Skin Dive#:025
Sun July 13, 08
Haggerty's
Purpose: inspect new terrain
Tide: Low @ 11 am
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 66 F
Enviroment: sunny, 1 -2 ft breaks
Visibilty: 10 -15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: fair
Time to date: 18 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 19 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: I walked for a good while after Flat Rock. The rocky terrain with my backpack, 12 pounds of weights and a gallon of water made the trip wobbly. I enjoyed the teetering and tottering. It'g good for my stiff ankles. Both ankles have been wrecked and placed in casts twice, so I always enjoy a good stretch for the ligaments. The constant rock hopping loosens them well. I past a dead pelican. I found an OMER brand italian made double edge dive knife. It was rusted and chipped. It must've been there for months, maybe longer, wedge under a rock with its butt exposed only at low tide. I admired it and saved it for my treasure chest. I walked further and noticed a trail which I must have not noticed earlier when looking from the street level down. It was next to a drain and ropes were tied to metal stakes to allow ease of ascent or descent. It looked completely precarious but, well worn. A little further I came to Haggerty's. You recognize the spot from the bottom by the giant cement retaining and splash wall built on the rocks that protects an old mansion now turned church right above, at the top of the cliffs. I've never been here and I was intrigued by the tiny hidden steps in the wall that lead to a wrought iron gate and small wooden doors, probably leading into a courtyard above. I noticed old cement pilings in the water near the shore. I placed my belongings near the wall about three feet from the rising tide. Good thing I was hear near low tide, otherwise it would be all water. I geard up and made a rocky entry and was in over eel grass, vast space of eel grass and small kelp. The waves were picking up and I held onto some old pilings. I quickly noticed a lobster under my face. I watched him a few inches under my face. He didn't budge. He probably didn't know what I was in such the cramped space. A little later I was over another, larger one. I inched my hand closer and he seemed to be weary. I quickly extened my hand to try to grab him for fun and he shot like lighting straight into my leg scaring me more than himself! I sawm around through teeny tiny fish in large schools that you could graze with your hand. I noticed a dagger sharp piece of metal and made sure to remember to stay clear of it. I saw three more lobster, one large, maybe a foot long, excluding antannaes. I also so a funny kelp fish, loooking indentical to a blade of green kelp. He held his hold firm as I swam over him. Perch and the staple opaleyes were around. I passed over kelp crab clinging in the increased waves. I looked up at the tourist spot above in the church courtyard. At different times families stopped to observe me swimming like a dolphin. When I got out I thought surely this place is not so frequented by skin diver's due to it's uncommon location. Also, if there's any waves it's hounded by surfers. I thought to myslef... I wanna come back soon!
Showing posts with label lost and found. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lost and found. Show all posts
July 12, 2008
Another Treasure At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:022
Fri July 11, 08
Christmas Tree Cove
Purpose: good conditions
Tide: High @ 5:30 pm
Entry: cobblestones @ 6:30 pm
Distance: reefs on left
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 66 F
Enviroment: sunny, 0 -1 ft breaks
Visibilty: 20+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: leopard shark, topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, garibaldi, giant black sea bass, sheephead, senorita, octopus, calico bass, sargo, rockfish of some sort - dark
Exit: same @ 7:30 pm
Time to date: 16 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr
Total time: 17 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: I arrived with my girlfriend at Christmas Tree Cove with anticipation to skin dive in flat and clam conditions. Once looking over the cliff I was rewarded with the sight of still waters and a clear view of the rocks in the shallow waters. This would be good conditions. Once down I geared up and didn't even have to watch the set because they were nonexistent. Once in I popped out to exclaim that I see a hundred fish already. I was happy. I swam out further and then casually put on my fins. The opaleyes appeared humongeous to me. I didn't remember them being so large. I pushed further out. The kelp was seaming thickish compared to previous dives. It was all around. It wasn't packed, but noticeble. I swam to the left. The surf perch grazed and tried to get out of my way. I felt great, the vis was ideal and my body felt wonderful from bicyling 10 miles prior in the day. I noticed the water was still full of micro organisms. From the bottom of the water looking up, the organsisms appeared like a blanket of chicken feathers against a transparent ceiling. I tried not to think of the micro organisms that were surely in my mouth. The kelp was nice to see. I made my way to the reefs up the left side and the fish were very thick in size. They must have been eating plenty lately. I saw Mr. Octopus traveling in quick leaps. I noticed a teeny tiny shark looking fish only two inshes long on the bottom. I swam down but had a hard time fiding him again. My weights worked great. I was lightning quick. I played around in the rock formations and then headed back to the mouth of the cove. On my way I saw a thick kelpy area. I approached it have a peak. I saw a large fish with a catfish like mouth and very