Time to log another dive

Can it get any better than this? Just got in from a night dive; thought it would be a real bright night with the full moon but the moon rise was after we came out. When you turn off the lights and quickly shake your hands, the plankton will glow and appears to be like stars under the water with you. The high points: sorry cannot spell it but “neuter-bracks”! Going around the corner of the wreck and on the ledge right next to you is another “snake like” creature. It was around 7’ long, a couple inches thick, white with reddish-brown semi-stripes, and then the mouth! It had fingers (3 or 4) at its mouth, pulling stuff in. It had an alien look; maybe from great depths. It was an eye opener for sure. Backed up some and then ran into 4 or 5 more! More stone fish waving their tongues, spiny lobsters with glowing eyes inside the wreck, assorted other fish and then the best part of this dive. We were going over some sand and noticed some sand getting stirred up by something. Went over and hovered over it trying to determine what was kicking up the sand. The sand continued to fly and then suddenly there is was. A sting ray at least 4’ in diameter and tail about the same length. He would shake and pound himself into the sand, shoveling about 4” to 6” deep. His eyes were enormous! He did not like us watching him and moved three times, pounding back into the sand each time. He finally had all he wanted of us, got up and flew off into the deeper water. Another hour underwater going into the dive log book!

Scott is mailing me a new camera--pictures again soon!

I Feel Guilty!

Back in Tulsa, my wife is having to fight with 4 foot tall weeds

Keep MY horses and dogs taken care of

and deal with MY personal business.

here I am….”working” a 12 hour graveyard shift almost 7,000 miles away. (Drive around, get out, walk around shaking some doors; getting in a lot walking). Did you look at the moon tonight? Here close to the equator it sure is big and bright, almost makes you think you might need some sun screen. But of course the star will not be outdone, bright as ever. There is something about a palm tree swaying around that is certainly relaxing. The tide was low allowing a long walk out on the beach to get a good look at the night and the wave splashing. Well, lunch break is over, time to get out into the night again, I’ll try and feel guilty again later J

Hold your breath and follow along

Expensive Dive!

I had another great dive Friday night. Went out on the north point; going to stay shallow so I thought this would be a great dive to take my fairly new camera and see how it did at night. It is rated to 30’ or maybe 32’ (Canon D10), my dive computer listed my max depth at 27’ but the seal must have blown and it flooded! Hope to save the 8 GB SD but time will tell. Salt water and electronic stuff do not survive together!

BUT the dive was great! My dive buddy had to fight off a needle fish that kept coming at his face when we first went in. I saw a large lion fish (wow!), a huge red star fish, a giant puffer fish, a small almost clear octopus, and a critter I believe was a variety of cucumber. It was red, long and curled around like a snake. It moved slowly—you could see its eyes and under the belly and sides were thousands of small clear tentacles pushing it along. Rather spooky looking. Did not see the stone fish as it was hiding up in a large hole but it had its tongue out waving the lure to catch a fish. The tongue appeared to be a yard long! Can you identify which ones could kill you and which ones would just make a real bad night? Sorry you are not here to enjoy the thrill of life here in the Central Pacific with me. Did I mention that I am getting paid to be here, given a place to live and all the meals free? SWEET J

Night Dives

Trying to catch up, Thursday went on a dive at dusk, which turned to night about half way through the dive. Went to Coral Sands Beach; straight out into the Lagoon, snorkeling out then dropping down. Continued out for 25 minutes, turn 90 degrees for five minutes in then headed back. A shallow dive, no idea how far out into the Lagoon (long ways) and ended up with a 70 minute dive.

There is always something to see. Wednesday there was only portion of the moon shinning and then it got covered by clouds, so it was really a dark night. We missed the ship (it should have been on the 270 degree bearing). As always, I still had a good time. Ending the dive and almost to the exit location saw something partly under a rock. We must have spooked it as it came slithering out—a lot longer than I thought it should be. It was a banded sea snake; bad news if you get bit by one. Wish I had my camera but it will only go down to 30’.

Found a coconut crab, (while on patrol) but they are hard to take a picture of by yourself, those pinchers bust open coconuts, not going to let it get me. The picture has my flashlight in the background for reference. The largest of these crabs is around 8 pounds; this one should be around 5.

night dives

night dives

Another Day in Semi-Retirement

Working 12 hour shifts (graveyard) last night and tonight but still had time to put in another shallow dive (60 minutes) before coming to work. Saw a shark, a big puffer, some either needle fish or cornets (same family) and of course hundreds of other smaller fish, corals and clams and shells. I have to sit on the desk tonight (not my favorite place to be) BUT planning on getting out in some of the pools at low tide tomorrow. It’s time for some spear fishing! Hope all the guys leaving TPD this year are enjoying their “retirement” as much as I have so far!

