August 22nd.
Swimming again along the large school of juvenile rockfish does lift the spirit on this gloomy, overcast morning. The Bull kelp forest did not materialize this season. Even on this very low tide, access to the deeper water is not difficult. But I don't think this is a good sign for the future... Who knows ?
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Keystone Jetty August 22nd. The rest of pictures from that dive.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Skyline August 26th.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Jan: You know I follow your posts with enthusiasm, but, strictly speaking, these are not Whidbey Island Critters. The photographer is though.
-Curt
-Curt
Happy to be alive.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
In my age, confusion is part of life
Keystone Jetty August 27th.
What a beautiful afternoon, calm waters and good visibility underwater, enhanced by the sunshine. Today, after a long break, I was joined by Maya.
We saw Wolf eel swimming out in the open at the jetty, I never seen one in the vicinity of the jetty in shallow water (on safety stop).
Good company to chat with before and after the dive.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Skylline August 26th.
Wolf eel and Red Irish Lord neighbors. The Lord looks angry.
Wolf eel and Red Irish Lord neighbors. The Lord looks angry.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Deception Pass, August 29th.
Foggy start of the dive, visibility underwater was decent 15 plus feet and as always, under the waves, there is plenty stuff to enjoy.
Foggy start of the dive, visibility underwater was decent 15 plus feet and as always, under the waves, there is plenty stuff to enjoy.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
And more from Deception Pass.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Keystone Jetty August 30th.
I did not see the Lingcod catch the fish it has inside its cavernous mouth, maybe it is one of the Kelp greenlings which dart around the rocks of the jetty.
https://jankocian.smugmug.com/Underwate ... KxH3u_nxcA
I did not see the Lingcod catch the fish it has inside its cavernous mouth, maybe it is one of the Kelp greenlings which dart around the rocks of the jetty.
https://jankocian.smugmug.com/Underwate ... KxH3u_nxcA
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Keystone Jetty August 30th, the rest of the dive snapshots..
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Langley Harbor, September 1st.
Sea star wasting survey finds lots of wasting, mainly Mottled stars, some small Sunflower stars, not wasting, but some curling, which might be sign of stress since it doesn't look too natural. But I did see it in the past, before the SSWD.
Sea star wasting survey finds lots of wasting, mainly Mottled stars, some small Sunflower stars, not wasting, but some curling, which might be sign of stress since it doesn't look too natural. But I did see it in the past, before the SSWD.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Langley Harbor, September 1st.
Spotted ratfish encounter.
Spotted ratfish encounter.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Keystone Jetty September 3rd.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Keystone Jetty, September 4th.
Lesson 1 for Scalyhead sculpins:
The shrimp is easier meal to swallow than is the Buffalo sculpin.
Lesson 1 for Scalyhead sculpins:
The shrimp is easier meal to swallow than is the Buffalo sculpin.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
More of Keystone encounters
Lingcod buddies, Lingcod cleaning roll and Great sculpin being eaten...
Lingcod buddies, Lingcod cleaning roll and Great sculpin being eaten...
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Possession Point Fingers, September 7th.
Warmer water doesn't seem to be good for the sea stars.
Warmer water doesn't seem to be good for the sea stars.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Possession Point Fingers September 7th dive, the rest of pixels...
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Skyline, September 10th.
What would be a dive here without Candy stripe shrimp?
What would be a dive here without Candy stripe shrimp?
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Some of the Skyline fish encounters. September 10th.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Skyline August and beginning of September.
I am falling behind processing photos from recent dives. My excuse? Diving. And more diving... And also old age
I am falling behind processing photos from recent dives. My excuse? Diving. And more diving... And also old age
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Keystone Jetty, Sunday September 12th. Plenty of divers showed up.
Introducing jetty marine life to Maya's friend, testing drysuits, and so not many pictures were taken this time ...
We did find four GPO hiding in the rocks, and drysuits did keep everybody dry. And I had the pleasure to meet again Brandon Cole, whose underwater photographs can be found in every issue of Alert Diver. (I hope all of the divers do have DAN insurance ! )...
Introducing jetty marine life to Maya's friend, testing drysuits, and so not many pictures were taken this time ...
We did find four GPO hiding in the rocks, and drysuits did keep everybody dry. And I had the pleasure to meet again Brandon Cole, whose underwater photographs can be found in every issue of Alert Diver. (I hope all of the divers do have DAN insurance ! )...
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Skyline, September 10th. Scaled crab.
First the juvenile and then an adult, unfortunately, without its spoon-like fingers.
First the juvenile and then an adult, unfortunately, without its spoon-like fingers.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown