Whidbey Island Critters

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
User avatar
dwashbur
I've Got Gills
Posts: 2849
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:33 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by dwashbur »

It would seem they are the sea equivalent of a porcupine.
Dave

"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Two days of Deception Pass diving provided just the right amount of variance from the recent 2000 mile car road trip. The large number of Cross jellies zooming by in the current was very noticeable, I don't remember seeing them here in such numbers before.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

The Sea Star Wasting Syndrome now reached Penn Cove as well.
Interestingly, the stars on the wharf piling in the warmer water are healthy while the ones below 20 feet of depth away from the structure are sick. It might be because the oxygen levels there are really, really low according to data from the nearby Penn Cove Mussel Farm. Other sea critters which normally live under the surface of the mud are now on top, and showing sign of distress. As they did last two years in September and October.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
ScubaJess
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 2681
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2014 3:56 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by ScubaJess »

I saw a lot of really sad Burrowing Brittle Stars at Sund Rock today. Also a lot of Plumose anemones & sea cucumbers didn't look very good. It was very depressing and super dark down there below the gross brown layer on top. I really hope all the critters can survive this low oxegyn and pollution issue :(
Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Some of the Keystone Jetty rockfish. Proof that underwater park, no fishing area,
is good for fish and for divers who like to take pictures of fish :)
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
oldsalt
I've Got Gills
Posts: 1061
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:02 am

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by oldsalt »

Years ago, I read that the improved fisheries in areas adjacent to "no fishing" zones more than compensated for the loss of fishing due to the sanctuary.
-Curt
Happy to be alive.
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Another change in the taxonomy of slugs.
All the Leopard dorids in waters around Whidbey Island were covered with spots even if the ones in my guide book sported only few. The variations was attributed to "morphs". New paper in the Journal of Molluscan Studies describes that we are dealing with two different critters. Maybe because of climate change and the warmer water, this March I found one Leopard dorid with just few spots at Skyline on Fidalgo Island. It will be interesting to see if there will be more of them in the future munching on our sponges...
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Keystone Jetty, some of the crabs and shrimp who find their home there ...
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Sea star survey, Keystone and Langley...
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
Tidepool Geek
Aquaphile
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 10:36 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tidepool Geek »

Hi Jan,

Please forgive my poor memory but was Langley Harbor (and Coupeville) clear of the disease prior to this year or is this outbreak 'round two'?

Sickly yours,
Alex
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Hi Alex, unfortunately, this is round three for Langley and Coupeville.
Coupeville was not as bad as Langley and so far again is affected less in spite of being only 17 miles away.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Fish heads :)
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Saturday and Sunday at my favorite Whidbey Island dive site.
Good way to say goodbye to summer and hello to Autumn colors :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
johndo88
Compulsive Diver
Posts: 321
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 3:50 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by johndo88 »

I found this to be hilarious. :)
Attachments
hang_on.jpg
hang_on.jpg (22.99 KiB) Viewed 4722 times
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Yesterday's dive at the Possession Point Fingers illustrates how diverse the Whidbey Island underwater scenery is. The riot of colors at the Deception Pass on the northern end contrasting with somber, almost monochrome walls of the southern end. Where the Possession Fingers lack in color, they dazzle with textures and shapes...
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

These days I encounter jellyfish on every dive, small and large. Some of them carry other life forms and some provide food to others...
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Another visit to neighboring Fidalgo Island and its major dive attraction - the Skyline Wall. Quite different scenery than found on Whidbey.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Another roundup of sea stars at Whidbey Island.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

It looks like the White Glove Leather Tunicate doesn't make a good neighbor. The word INVASIVE comes to mind...
Image
Image
Image
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Although October 8th is the World Octopus Day, I did not find a single one. Deception Pass Little North Beach was a busy place today, lot of divers showed up in spite of heavy overcast and occasional rain showers. In spite of the gloomy weather above, there was plenty to see underwater. Lots of Cross jellies and the usual profusion of color. And thank you Jessica Alexanderson for being a willing model and adding another dimension to the scene. :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Last edited by Jan K on Sun Oct 09, 2016 7:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Jeremy
I've Got Gills
Posts: 1547
Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:25 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jeremy »

Amazing pics Jan!! It was great seeing you today!
User avatar
Greg Jensen
Amphibian
Posts: 857
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:02 am

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Greg Jensen »

Actually the Henricia with the white "armpits" like the one shown here are an undescribed species- one of many in our area
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Jan K »

Wikipedia description of Deception Pass. And few more pictures of the stuff we look for while there, braving the elements :)
Image
Wikipedia dive planner:
Image
Yelloweye going wide angle ...
Image
sponges are almost impossible to ID ...
Image
hot pants:
Image
be careful where you sit down ...
Image
need to see dermatologist:
Image
I did not see the slug until I got to the computer ...
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
fmerkel
I've Got Gills
Posts: 1037
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:45 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by fmerkel »

Amazing pictures Jan. Almost went but decided on Day Island to see the wolfies (8) and count GPO (2), plus a HUGE Stellar Sea Lion. Never seen one that large and never diving on that wall. Amazing encounter.
To Air is Human,
To Respire, Divine.
Post Reply