The 'Dond is paying off again ...

[Grateful Diver]

Did a lovely 76-minute solo dive at the 'Dond this morning. Vis at high tide was at least 30 feet ... maybe a bit better than that. I put in at the south beach, did a slow tour through the bottles, came up the fat rope, around by the boats and pipe, and a long safety stop at the aquarium.

Among the highlights of the dive were 11 lumpsuckers ... they're everywhere. I found five just down in the bottle field, and a few more on my way up to the shallows. They're tiny ... TINY ... right now ... and mostly nestled into the kelp. There were also the usual suspects along the way ... several red octos, stilleto shrimp, and two GPO's underneath boats.

Some pics ... the lumpie shots aren't what I'd hoped for, but they're so small they're pushing the limits of what I can do with a point-n-shoot. Lundy needs to get out there with that fabulous supermacro ability he's been showing lately and get some nicer pics of these little guys ... they're almost too small to even notice if you're not looking for them ...







And a couple of "parting shots" ...





... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Joshua Smith]

Bob, I can hardly believe you took those with a point-n-shoot- they look great!

On another note- I would actually like to see one of these lil guys some time....which is weird for me to realize, being such a hard-core wreck diver and all....but, yes, I would love to say that I had seen a Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker. That would be cool. Maybe you could show one to me sometime. I bet I've swam past a lot of them........

[Grateful Diver]

Bob, I can hardly believe you took those with a point-n-shoot- they look great!

On another note- I would actually like to see one of these lil guys some time....which is weird for me to realize, being such a hard-core wreck diver and all....but, yes, I would love to say that I had seen a Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker. That would be cool. Maybe you could show one to me sometime. I bet I've swam past a lot of them........

Dude, it's been too long since we've been diving. Redondo was almost lifeless for months after that Thanksgiving storm. It's coming back to life now. Let's go diving!

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[ktb]

P-Pants found two PSLs on our dive Saturday and I couldn't believe how small they were!! Teeny tiny little guys right now . . . but cute as ever.

[LCF]

Bob, you have no right to apologize for pictures like that! MY pictures are the ones one apologizes for . . .

I'd love to join you and Josh for a lumpie dive, once we're back from SoCal!

[lavachickie]

So when will these little cuties be all grown up? I have YET to see one. And the kicker? I WAS AT REDONDO TODAY, but just toured around to say hi to folks and then went to Cove 2. Got in two great dives, but I'm really wanting to add the little lumpsucker to my "seen it" list and so far... no luck!!

[Dashrynn]

One word, WOW.

[Blaiz]

love that sculpin especially!

[oldsalt]

Bob: You are a reason I don't post pictures. You set too high a standard. Lumpsuckers are cool.
- Curt

[diverden]

Thanks Bob. Great effort. You've inspired me to get my point and shoot out in the cold water again.

[lavachickie]

I'll have a cam w/ a gerry-rigged light (not exactly a strobe) by the... maybe I will get to SEE and PHOTOGRAPH a lumpy at the July 9th club dive! I want to dive with anyone who is identified as a lumpy-whisperer to improve my chances of seeing one.

[jaytrigg27]

Insane pics, Thanks for sharing!

[mattwave]

That pic of the octo is awesome, nice work!

[Gdog]

If you dont mind my asking, what kind of point/shoot camera are you using?

[Grateful Diver]

Canon G10 ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[lavachickie]

Can I buddy up with you at the club dive on July 9th and perhaps increase my chances of actually seeing one of these things!? It's on my todo list!!

[Grateful Diver]

Definitely!

I usually get there before everybody else and go do a solo dive ... then spend the day being "tour guide" for other folks.

So now you're on my buddy list ...

... Bob