August 27, 2006
Vermilion (Sebastes miniatus), kelp (S. atrovirens), and copper
(S. caurinus) rockfish just kind of hanging out. Rockfish spend a lot of
time doing this, usually around some place that has shelter from predators. This
aggregation is right above a deep, but narrow recess in the shale substrate.
It's plenty big enough for any of these fish, but still far too small for the
likes of the resident harbor seals.
"Shale Island", Monterey Bay, California
August 27, 2006
A canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) rises from the depths into a school
of its blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) cousins. The first time I dove
the pinnacle I was impressed by the density of encrusting life. It's likely the
result of the stiff currents here. On the dive on which this shot was taken, the
current went from light to outrageously strong and back in about an hour.
"Orca Pinnacle", Big Sur, California
August 27, 2006
