Page 186 of 216
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2021 8:49 am
by Jan K
Keystone Jetty end of January.
The sea star wasting continues, although in slower pace. In the space of two day, I saw one Mottled star disintegrate on one of the jetty rocks.
On the bright side. I found one tiny starfish juvenile, which I had hard time to identify. Erroneously, I thought it was a baby Ochre star, but with help of experts, it turns out to be little Rainbow star. I have never seen an adult here at Keystone. It would be nice if it survives here and enriches our decimated star population here. Keep an eye on her !
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 12:34 pm
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:45 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:57 pm
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:28 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:19 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:19 am
by Jan K
Holmes Harbor, February 8.
Why is it that I find visibility at the sailboat wreck always bad ?
Not so bad visibility in deeper water, but nothing to get excited about there. Only one fish ! Not even the Shiners.
Not much to show for the one hour long dive and very long swim out.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 1:41 pm
by Jan K
Keystone Jetty, February 9th.
Before the winter came for visit.
Lewis' moonsnail cruising the shallows ...
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:30 pm
by Jan K
Keystone February 9th.
The Stalked kelp is beginning to grow their blades again.
Spring is coming! (Maybe).
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2021 3:50 pm
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2021 4:30 pm
by ScubaJess
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 8:40 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2021 6:40 am
by Jan K
Keystone February 17th. 2021.
Another dive at the jetty. And with better visibility, I scout the area looking for Lingcod egg nests. And I can't find any. Which is worrisome. WHERE ARE the FEMALES? Looking at my pictures from the past, January and February already had many egg masses along the jetty rocks. This year, I can't even find the two I did see back in January 28th. Obviously, they did not survive till maturity. This dive I found plenty of males which are smaller than the males. None of them displayed aggression towards divers and fish which they do when guarding eggs. I attached couple panels from the past years (January 2015 and 2017) - the big gravid females were hard to miss. :(
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:11 pm
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 6:27 am
by Jan K
And the Keystone Jetty February saga continues.
Scalyhead sculpin male surrounded by three gravid females, Wrinkled dogwinkle snails wrapping up their annual reproduction party, leaving behind some of the rocks covered with their yellow eggs.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:40 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2021 7:59 am
by Jan K
Deception Pass, February 22. The winter storms
caused lot of damage here, over 100 trees fell in the state park area, the North Beach parking was not spared neither. The rangers did a great job clearing the access, there is still lot of work left to be done. The restrooms had a close call too, the dumpster enclosure was not so lucky. The currents were very favorable this moon cycle, the weather harder to predict. Westerly winds were predicted for Monday, with gale force winds possible later in the day. This time, the Ventusky website with their 9 mph was closer to the reality than the Windy.com with its 11 knots (12.6 mph). Regardless, there was no problem and I got into calm waters. Underwater was yet another pleasant surprise. I did not experience hardly any current during the entire 65 minute dive ! Visibility was not too good, the heavy overcast and rain did not help. but 10 to 15 feet isn't that bad, even if the scene was rather gloomy.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 9:10 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:00 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 8:18 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:55 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:17 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:23 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:25 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:01 am
by Jan K