Whidbey Island Critters

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Driftwood Park - some dead fish and some live fish. Such is life under the waves of Salish Sea.
And elsewhere...
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Deception Pass - The Colors of June
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Vjw
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Vjw »

The colors of June are beautiful!!
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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More June colors from the place where every rock seems to compete with its neighbor who can provide better home for the kaleidoscope of invertebrates making Deception Pass so beautiful.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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June 7, 2018. Another day, another dive with friends at the Deception Pass.
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ScubaJess
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by ScubaJess »

Soooo fantastic diving with you guys! Jan I love all the pics you got, so much color and life, just wonderful!!! :)
I can't wait to go back!!!
Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by H20doctor »

Thanks for the Great Dive together , and exploring the wonders Of deception Pass !!!!
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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And more from Deception Pass. It is such a beautiful place...
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Friday June 8. Fourth dive at Deception Pass this week. The wind blowing from the SE, so the waters were calm, protected by the cliffs of Whidbey Island. The rain was predicted to arrive after my planned exit, and it did. This time, no other diver on the scene...
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Langley Harbor, June 11, 2018 sea star survey.
The good news - I came across 56 healthy juvenile Sunflower stars. And lots of baby stars along the seawall.
The bad news - The Sea Star Wasting Disease is starting to hit the Ochre stars. :(
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Moon snail egg-collars. They are a very common sight on the beach and underwater. But did you know how they are made and that they are created by the snail UNDER the sand? I saw the event of the emerging collar only couple times. The snails are a common sight in and above the water , but on Wednesday, I found a pair of Lewis's Moon Snails mating. First time sighting for me...
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Beautiful weather above did not translate to a beautiful sights underwater. After lugging dive gear down and up the forest road, I had very unrewarding dive. Even descending to 105 feet did not open up the visibility beyond few feet. :(
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Deception Pass, June 20. Last day of Spring. The tide cycle was not the best, the slack period very short, but comparing with all the other dive spots around Whidbey Island, it was much more rewarding. Colors galore.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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More from the colorful gardens of Deception Pass on the last day of Spring.
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Graceful decorator's dressing room
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Keystone Jetty, June 21. First day of summer. All crabs, and on our dives, we come across many of them, have to molt out of their hard exoskeletons as they grow, since they don't fit anymore. But since the process of slipping out of the old suit takes only about fifteen minutes or so, and the "changing room" maybe some discreet place, not often I witness the procedure. I was lucky on Thursday. Male Red rock crab was holding his female sweetheart as she changed her attire, trying to hide her from my curious stare... :)
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

I drew this cartoon into my log fifty years ago. And here I am, realizing, that the Iron Curtain still exists. Except it doesn’t divide anymore the world between East and West, between the communism and capitalism, but that invisible curtain is rising again all over the world, inside countries, in the cities, in the streets and even between friends and families. There is not a patrol boat to evade, like it was the case that night, so many years ago. This new kind of a border seems to be much more difficult to cross. Unlike then, there is no shore to swim to, one to walk out and say, I am free, at last. I am worried, very worried...
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Langley Harbor, June 22. Collecting some of the wasting sea stars for University of British Columbia. The bad news is that I am finding sick and dying Ochre stars, the good news is that I am finding more and more Sunflower stars. And so far, they are healthy!
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Chitons. Little jewels on the rocks of Keystone Jetty.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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These guys are hard to find. They are not rare, but they look almost exactly like their food :)
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Few more from Keystone Jetty.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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White bubble shell slugs showing up in our waters around Whidbey.
Some are sporting red "tails" - it is some kind of algae.
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Gdog »

Amazing work Jan, Thank you for sharing
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by ScubaJess »

I want to see those sparkly guys!! Looks really fascinating!!!
Nice work Jan!!!!!! :)
Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Thank you Gdog, ScubaJess

Coupeville Wharf dive. Visibility only couple feet on the bottom where most of the sea stars live, so this survey is inconclusive as far as the sea star wasting goes.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Happy Fourth to all ! :salute:
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