September

About September – 2018 Underwater Paparazzi Calendar

I discovered this little cove area while volunteering for Rocks Rips and Reefs last year. The 3 R’s is an educational and safety program for Divers, experienced Snorkelers and Swimmers. Participants learn about various sites to get a better understanding of the underwater features and how tides and conditions may affect them. While this area of Bird Rock La Jolla tends to be more of a surf spot, it intrigued me with its little cove like curves. So after stalking the swell reports obsessively I finally got an opportunity to jump in with my camera. Visibility is challenging here due to the swell turning up the bottom regularly but it’s definitely not short of marine life… if you can see it. 😀 Was still a fun challenge and cool adventure!

As you’ve read previously, I do love finding nudibranchs! So many colors and varieties! This chubby Triopha maculata is one of the most variably colored and large nudibranchs on the Pacific coast of North America. While the average size tends to be 2 inches, they can be as large as 7 inches! This cutie was cruising the canyon floor in La Jolla.

Why so blue? Although I believe this is a brown rock fish… 😀 There are soooo many types of rock fish! More than 100 kinds and all with beautiful colorings! Colors vary from black and drab green to bright orange and red, and some rockfishes wear stripes or splotches. Their heads feature large eyes and thick, broad mouths that dip downward at the corners. This one was hanging out on the wall in the La Jolla Shores canyon and was very cooperative in posing for me!

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