Two dives at Monolobo, Carmel Bay, 12-11-13

Greg Hoberg and I had two outstanding dives at Monolobo last Wednesday.  Sea conditions were exceptionally calm so on our second dive we went in shallow around some wash rocks and shallow pinnacles which would normally present "washing machine" conditions.  We enjoyed 40 to 50 ft visibility and 50 degree water temperature.  We saw many cabezon, several protecting eggs, and maybe 100 ling cod.  Its great that this is now a protected area.

I posted way to many pictures because conditions were way too beautiful for me to edit below are a couple, to see the rest please go to:
https://plus.google.com/photos/110159573286645489662/albums/5957376424710523921?authkey=CPnqnNCersqSGQ

 Beautiful lingcod, bold, confident.

 Blue rockfish above one of the pinnacles we found.

 Clear water, bright sunshine, no surge, incredible dive conditions for central California.

Bull kelp forest in shallow water.

Two dives first on the Pinnacles, second off Pescadero Point 12-10-13

Greg Hoberg and I enjoyed two excellent dives last Tuesday.  The first was on the Pinnacles, the water looked like Hawaiian water but not unfortunately as warm....  We could see the bottom from the boat as we decided to anchor and dive.

 Bright, clear, water, all too rare in Monterey/Carmel.  It felt like the Channel Islands!

 We were visited by a curious, but very cautious, sea lion, so no closeups...

A small, declining swell was running and we had sunny skies and 40 ft visibility and 50 degree water.  It's great diving on the Pinnacles when you can see far enough to pick different ridges and canyons to explore.  We saw the usual mix of rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and both kelp and painted greenlings.  Right after we finished the dive we enjoyed a new treat for our dive trips - hot cocoa - wonderful.  While we were enjoying our cocoa a Gray whale surfaced in the kelp quite near to us, we sure wished he'd come along while we were still in the water...
For a few more photos go to:
https://plus.google.com/photos/110159573286645489662/albums/5957352203550319329?authkey=CJC6zqzP1qXjzAE

Our second dive was off Pescadero Point.  We had 30 to 40 ft visibility.  Another great dive.

 Diving in kelp forests is magical when the water is clear and you have sunlight, a very rare combination in these parts..

 Supremely confident large ling cod stands its ground while we flash away with our strobes.

 Another cabezon guarding eggs (to its left in this picture).

Beautiful diving scenery.
For more:
https://plus.google.com/photos/110159573286645489662/albums/5957377333199306529?authkey=COT-8tXt7falwAE