It was a challenging day at the bridge to say the least. The strong and steady wind from the north created a strong chop in the intracoastal that reduced vis to five or six feet. Carrie and I had four students and a certified diver with us. It was a great day to practice the lost buddy protocol. Three of our students were in 3mm suits for our one hour, six-minute dive. One of them was quite chilled by the end of the dive in water that bounced between sixty-eight and seventy degrees. Despite the difficult conditions both above and below, our students did very well and we did manage to see a seahorse in the junk pile on the northern side of the fishing pier and an octopus in nearly the same spot. The lionfish was discovered just off the beach in five feet of water. It is the first time I have seen an adult lionfish at the bridge. We've seen juvenile lionfish, but this adult is another indication that their population is growing. On a more positive note, we've seen a loon diving for fish just off the beach by the Sumar. They are here for the winter before returning to the lakes of the northern states. If you have ever heard the call of a loon on a wilderness lake, you know the incredible voice of these magnificent birds. Sometimes they even carry their babies on their backs! There is so much going on at the bridge. Get in the water, Ham
