Whidbey Island Critters

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
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 »

Adding new critter to my list. Cucumber normally hidden in muck.
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Scubie Doo
I've Got Gills
Posts: 3027
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Scubie Doo »

Wow, that is a really cool find.
Tangfish
NWDC Mascot
NWDC Mascot
Posts: 7746
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:11 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tangfish »

Now I'm gonna be on the lookout for one!
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 critter added to the list, my first flatworm !
Image
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Tom Nic
I've Got Gills
Posts: 9368
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:26 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tom Nic »

So cool....
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
User avatar
Gdog
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 3984
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:41 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Gdog »

Awesome!
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 »

Sunday dive at Keystone with my daughter. It doesn't get any better ... :)
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
Tangfish
NWDC Mascot
NWDC Mascot
Posts: 7746
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:11 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tangfish »

The size of that ling cod! Great pictures Jan. I especially like the one of the cross jellyfish, vis looks amazing and love the light in the shallows.
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 »

Thank you. The Lings at Keystone are big and tame. As for the shallows, the Bull kelp is dying - sign that winter is coming. But the sun yesterday provided nice touch to the scene...
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 »

What a blessing. I noticed a large aggregation of urchins. Is this normal, or do you think it a result of seastar wasting?
-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 »

Curt, I believe that the demise of the Sunflower stars are responsible for the exploding population of Green sea urchins at Keystone and at Coupeville.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
Tangfish
NWDC Mascot
NWDC Mascot
Posts: 7746
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:11 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tangfish »

Yes, everywhere I've seen a ton of urchins it was preceded by the sudden absence of sunflower stars in a once populous area of them. Though my foggy memory says that the urchin population explodes and then tapers off a bit.
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 »

They didn't include scuba divers in their brochure ....
Here are some of the traps non diving locals use:
Image
Image
Image
and some rockfish from the old Langley Tire Reef:
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 »

I returned to Deception Pass after couple months of goofing off elsewhere. Found few healthy stars, Stimpson's, Mottled, Six rayed and Blood, one wasting Mottled star. Everything else looks as I left it back in summer :)
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
bradmond
Submariner
Posts: 571
Joined: Fri May 31, 2013 1:50 am

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by bradmond »

We are lucky to have you among us. Thank you for taking the time to do what you do.
User avatar
YellowEye
I've Got Gills
Posts: 3234
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:08 am

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by YellowEye »

Extremely nice work. It is indeed a great park above and below!
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more!
User avatar
Tom Nic
I've Got Gills
Posts: 9368
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:26 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tom Nic »

Love it!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Tangfish
NWDC Mascot
NWDC Mascot
Posts: 7746
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:11 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tangfish »

Fantastic photos and narrative, as always Jan!
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 »

Thank you guys, I went back the next day, so here are few more from the pass :
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
Tom Nic
I've Got Gills
Posts: 9368
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:26 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tom Nic »

Absolutely lovely
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
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 »

In case you didn't know, October 29 is celebrated around the world as the SEA SLUG DAY ! :rofl:
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 »

Sailfin sculpin daytime encounter:
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 »

End of October sea star surveys:
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
Tangfish
NWDC Mascot
NWDC Mascot
Posts: 7746
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:11 pm

Re: Whidbey Island Critters

Post by Tangfish »

Love these creative posts Jan. Glad to see you back at full steam posting them!
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 »

More of Autumn colors. Above and under Possession Point State Park ...
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
Post Reply