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 »

Few sights from my cruise in British Columbia/ And no, I did not pay 461,500 dollars per week plus expenses.
But I did snorkel close to it, looking under the floating docks for critters ... :) :) :)
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oldsalt
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by oldsalt »

Jan K wrote:Few sights from my cruise in British Columbia/ And no, I did not pay 461,500 dollars per week plus expenses.
But I did snorkel close to it, looking under the floating docks for critters ... :) :) :)
Jan, In cruising BC waters in my own boats for nearly half a century, I realized I would never trade places with the megayacht crowd. They will never know the pleasures of anchoring in the little coves such as Port Neville, where I saw grizzlies, orca, and could hear the wolves howl in the mountains. Since they cruise with a crew, they will not know the satisfaction of navigating, finding your own anchorage, and setting the anchor for the night. I'd prefer to do it your way.
-Curt
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Curt, I could not agree more. Cruising the islands has nothing to do with the luxurious accommodations ...

Another wetsuit dive in Discovery Passage:
Argonaut Wharf, Campbell River, Vancouver Island. Canada. It was nice to see healthy Sunflower stars and no wasting observed in any of the other stars. Also I added new critter to my list, Spotted flatworm.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Sailfin sculpin on kelp at April Point marina, Quadra Island.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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More underwater sights from April Point marina on Quadra Island where we docked for few days.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Even in the waters fa away from home, I could not resist to check on the health of sea stars in the Quadra Island area.
To my delight, I did not find any signs of the Sea Star Wasting Disease.
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Vjw
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Vjw »

Such beautiful pictures!! And great news!!
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Thank you Vjw.

Clinging jellyfish. Happy to add it to my list of new critters encountered on my dives.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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After one month absence, I returned to Langley Harbor and found wasting sea stars underway in vast numbers, mainly the Mottled (Evasterias troschelii) and Ochre ( Pisaster ochraceus). Also none of the juvenile Pycnopodias were nowhere to be seen. The visibility in the shallows was only few feet, so the survey above the 20 foot thermocline was limited for swim through on entry and exit swim. The wasting seems to affect adult and juveniles, so at least here at Langley, immunity developed by the new generation of stars is not evident. The whole experience is very depressing as pieces of starfish are all over the place. :( :( :(
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Gdog »

That is so disheartening. So sad. Thank you for the report, Jan.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Slugs I found in April Point marina, Quadra Island.
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H20doctor
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by H20doctor »

I love the sea angel. !!
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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Wrapping up the underwater scenery I enjoyed during my brief visit to British Columbia.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

I am starting to process pictures from recent dives, here are few more from the Labor Day weekend.
I don't find Ghost anemones anywhere else on Whidbey Island, there are plenty of Scalyhead and Buffalo sculpins, finding them resting on nudibranchs - not so often.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Who doesn't like candy? And this one isn't bad for your teeth :)
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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Adding another new critter to my list. Doto amyra, a very, very tiny nudibranch ...
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Testing the # 2 rule:
Unexpected encounter at Skyline. :)
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by ScubaJess »

WOW cool! So glad you weren't Octo food!!! :) nice work getting the picture... I love your drawing on this one!
Happy Friday!!
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 Jess, I think the octo decided that I am too old to taste any good :)

Can a crab regrow a claw?
YES, it can.
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Gdog »

Wow great stuff Jan! And I love the octo story!
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Thank you Gdog.

And since we are on the subject of regrowing parts of bodies, the sea stars are the masters...
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by oldsalt »

I wish regeneration worked for people. My right hand has stayed the same for nearly 50 years.
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Curt ;)
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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oldsalt wrote:I wish regeneration worked for people. My right hand has stayed the same for nearly 50 years.
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Curt ;)
Maybe you need to spend more time underwater ! :) :) :)

Skyline fishies.
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

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While walking the Double Bluff beach on low tide, I return to the "First 9 inches Underwater" activity, searching the tide pools for critters ...
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Jan K
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Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Some pics from Keystone Jetty dive. Still not 100% sure if I saw red Longfin gunnel or Red gunnel. :) Also the Japanese wireweed is now kind of messy seafloor covering instead of standing forest.
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