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After Action Reports
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Electric Ray & Sea Nettles
May 16, 2010
Story by Sharon E
On May 16, we met at the dock ready for some great diving. Previous reports spoke of 70’ viz and clear water in Carmel, so we loaded and headed south. Motoring out, passed Pt Pinos, the surface was flat. And the wind was down. A short 30 minutes later found us anchored on Butterfly House. This great dive site gets it’s name from the home on the shore with a roof reassembling a butterfly in flight. Stepping off the starboard side went Les in twin 80’s; next off the stern, jumped Chris in 80s and a sling. Then closely behind them were Sharon, Shawn, Raji, Jeff and Vanessa. They got on the line, a bit of time to clear and soon on the site. Soon Chris and Les met the others along the canyon. Butterfly offers a depth of 90’ with walls coming up within 50’ from the surface. So picture a deep sand chute with tall walls along it. Les tied in and ran the reel along the wall, spying millions of strawberry anemones mixed among the pearly white sponges. Shawn spied an electric ray laying on the same. It was so still, we were uncertain if it was alive. There were many lemon nudibranches and the white spotted dorids too. We found many colorful invertebrates – stars of several varieties, sea cucumbers, anemones, brilliant hues of sponges to list a few. It seems like every cold water starfish lived on this site too. The walls give the sea life protection from the surge and other water movement which allows for enhanced growth. We all followed along the canyon and turned at about 42 minutes. Kicking back to the anchor, we revisited the little ray. He was still on the sand in the same spot. He was about 10” wide and 15” long, solid black, Pretty cool. Now when annoyed, he activates flicking rows of lights down his back. What a wonderful critter! Once the reel was spooled in and we were on the anchor rode, we hung in the kelp watching the ringed snails and the kelp bugs. Now back on the boat, we enjoyed the warmth of the sun and a pastry. The sea was cold today, temp was 47 degrees, burr!
Dive two was on the back side of East Pinnacle. This is a site that Jim will only take the better divers. Sharon, Chris and Les were off the stern shortly after we anchored. Vanessa and Jeff followed close behind. The others were still cold from the first dive so they stayed aboard. During the decent we encountered tons of sea nettles, guarding your lips, we dropped. Sharon set the reel and spooled out. We kicked slowly along the pinnacle finding all sort of beautiful sea life. The rocks came alive with critters and color. The rocks were carpeted in strawberry anemones and orange and purple sponges. As we moved thru the stands of kelp, we admired the colorful seascape. After 37 minutes, we turned the dive due to everyone feeling chilled. Along the route back, Sharon pointed to a large crab munching on a jelly. He had a large meal in front of him. We deco’d among the rocks in the majestic kelp forest. Near the anchor was a stand of chorinactis, lavenders, peaches, pinks and crawling in the coral were many small red and blue shrimp. We watched several spiraled ringed top snails and kelp bugs. This passed the time during the stop. Now on the boat and enjoying something warm to drink, we headed back to the Bay.
After battling storms over the past weekends, it was great to see the calm waters and the low winds. Join us for the July dive!

For more pictures from the trip, check out our Photo Gallery. Do you have some pictures you would like to add to the gallery? Contact us!

Did you miss out? Our next dive trip is Sunday, Nov 07. Call us today to book your next dive!
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