Field Notes

April - July, 2009. Over the past four months, we have seen several new species and behaviors.  Ken found a cluster of Flabellina trilineata nudibranchs very near our entry point on the pier including egg laying activity.  Previously we have seen only occasional individuals of this beautiful nudibranch species.  We photographed an octopus preying on a clam, and a group of Polycera atra nudibranchs on a hydroid. We have begun to see more and more Polycera atra nudibranchs on our dives.  We continue to photograph Serpulid worms which abound on the pier pilings and beneath the pier.  These amazing organisms are not only beautiful but seen to have different color patterns for almost every individual.  New species seen by us include:  Dendronotus iris, a large crimson colored nudibranch, a brittle star, and a skelton shrimp.  We are also often seeing a lovely red sea cucumber, possibly a slipper sea cucumber (Psolus chitonoides).

March 09.  Monday's dive visibility was poor - about 4 feet with a lot of particulate matter in the water. On Tuesday, visibility improved to about 10 feet.  On both days, the water was very cold, from 45 to 48 degrees, the coldest we have ever experienced in Morro Bay. We are sighting more and more Janolus nudibranchs on our dives.  Also witnessed a blenny capturing and swallowing a sand dab. (See Ken's Dive Log)

--Special thanks for some of those who have assisted us in identifying our underwater critters, including Lisa Needles of Cal Poly, Dave Behrens, author of Pacific Coast Nudibranchs, and Norm Boudreau, former biology teacher at Morro Bay High School.  And a special thanks to Coleen Bondy, who helped us put this web site together, and always answered our calls when problems arose.

 Feb. 09.  Observed a pair of mating Janolus  barbarensis, and three Polycera hedgpethi (this was  only our  second sighting of this nudibranch).

 Jan. 09.  Sighted & photographed a new (to us)  nudibranch: Aegires albopunctatus.  This was the 19th  different species of nudibranch we have recorded  under the pier.  Photographed an unusual eel-like fish: a High  Cockscomb (Anoplarchus purpurescens).  Our first and only sighting of this fish.

 --Nudibranch life seems to be changing, with Hermissendas just as plentiful, but with sightings of several new  species: Acanthodoris rhodoceras, Polycera hedgpethi, and Aegires albopunctatus. Does this mean they have  suddenly appeared, or we just didn't see them before. The beautiful Janolus barbarensis is seen more often  now as well.

 Sept.08.  We were shocked (horrified) to learn a large group of divers had undertaken a 'clean-up' under the T- Pier. This was done evidently with the approval of several agencies. This completely needless and unnecessary  act was done (we think) in ignorance of the special and unique habitat that exists under the pier. The Monterey  Bay Aquarium has coincidently created a special exhibit devoted to the pier/junk habitat and marine creatures  that thrive there, just as they do under the Morro Bay T-Pier.

 July 08.  We have begun to see a few more spotted triopha  (Triopha maculata), mostly juveniles.  These  nudibranchs  were once abundant, with large adults  often seen in the eel grass beds, but then suddenly  disappeared about  two years ago.  Triophas are fascinating animals, often large (for nudibranchs) in a wide  variety of color variations, from deep chocolate brown to pale orange, with raised white spots in larger  individuals.

 May 08.  We identified & photographed four different  Dirona picta nudibranchs.  In our previous 20 years  diving under the pier, we had only spotted one picta.  We also photographed a beautiful Dirona abolineata,  the  first one we had seen here.  While swimming beneath the pier at the end of a dive, Gary was hooked by a  fisherman.  After some effort, he was able to pull and release the hook from his wetsuit while the fisherman,  who thought he had a 'big one' (he did!) tried to pulled him in.  Now we always carry a sharp pair of scissors  attached to our BC's, where we can quickly get them if needed.

 April 08.  We often see octopus under the pier, hiding in bottles, cans, pipes, & clam shells. These intelligent,  often interactive creatures are wonderful photography subjects and can often be seen free-swimming at night in  search of prey.  We noticed that large chunks of red bryozoan  have dislodged and fallen from the pier pilings.  Photographed a large colony of Goose-Necked Barnacles on  one of the pier pilings.  We have not seen this  species before or since.

--When we first began diving here (early 1980's), most pilings were covered with anemones.  Near the pile  bottom, Metridium senile anemones abounded, and up higher, colorful congregating anemones held sway. Over  the years life on the pilings has changed.  Anemones have largely been replaced by red bryozoans, except in the  shallow end of the pier, where large Metridium anemones still abound. We have no idea why red bryozoans has  taken over most of the piling habitat or if this is just a normal cycle in the ocean.  We often see nudibranchs on  the red bryozoans, which makes an excellent backdrop for photography.--

 Jan. 07.  We often see a small but beautiful nudibranch, Flabellina trilineata, one of which adorns our home  page.  These nudibranchs difficult to spot & photograph, but well worth the effort.  Our first sighting of the  cryptic Barred Pipefish (Syngnathus auliscus).  Thin as a wire, these fish often hang out in the eel grass beds that  border the pier on both sides.

--We would be remiss in our duties if we failed to mention the ubiquitous but beautiful nudibranch, Hermissenda  crassicornis.  In the past you always had a good chance of spotting this creature, now you can't miss them. There  are literally thousands of Hermissendas under and around the pier.  We regularly see a few distinct color  variations  in the Hermissenda's cerata and it is common to see mating and egg-laying activity.--

 This page will continue to grow as long as we are able to dive and record life under the Morro Bay T-Pier.