We had the best underwater visibility we have ever had in the 20 years plus of diving under the Morro Bay T-Pier. It was so amazing to see the underwater topography, that we almost forgot to take pictures, We could clearly see the boat bottoms at the end of the pier from some 30 feet under. On the way out to the end of the pier, I was observing growth on a piling, when I spotted an unusual critter on the back of a large sea cucumber. After getting back an I.D. from Gary McDonald, it turned out to be the nudibranch Pluerobranchaea californica, the last image on the right, the first we had ever seen of this species in Morro Bay.

Two great dives in good underwater visibility. The incoming currents on both dives were very slow, allowing us to go in more than the usual one hour before peak high tide. We saw lots and lots of the nudibranch Onchidoris bilamellata on the outer edge of the pier with egg clusters everywhere. The population explosion of this new (for us) nudibranch is remarkable. I have been paying more attention to the pier pilings, especially up off the bottom about mid-way on the piling and have been rewarded with some nice images of the critters who live there.

Two amazing dives where we saw more Janolus barbarensis nudibranchs than we have ever seen before in the collective 20 years of diving in Morro Bay. We were in heaven photographing this profusion of (IMHO) the world's most beautiful nudibranch. we dove both the South and North T-Piers. Under both piers these nudibranchs were everywhere, on the pier pilings, on the sand bottom
beneath the piers, and one even on the claw of a large crab. Their food source must have been abundant. All the individuals that I saw were quite large. Looking forward to seeing if they are still there when we do our November dives.

I dove the first day by myself, the was joined by Ken, Pam & Sarah for the second day's dive. Both days the visibility was a bit less than average, with lots of sediment. Underwater we could see from 4 to 5 feet, good enought for photography of small critters. Both dives felt very cold. One of my highlights was the color variant of a hermissenda crassicornis seen left. It was in the flutes of red bryozoan on a pier piling. There were several Janolus fuscus as we commonly see now. Also a polycera atra was posing for me nicely.

We saw an incredible sight: several Janolus fuscus nudibranchs feeding on the pier pilings on a bryozoan. Some were laying eggs. We only saw this beautiful nudibranch for the first time in last year, then only a single sighting. Now we are seeing them everywhere.

As surprising as the new found abundance of Janolus fuscus is the disappearance of the nudibranch Triopha catalinae. Until recently we would see dozens of this striking nudibranch on every dive. They had become so common that we stopped taking pictures of them. Now in the past two months including six dives under the pier, we have not spotted a single individual.

Two nice days of Morro Bay diving. Ken joined me for the Thrusday dive, then I stayed on for another day. My highlight was photographing a new (for us) nudibranch species: Cadlina modesta. I was able to find a pair of Trapania velox nudibranchs where I had seen one individual on a previous dive. These nudibranchs were on a gray sponge at the base of the nearshore concrete piling where we begin our dives. These are fairly rare nudibranchs. We'll be looking for them again on our March dives.

Two great dives to start of the new year. The visability on Jan. 6th was only 3 to 4 feet, but improved on the second day to about 8 feet. I was able to photograph a Navanex inermis on the first day's dive, my first sighting of this species ever in Morro Bay. This beautiful creature feeds mostly on nudibranchs. On day two there were many species of nudibranchs to photograph, including a rare Trapania velox.

Between dives, Ken & I visited the elephant seals near San Simeon. The bulls were often engaged in fighting or mating. Many pups were already born. The beach was a cacophony of elephant seal cries, grunts and the powerful roars from bulls guarding the females.

We did two dives December 7 & 8 in some of the clearest water ever. Visability was about 20 feet on the first day, and about 15 feet on day two.

Numerous nudibranch sightings, including for me my first intentional Acanthodoris rhodoceras sighting. We are seeing more large Triopha maculata, which have been missing for the last two years.

I photographed (right) what appears to be a mantis shrimp. I need to get a positive ID on this critter.

Two great days of diving. Unfortunately, my camera battery died on the first day, but I was able to correct the problem and had a great second day of diving & photography. The water was exceptionally clean, visability to 25 feet. Saw loads of Catalinae triopha nudibranchs, more than we've ever seen before. Also several Janolus barbarensis in the folds of bryozoan patches. The bryozoan makes beautiful backgrounds for nudibranchs. Also saw and photographed a Polycera hedgpethi, a fairly rare nudibranch for us to spy.

Two very good dives in water that was fairly dark & dirty. Lots of species (I photographed 9 different species of nudibranchs) including a juvenile Triopha maculata. We often see juveniles, but no large adults. Ken & I had a great hike between dives on the Point Bichon Trail. The San Marcos hotel where we always stay hung some of our images up in their reception/office area. We also got permission from the owner of the Great American Fish Co. to use his pier to dive the South Pier on a future dive.