heavy looking black body. He layed quiet in the breezy kelp stalks. I pushed further and he lazily moved away out of sight. I followed him for thirty feet then lost him. He was a Giant Black Sea Bass. Not too giant tho, but defientely large in comparison to the usual crowd. I got near the cobblestones and snuck into some kelp. I saw through a window some very large surf perch eating. I inshed closer and they still didn't see me unitl we were nose to nose and then they scattered. The began circlign my kelp hold. One was extremely fat and quick. He frantically came around in a circle. He had a scar like stripe running long ways on his side. One big surf perch would of fed a small dinner party. I swam out to the middle of the cove to look in sand. On the way I saw large kelp bass that was about the size of the Giant Black Sea Bass. A weighty fellow. I got out to get a drink. I went up the middle again and to the left side. I saw a dark sheephead. It too had the same sad fat lips of the sea bass. It moved slow and I watched it from above. A school of larger skinny silver fish came by. I'm pretty sure they were grunion, they were nondescript and all the same tone. On the way back in a squinted at an object fifteen feet down. A knife! It was in a little bit of dirt but I could make out what it was. Shiny little part with matte black and a cord. I calmed my self breathed peacefully, floated flat, popped my ears and shot down. I had to actually kick hard to get down that far. I felt pressure on my ears. I grabbed it, looked up and kicked some more. Treasure was mine! I swam in and admired my find. It had guts on the blade and wasn't even a tad bit rusty. A hunter must have lost it if not a few days ago, earlier today.
Fri July 11, 08
Christmas Tree Cove
Purpose: good conditions
Tide: High @ 5:30 pm
Entry: cobblestones @ 6:30 pm
Distance: reefs on left
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 66 F
Enviroment: sunny, 0 -1 ft breaks
Visibilty: 20+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: leopard shark, topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, garibaldi, giant black sea bass, sheephead, senorita, octopus, calico bass, sargo, rockfish of some sort - dark
Exit: same @ 7:30 pm
Time to date: 16 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr
Total time: 17 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: I arrived with my girlfriend at Christmas Tree Cove with anticipation to skin dive in flat and clam conditions. Once looking over the cliff I was rewarded with the sight of still waters and a clear view of the rocks in the shallow waters. This would be good conditions. Once down I geared up and didn't even have to watch the set because they were nonexistent. Once in I popped out to exclaim that I see a hundred fish already. I was happy. I swam out further and then casually put on my fins. The opaleyes appeared humongeous to me. I didn't remember them being so large. I pushed further out. The kelp was seaming thickish compared to previous dives. It was all around. It wasn't packed, but noticeble. I swam to the left. The surf perch grazed and tried to get out of my way. I felt great, the vis was ideal and my body felt wonderful from bicyling 10 miles prior in the day. I noticed the water was still full of micro organisms. From the bottom of the water looking up, the organsisms appeared like a blanket of chicken feathers against a transparent ceiling. I tried not to think of the micro organisms that were surely in my mouth. The kelp was nice to see. I made my way to the reefs up the left side and the fish were very thick in size. They must have been eating plenty lately. I saw Mr. Octopus traveling in quick leaps. I noticed a teeny tiny shark looking fish only two inshes long on the bottom. I swam down but had a hard time fiding him again. My weights worked great. I was lightning quick. I played around in the rock formations and then headed back to the mouth of the cove. On my way I saw a thick kelpy area. I approached it have a peak. I saw a large fish with a catfish like mouth and very heavy looking black body. He layed quiet in the breezy kelp stalks. I pushed further and he lazily moved away out of sight. I followed him for thirty feet then lost him. He was a Giant Black Sea Bass. Not too giant tho, but defientely large in comparison to the usual crowd. I got near the cobblestones and snuck into some kelp. I saw through a window some very large surf perch eating. I inshed closer and they still didn't see me unitl we were nose to nose and then they scattered. The began circlign my kelp hold. One was extremely fat and quick. He frantically came around in a circle. He had a scar like stripe running long ways on his side. One big surf perch would of fed a small dinner party. I swam out to the middle of the cove to look in sand. On the way I saw large kelp bass that was about the size of the Giant Black Sea Bass. A weighty fellow. I got out to get a drink. I went up the middle again and to the left side. I saw a dark sheephead. It too had the same sad fat lips of the sea bass. It moved slow and I watched it from above. A school of larger skinny silver fish came by. I'm pretty sure they were grunion, they were nondescript and all the same tone. On the way back in a squinted at an object fifteen feet down. A knife! It was in a little bit of dirt but I could make out what it was. Shiny little part with matte black and a cord. I calmed my self breathed peacefully, floated flat, popped my ears and shot down. I had to actually kick hard to get down that far. I felt pressure on my ears. I grabbed it, looked up and kicked some more. Treasure was mine! I swam in and admired my find. It had guts on the blade and wasn't even a tad bit rusty. A hunter must have lost it if not a few days ago, earlier today.
