Dives at Mr. Ed and Shale Island with Beachhopper II December 9, 2023

Guy Foster and I enjoyed two dives with Beachhopper II last Saturday, December 9. Our first dive was at Mr. Ed with depths from 80 to 65 ft. It had been rough the previous day and visibility only ranged from 5 to 15 ft but we still had an enjoyable dive. One of our co divers, Ed, saw and got pictures of a smallish Mola Mola or two. Below are some pictures from our dive. For more pictures from this dive, please go to: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wR9Z5ME2wXvW1We27 Below: Limited visibility, very green. Rainbow nudibranchs, rainbow nudibranch eggs on its prey, tube anemone. Decorator crab.

Below: Guy in dark, limited visibility. We were buzzed by a curious sea lion.

Below: Olive Rockfish. Also, Bluebanded Ronquil (I think).

I had an nice encounter with a male Cabezon guarding his mate's eggs, the greenish grayish mass under his chin. Below:

Our second dive was on Shale Island. It was my third dive on the site and I finally came upon the huge Navy anchor. Visibility was again disappointing, about 8 ft. Below are some pictures from this dive, more are at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fv86F8uAkRkH5vxd9

Another Bluebanded Ronquil, and a photogenic, and patient, Red Rock crab. A Sea Lemon Nudibranch followed by a Yellow Edged Cadlina Nudibranch. Below: