Dive Log, January 22, 2005

The divers wanted to go a little deeper this morning, so we decided to
dive one of the points. We decided on Pine Trees point, just a couple
miles north of the marina. Viz was outstanding! We dropped down to
about 120 feet and checked out a several hundred schooling fish of a
dozen different varieties. We like to dive out at the points because
they tend to be very fishy due to the mixing of the current lines that
naturally occur in that environment.

Later, in the shallows of the dive site we encountered two leaf
scorpion fish. We've been seeing this particular pair there now for a
few weeks. One is a creamy white and the other a bright magenta. Leaf
scorpions like others in their family sit in one spot on the reef using
their pectoral fins like hands to hang on. They try to blend in and go
unnoticed which makes them hard to spot. Also, because they sit in one
spot all the time they tend to grow algae on their bodies. They get all
fuzzy and cruddy looking and then they molt revealing their bright,
new, shiny self. The magenta one has molted recently. Be-yew-tee-ful!

For the second dive...

The dolphins were hanging around Manta Ray Bay, so we decided to do it
again today in hopes of catching a glimpse of them underwater. Although
we could hear them throughout the dive, they eluded us. However, we
were blessed with a fabulous Eagle Ray encounter. This one was moving
so slowly, it seemed as if it was just hanging there in mid water. We
were able to get REALLY close. The divers got great photos and video.
Later we were fortunate enough to see two more! Other noteworthy
critters were; two Green Hawaiian Lionfish, (endemic!) and a baby
razorfish which dove into the sand to hide... but Mike scooped up the
sand and as it ran through his fingers, the tiny fish was left propped
up in the crook of Mike's fingers. Too cute!

It was another great day of Kona diving!