Julie, and Terry on this 124 minute single shore-entry dive in depths from 2.5 to 6 m. Positively balmy 24C water temp, 8 m viz. and light surge.
Northerly winds meant that boat diving was not an ideal option on Thursday, however it meant that conditions were finally suitable to check out Kings Beach after a long hiatus. The visibility was very good for this site and, despite a large amount of different algae, the reef looks fairly healthy. The critters were out in significant numbers for this site, with Umbraculum umbraculum still around and laying eggs.
Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count
Ardeadoris aff. averni - 1
Cyerce sp. - 1 (Found on Dictyota bartayresiana)
Dermatobranchus cf. primus - 3
*Doriprismatica atromarginata - 23
Goniobranchus splendidus - 6
Gymnodoris alba - 3
Gymnodoris okinawae - 4
Hypselodoris obscura - 9
Hypselodoris whitei - 2
Julia exquisita - 1
Mexichromis festiva - 13
Mexichromis trilineata - 2
Micromelo undatus - 1
Thuridilla carlsoni - 1
Umbraculum umbraculum - 2
Julia exquisita
Gymnodoris alba
Julia exquisita - on Dictyota
dichotoma var. intricata (we think!)
dichotoma var. intricata (we think!)
Terry going low and slow
Substrate
Surface conditions
Micromelo undatus
Hypselodoris whitei
Umbraculum umbraculum - laying eggs from
the outside in
the outside in
Gymnodoris okinawae
Cyerce sp.
