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  3. THE UNIVERSE BENEATH
  4. FUN DIVES AND DIVE BUDDIES

July 11 and 12, 2009: Wing and Tanker Barge

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windowlace coral

  • NICE! An empty cowry shell! Notice that nice sand.
  • Now HERE is the critter we were looking for. The beautiful and interesting nudibranch (sea slug) called the "Blue dragon" (Pteraeolidia ianthina). The color varies, so they are not all blue, but it is easy to see how they got the "dragon" name.
  • Some of you have read about these guys in previous albums. If this includes you, please forgive the repetition. A blue dragon starts out life much as does any other nudibranch. It feeds on poisonous hydroids and soft corals. Now, these critters (hydroids and soft corals) contain symbiotic organisms (called Zooxanthellae) which photosynthesize and provide food. They also contain stinging cells (called nematocysts) for protection. The blue dragon digests most of the body parts, but the Zooxanthellae and nematocysts are able to pass through the dragon's digestive tract and become incorporated into the surface tissue. The many appendages (called cerata) are arranged to maximize surface area and allow optimum photosynthesis. Many experts say that blue dragons probably do not need to eat at all once they attain adulthood.
  • This barge is not really considered to be a dive site, but I think it is totally cool. It has just enough walls, compartments, and windows to create mystery and lead the explorer onward ("What is through THIS window?"), but is open enough to be a reasonably safe open water dive (NOT a penetration type of dive). There are many skylights above, which let the sunshine through, as you can see here.
  • Rose, I think you look like you are enjoying the dive. One of the skylights is quite visible above.
  • Another blue dragon. Here you can see a little more "blue-ness" of it. Or maybe they are called "blue" dragons because someone thought that they looked melancholy?
  • Lots of interesting stuff scattered around, creating a pretty cool artificial reef.
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  • These little volcanoes occur elsewhere, too, but not usually this densely. I don't know what type of critter creates and lives in these. Sometimes they will "erupt," with sand and small debris coming out for a minute or so. I have tried to dig down, but have always come up empty-handed. If anyone knows what these are, please leave a comment!
  • I'm not sure what species this ornate nudibranch is. I think it is genus Risbecia, which is a type of Chromodorid. By the way, the term "nudibranch" technically means "naked gills." You can clearly see the gills of these two, on their backs.
  • I would think that this would be a totally cool dive for someone familiar with what some of the equipment may be.
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  • Time to head back up to the kayaks and return to shore. The next photo is back at Wing. I hope you enjoyed the Tanker!
  • Tiny nudibranch (Thuridilla bayeri). This starts our Sunday afternoon dive at Wing.
  • This implement is out at about 90 feet. I have no idea whether it is something nautical or a piece of discarded farm equipment. It appears to have an auger (corkscrew), which could have been for digging or for moving grain, dirt, sand, etc. Crinoids seem to find it a fine place to frequent.
  • AAAAAhhhhrrrrgggghhh! Attack of the crinoid!
  • I think this crinoid is just sitting there laughing!
  • Can you flind the founder? Oops! I mean can you find the flounder?
  • Can you find BOTH flounders here? I have never seen them dance like this before.
  • Totally cool. I assume it may have been a mating display, but I'm not sure.
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