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Posted in Unspecified
Friday, November 23rd 2007
Hmmm...I initially went to the Laguna Hills Mall to hopefully meet up
with some buddies only to find myself 'solo.' No worries.
Having checked the conditions before heading out at 5:30am this
morning (shopping), I made my way to Woods Cove since it was high tide and
flat conditions.
Dive #1:
Woods Cove, South Laguna
Surf: Yeah, right! NADA
Swell: minimal to zilch
Surge: minimal to moderate on East Reef and Middle Reef; Dead Calm
on West Reef
Viz: 10-15' on East and Middle Reef; 30-40' on West Reef
Temp: 64 degrees Suunto ~ Toasty!
Max Depth: 25'
BT: 60'
Wow, what a great dive this morning. Calm conditions on the surface;
surgey on the East and Middle Reef to the point I almost lost my
pumpkin pie while attempting the capture of bugs. Lots of bugs, just not
within reach unfortunately. The usual critters were out in force. What
made this dive special, was the relatively calm conditions and high
tide that allowed me to explore parts of the reef that I hadn't seen
before. I stumbled upon a new cave that you litterally have to enter it by
dropping down into it in about 15' FSW just south of the Middle Reef.
Pretty cool. It emptied me out into some pretty neat rock formations
in which I discovered Window Paynes and 'Port Holes' in the reef. Ugh!
No camera today. The 'Port Hole' in the reef was really cool in that
that it was framed by muscles. As I watched the life on the other
side, you could see eel grass swaying back and fourth and a multitude of
fish including Garibaldi's poking their faces through the port.
Would have been nice video!
In this same area, I spotted numerous Spanish Shawl's laying eggs.
Again, my frustration for not having my camera.
Not much else to report. Nice viz and lots of fun exploring. Exited
without incident after 60' with 1325 PSI left.
Dive #2
Shaw's Cove, North Laguna Beach
Surf: 0-2'
Swell: minimal
Surge: minimal
Viz: 10-15' (maybe less)
Temp: Toasty
Max Depth: 37'
BT: 45 minutes
Decided to burn off my tank at Shaw's. Entered in calm conditions.
Dropped down early on the reef, viz wasn't as good as Wood's Cove, but
doable. Played around in the shallows; entered the Arch and spotted a
T. Fungina on a Lobster Molt (again, no camera...argh); tons and tons
of Hopkins Rose on the south side of the Arch; more T Fungina's.
Relatively calm in the Arch until Swoosh! The *Mist* set in in total white
out! What the heck? I usuall notice surge when this happens, but no
surge. How strange! Decided to exit the Arch and made my way south on
the reef.
Lots of Octopi out and about and in crevices as well. Bumped into
Jeff R at depth. Funny how we tend to recognise our buddies, even under
water??? LOL Waved Hello then goodbye as I continued south. I
reached Turn-Around rock in which I decided to go pay Shelly a visit.
Whoever repaired her, did a pretty good job. She doesn't stand as erect, but
nonetheless, a job well done. As reported, she has growth on her
except her womanly parts.
Paid my vist to Moray in the verticle crevice near Turn-Around Rock
in which he was keeping company with a fairly large bug. Is it my
imagination, or is Moray growing??? He looked extremely large today. Could
have been the feedings he has been receiving lately.
Due to PSI dwindling down, decided to make a slow turn-around.
Popped up in 4' of water and skipped out without incident...catching up with
Jeff and Mike. Once Topside, bumped into more buddies Christian aka
Head-Hunter and Jim aka LAJim from Scubaboard/ DiveMatrix.
Another great day of Laguna Diving!
Jan
5:40 PM - 11/23/2007 -
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