Whidbey Island Critters

[LCF]

Oooh, neat find!

[Jan K]

Thank you Lynne, they are not rare, but sure hard to find with my old eyes
Easier to point and shoot some of the larger occupants of Keystone ...

[LCF]

Wow -- my hat is off to you, getting such a good portrait of the kelp greenling. They are SUCH skittish fish!

[Jan K]

Thanks Lynne,.
And Painted Greenling singing praises to Keystone

[LCF]

You CAUGHT a surfperch . . . I can't even count the number of times I've tried to capture one of those quick, elusive fish!

[Jan K]

They do like dart around. Here is a little info from their life ...

[Jan K]

Another look into the mirror. I am so pretty !

[LCF]

So, did the little wolfie seem to have much of a reaction to his/her reflection?

[Jan K]

So, did the little wolfie seem to have much of a reaction to his/her reflection?

When I started fooling around with the mirror, I expected much more from action from it. So far, only the Painted greenlings actually "attacked" their own image. The wolfie was not much interested in participating in my experiment ...

[oldsalt]

Jan: If I am ever fortunate enough to dive with you in the future, please don't hold a mirror up to me.
-Curt

[Jan K]

Curt, I hope we get to dive together before too long
Don't worry, I don't carry the mirror on too many dives anymore ...

[Jan K]

[LCF]

Oh, that pink-tipped anemone picture is stunning, Jan!

[Jan K]

Thank you Lynne.

Since the news about Sea Star Wasting disease keeps circulating with more and more localities on the west coast reporting it, I approached the harbormaster of Langley Marina and asked for permission to check the sea star population there since thew place is crawling with Sunflower stars. They let me do it, as I went when there was a lull today in the harbor expansion work. I did not find any sick Sunflower stars, but did find two Mottled stars showing signs of some sort of problem, one separated arm got my attention. Hopefully this is not the start of the mass die-off reported from neighboring Canada ...

[Jan K]

[Jan K]

The long and very interesting saga of my first encounter with Giant Pacific Octopus egg rearing at Possession Point
came to the end. Since my first sighting on May 23, I visited he octo mama at least once a week, watching the eggs changing until last Friday, I saw her very lethargic, and almost all the eggs hatched and I knew, that the end is near. Today, Sunday, I went again to check on her and I found the den empty, patrolled by couple of Brown rockfish. I will miss her, I was looking forward to see what change I will find ... I got plenty of photos to remember her by...

[Jan K]

And here are some of the pictures with story about the life cycle I was fortunate to witness.
Since I don't have GPOs mating, Red octopus have to play the supporting role
Enjoy:

[KneeDeep]

Who needs Discovery channel... great stuff Jan

[Jan K]

Who needs Discovery channel... great stuff Jan

Thanks.
Here are more panels describing the early stage of GPO life. I have the good fortune to have Roland Anderson, Biologist Emeritus, Seattle Aquarium, the expert on octopuses as a fellow Whidbey resident ! I learned a lot from him. Very nice guy.

[Norris]

Your photos and information never cease to amaze me. Thanks Jan!!!

[LCF]

I can't believe the photos of the larvae leaving the eggs. No matter what you have done, Jan, you always seem to manage to top it. I don't know how you are going to beat these, though!

[Jan K]

Thank you, Norris, Lynne.

It was a very interesting project. Last few stragglers hatching at the now unguarded octopus den.

[Jan K]

now for the lighter side of diving :

[Desert Diver]

Wonderful talking to you today Jan. Thanks for continuing to post your amazing pictures.

Brian

[Jan K]

Thanks Brian, it was nice to meet you at Keystone now three days in a row !
Does it mean you like my favorite spot too ?
This one is from the night dive we did there on Tuesday ...