A few cudas passing by

Who has right of way?

What can I say; some of the guys out here just don’t understand. First I am going along; taking a few pictures and here comes a turtle. Great, he is coming in close to get his picture taken. Excuse me, as he bumps into me and then swims past. Go on a night dive a few hours later; a “file” fish or “needle” fish around 4’ long appears. Maybe he did not like the light shining on him, he circles around, darts back in and takes a nip at another diver. I keep an eye on him as he disappears into the darkness then come back around behind us. The fish starts to take a nip at the dive buddy next to me, who uses his flashlight to bump the fish in the nose. We were doing a wreck dive on that night dive; saw one of the biggest puffer fish that I’ve ever seen. May have “encouraged” him to move out of his hiding place in the ship but made sure to stay back far enough to discourage another close encounter, since they are known to take bites out of divers and have rather nasty teeth. Saw another large fish, known to have a nasty disposition, don’t recall what it is called but reminded me of an over grown parrot fish. Night dives are the best, never pass up a chance to go on one. Saw a nice spotted eel and lots of small shells (still moving around). The clams are impressive with their size and color. Took a picture of one but it was not as brightly colored as some I’ve seen previously. Not bad for a day off, get to log three dives and have almost two hours of underwater time. I’m planning on snorkeling some of the pools ocean side at low tide, (made from both Japanese and American digging for material to expand the island—check the history and maps). Just checking them out now and spear fishing to follow. Did I mention that the pools are full of lobster and fish for the taking? More to follow J

Here he comes--get out of the way; clam & ?

Flying Fish too!

What a great day! We went through the pass, out of the lagoon and into the ocean for a couple of dives. The first dive went to 81’ for 60 minutes. The visibility was better and we were right on the edge where you can see into the endless deep blue water. The site was called “Fish Bowl”, it was filled with larger fish with numerous varieties of fish and corals. The current would flow moving you back and forth for a great ride. We went through the “chimney”, a large hole rising about 30’ which was impressive. As we were headed to the boat a big turtle went past. When we started to move the boat to the next location, one of the anchors was hung too tight to pull up. I grabbed my mask for the deepest free dive I’ve made. It was only about 30’ deep but was still a challenge to me. On my first trip, got it cleared and came up. The current pushed the boat and re-hung the anchor. Had to hold my breath and go again. Cleared it and got the anchor pulled up before it hung up again.

Moving to the next location and large splash was seen out in the ocean; we started that way to see if any whale might come up (none did L) That is when the flying fish started popping up everywhere. The boat was rocking too much to ever get a photo but they are fun to watch and can travel some distance.

The next dive (58 min. @24’) was again right next to the edge for the drop off and filled with larger fish. Stayed shallow enough to take my camera and hopefully got some good pictures. Saw one of the large, dark colored parrot fish (they have good front teeth) and went in close for some pictures. I guess he was camera shy or maybe just did not like me but had a bad temper anyway. So he went into the attack mode and came after me. I was swimming backwards still trying to get pictures of him. I had to bump him with my camera at one point. After he had herded me back far enough he went back to chomping on the coral. Had a couple of turtles come swim by (one was under some coral and came out when he noticed me. As we were headed back to the boat a small shark (4’) came by.

Great dives—what I came here for! Just does not get much better than this. J

This guy wanted to kick my butt!

Happy Mother's Day

Been busy here, working lots of hours but still try and get in the ocean at least every other day. Went on a boat dive today; one of the dives was on a "enemy" plane we blew up at the start of the invasion. Lots of WWII history here. Another dive in the morning, going out of the lagoon and into the ocean. will have some new pictures soon; going to try and download a few I took the other day.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

I finished my first graveyard shift in a LONG time this morning at 0530 hours. The 12 hour shifts will take some time to get use to but the nights are impressive here. Did not get to see a real big coconut crab last night but did see 3 smaller ones. Hope to post a picture of one soon (forgot my camera last night). The Hermit Crabs are so thick you have to be careful where you walk, whenever you are close to the water. They find the best looking shells too! Went on another B-boat trip to Bigej Island; picked up a few shells and some beach glass. One of the guys found a piece of real thick blue-green glass; he said that it was from one of the old Japanese glass floats! While I was out snorkeling a couple of my shells had to be tossed out—more Hermit Crabs! Not used to sleeping during the day yet. Went to the other end of the island and did some more snorkeling before I have to go in and “work”. Sure is nice to get on the bike, have a nice ride, great weather, play in the ocean and still have lots of time for a 12 hour shift. “just an island boy” J

Tulsa Police Officers are everywhere in the world

Surf

how about some dolphin--well equiped bike trailer for fishing.