Fun Dives with Sanctuary on Erik's Pinnacle and Deep Shale Reef March 2, 2019

Guy Foster and I had two fun dives with Sanctuary in Monterey Bay on Saturday.  We managed to catch a break between rain and winds for a good outing.

Below are some pictures from our first dive which was on Erik's Pinnacle, one of the best dive sites inside Monterey Bay, for more pictures please go to:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zsVp3FmDtYFAWcFWA

Guy getting setup to take some pictures at the foot of Erik's Pinnacle.

Feeding Acorn Barnacle with Strawberry Anemones

                                Olive Rockfish

                                          Sea Pen

                                                   Sea Lemon Nudibranch with Strawberry Anemones

                                           Large Decorator Crab

     Guy with large Sheep Crab

                                          Blue Striped Surfperch

                               Blue Rockfish and a lonely Halfmoon


Our second dive was at "Deep Shale Reef" in around 60 ft of water off Del Monte Beach.  This site has some different invertebrate life from what we usually see on the granite rock structures we usually dive on.  Shale reef is sedimentary shale rock ledges, the softer rock invites burrowing invertebrates.  The shale rock ledges of this area remind me of the limestone ledges common in the Gulf of Mexico off Dunedin, Florida, where I started scuba diving 52 years ago...  Below are some pictures from this dive, for more, please go to: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JSXbS2DzisRjbkpV9

                                   Guy setup at a shale ledge, ready to start shooting.  We'll be traveling up to Vancouver Island, BC, the last week of March for a week of diving at God's Pocket so it was good to make sure we've got our dry suits and other paraphernalia sorted.  I bought another warm layer for under my drysuit after this dive....

                               Shale-boring upper, right of center, and a plethora of brittle stars

                                       Black Eyed Goby and other invertebrate denizens.

    A Blue Banded Ronquil, you can just see the band on his lower fin.  These guys are frequently quite shy but this one was cooperative.  About 5 inches long.  Black eyed goby in background, with brittle stars. I tested this guy's patience, took several pictures.

                                          San Diego Dorid Nudibranch

                               Blue Edged Ronquil with Orange Bat Star

                                Two varieties of Shale Boring Clams

                                Shale Boring Clam shell in my somewhat clumsy but warm, drysuit glove