Carrie, a dive-couple, and I had a very nice one hour, twenty-two minute dive at the west bridge today. We entered the seventy-seven degree water under overcast skies and exited under bright blue, somewhat cooler skies. Our purpose was to give the new folks an orientation dive so that when they come to visit from northern Florida, if the tides are right, they can do the dive themselves. So we did some compass work and gave some instruction on how to use the reel and dive flag, but for the most part, just played sightseers. One of our friends experienced what happens when one violates the first rule of "no slack in the line" when using a reel. What better place to have the "wrapped up in one's work" experience than at the Bridge where we can all have a chuckle. We saw a medium-sized southern ray, an intermediate spotted eagle ray, a butter and a barred hamlet (first time I've seen a barred hamlet at the Bridge) and many of the usual suspects. The moon jellies were still there, but not in the large numbers of last week. There is still an occasional minor stingy in the water that is only noticeable for a moment. The vis was between ten and fifteen feet. Close to the beach it was clear; further out and by the channel it was milky. I was in my 5mm wetsuit and upon my exit into the breeze from the northwest was reminded that winter is coming. After all, tomorrow is the last day of November. Get in the water (it's not getting any warmer for a while), Ham
Dive Report 29 November