June 23, 2008
Aquarium Conditions At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:015
Sun Jun 22, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: Try weights and take advantage of great conditions
Tide: High @ 1:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to point on left side, twice
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny, hot and flat
Visibilty: up to 20ft+
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, calico bass, white bass, possibly young black bass, rockfish, treefish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hares, octopus, snails
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 9 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 2 hrs
Total time: 11 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: As I was heading down to Christmas Tree Cove two spearfishers were coming up the trail and we chatted a bit about the great conditions. It was their first time there and they said they had fun and understand why it's sometimes referred to as 'Crystal Cove'. I agrreed and made my way to the bottom.
I geared up and and went in with a new addition to my skin diving (snorkeling) gear: 12 lbs of weight on a rubber belt. This was my first time using weights and boy did it increase the fun. I was able to stare down an octopus while on the bottom and practically swim with the fish. A couple times I banged on the lead weights with my knuckles and watched the fish change expressions. I was also wearing some cheap gardening gloves that did the trick real well of kepping my hands unscathed. I even managed to help a floating sea hare find a rock to sit on. Something that is funny that happened... I tried to entice a school of perch with my pale gloves. They seemed to almost be in a slight trance as I performed interpretive glove dances for them in the shallows! It was a great 2 hours in the water. At one point I got out for some liquid and went right back out. I practiced equalizing my ears. I can get down to over 10 ft. and feel comfortbale. In the middle of the dive I found a working flashlight. Out half way through the cove on the left here is a funny little rocky mini - tunnel. It's not completely covered so I dove into it and imagnined what cave diving must feel like. Also, I realized all the discarded spark plugs are what people used for fishing weights, shame. I'll have to bring a bag and collect and throw them away. Later in the week high tide will be conveniently timed after I get off work. I hope conditions stay great.
Sun Jun 22, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: Try weights and take advantage of great conditions
Tide: High @ 1:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to point on left side, twice
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny, hot and flat
Visibilty: up to 20ft+
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, calico bass, white bass, possibly young black bass, rockfish, treefish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hares, octopus, snails
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 9 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 2 hrs
Total time: 11 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: As I was heading down to Christmas Tree Cove two spearfishers were coming up the trail and we chatted a bit about the great conditions. It was their first time there and they said they had fun and understand why it's sometimes referred to as 'Crystal Cove'. I agrreed and made my way to the bottom.
I geared up and and went in with a new addition to my skin diving (snorkeling) gear: 12 lbs of weight on a rubber belt. This was my first time using weights and boy did it increase the fun. I was able to stare down an octopus while on the bottom and practically swim with the fish. A couple times I banged on the lead weights with my knuckles and watched the fish change expressions. I was also wearing some cheap gardening gloves that did the trick real well of kepping my hands unscathed. I even managed to help a floating sea hare find a rock to sit on. Something that is funny that happened... I tried to entice a school of perch with my pale gloves. They seemed to almost be in a slight trance as I performed interpretive glove dances for them in the shallows! It was a great 2 hours in the water. At one point I got out for some liquid and went right back out. I practiced equalizing my ears. I can get down to over 10 ft. and feel comfortbale. In the middle of the dive I found a working flashlight. Out half way through the cove on the left here is a funny little rocky mini - tunnel. It's not completely covered so I dove into it and imagnined what cave diving must feel like. Also, I realized all the discarded spark plugs are what people used for fishing weights, shame. I'll have to bring a bag and collect and throw them away. Later in the week high tide will be conveniently timed after I get off work. I hope conditions stay great.
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