Nick, David, Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 66 minute and 1 x 71 minute dives in water depths from 14 m to 18 m. 25 m viz, 22 C water temp and moderate surge.
Great surface and underwater conditions were enjoyed again except for the surge that made photography of the smaller species somewhat difficult. Finds of note include: Diversidoris flava, Goniobranchus kuniei, Mexichromis macropus, Tambja morosa and Verconia decussata. Compare the photo of Verconia decussata with that of Verconia simplex and observe the differences between their rhinophores and gills. We had the pleasure of an unexpected visitor in the form of a Northern Giant Petrel that showed no fear by swimming right up to the swim platform to check us out.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Ardeadoris sp. 2 1/-
Berthella martensi -/1
Bulbaeolidia alba -/1
* Chromodoris elisabethina 2/7
Chromodoris kuiteri -/3
Chromodoris lochi -/1
Cratena simba 1/-
Diversidoris flava -/2
Doriprismatica atromarginata 4/1
Goniobranchus geometricus 1/-
Goniobranchus kuniei 1/-
Goniobranchus sp. 7 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus 1/-
Mexichromis macropus -/1
Mexichromis trilineata -/1
Phyllidia exquisita -/1
Phyllidia varicosa 1/2
Phyllidiella lizae 1/-
Phyllidiella pustulosa 2/1
Tambja morosa 3/1
Tenellia sp. 33 -/1
Thuridilla splendens 1/-
Verconia decussata 1/-
Verconia simplex -/1
Unclear aeolid -/1
Preparing to get underway
Substrate
Verconia decussata
Phyllidiella pustulosa
Goniobranchus sp. 7
Goniobranchus geometricus
Cratena simba
Surface conditions
Chromodoris kuiteri
Chromodoris elisabethina - laying egg spiral
Phyllidiella lizae
Phyllidia varicosa
Bulbaeolidia alba
Chromodoris lochi
Phyllidia exquisita
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Tenellia sp. 33
Mexichromis macropus
Berthella martensi
Our visitor - Northern Giant Petrel
(Macronectes halli)
Ardeadoris sp. 2
Hexabranchus sanguineus - juvenile
Tambja morosa
Goniobranchus kuniei
Goniobranchus kuniei - front-on aspect
Diver re-boarding
Verconia simplex
Mexichromis trilineata
Diversidoris flava
