First images from West Coast Shootout #1

Here is a glimpse at the first images from the first West Coast Shootout of 2011. Check out more at 8arm.com.
 

Si-Tech Neck Tite Test Dive #1

As you may already know, I am part of a group testing the Si-Tech Neck Tite system on my Fusion Drysuit, and the system I’m using utilizes a silicone neck seal versus traditional latex. The first test dive was at 10 Mile Point, and the first thing I noticed once I donned the suit was the ring around my neck, as normally my drysuit does not have this. Once the suit was on I began to notice how soft and comfortable the silicone was around my neck. My experience with latex neck seals is that they irritate the stubble on my neck, and this silicone seal did not. I had been told by other divers using this system, that as you dive you will notice the ring, and I was also worried that it could interfere with reaching the exhaust valve on my drysuit. Neither of these problems occurred while I was diving and overall, the system worked very well. I had no hassle getting in or out of the suit, and during the dive I never really noticed the neck seal at all, which for a piece of equipment like this is a great thing. I look forward to diving this system some more to see what it has to offer.

Scott

A drift in something new

It’s been a few days since being in the water and the plan was to test my Fusion with the Si-Tech Neck Tite system, and to do some macro shooting at 10 Mile Point. My focus was to get some shots of a couple of different nudibranch species that are commonly found at 10 Mile, as well as maybe catching a glimpse of an octopus or two.  The visibility once we entered the water was low, only about 15-20 ft. (5-7 m.), and as we descended the visibility only got worse. The wall as usual was covered in life, once again confirming my opinion that this place is one of the best shore diving sites on southern Vancouver Island.  Even through the limited light and particulate, the base of the wall was clouded with juvenile rockfish along with a multitude of various shrimp species. By the end of the dive, I had not really photographed anything due to the current, and we had drifted around the corner into the small bay. To my surprise in the shallows of the small bay, we found two beautiful Shag-rug Nudibranchs and a Decorated War Bonnet. Pretty awesome for a dive that didn’t show a lot of promise till the end.

Scott 
 

  

10 Mile Point dive site - link

Sanctuaries and Biodiversity Part 2

On Sunday we headed out to UBC to check out the new Beaty Biodiversity Museum. The museum had contacted me late last year, and asked if I would be willing to provide them with some images for their exhibits. I was honoured and thrilled that they would ask me to help. The museum itself is located in the middle of UBC and is built under ground. The biological collections that make up the exhibits of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum were each started by different collectors, some as early as the 1910s. Over the decades, myriad researchers added to the collections, which has now grown to contain over 2 million specimens. The fish collection that my images are a part of is the third largest fish collection in Canada, containing over 800,000 alcohol-stored whole fishes, cleared and stained specimens that reveal internal bony structure, skeletal preparations, and X-ray images. The museum is also home to a fully intact and restored Blue Whale Skeleton, which was constructed here in Victoria. This is a truly magnificent museum and worth spending the time to see.

Scott

  

  

Sanctuaries and Biodiversity Part 1

I headed over to Vancouver this past weekend to check out the dive expo that was taking place at the Vancouver Aquarium, and to visit the new Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC.

On the Saturday, Kelli, Ken, and I went to the aquarium to check out the dive expo, but the real reason for the visit was to meet up with some old friends and possibly make some new ones. My goal was to talk with some of the photographers I knew and to meet with Dr. Chris Harvey Clark concerning his new project: the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society. Chris and Roy Mulder have created this initiative to help build awareness and to preserve areas around the coast of BC. I really believe in this project and would love to see more and more people get involved. If your interested in this great cause please click on the link below and contact Chris or Roy.

One of the coolest things at the aquarium was the 4D Planet Earth theatre experience. If you have never been to an interactive 4D film, definitely put it on your list of things to do.

Our evening after the expo was filled with good food, good drinks, and I was able to begin laying the groundwork for adventures in 2011.

Scott

All about the Squid

For our friend Mark’s last dive before he made his way back to England, we decided to head to Deep Cove. We had been hearing from other divers that they had seen Opalescent Squid there along with other areas in Saanich Inlet. These creatures are something that I’ve wanted to photograph for a while and was really hoping to see some on this particular dive.

Deep Cove is a popular dive site for many people because of the barge that is sunk in the marina.  This wreck is great for training and is a haven for rockfish, and is actually one of the best spots to photograph Brown Rockfish. These curious little fish blanket the whole area around the wreck, along with a multitude of other rockfish species, nudibranchs and invertebrates.

Mark and I had planned however, to bypass the wreck, and instead enter the water facing into Saanich Inlet since that is where the reports of the squid had been seen. Similar to our dive at Henderson Point, the visibility was quite low and there was a mild current flow down into the inlet. We swam out from the point hoping that the visibility would clear up as we ventured further out, but this was not the case at all, it was actually getting worse. However, much to my delight around the 30 ft. (10 m.) mark we came across a clutch of Opalescent Squid eggs! I only managed to capture a few images before the current picked up and dropped the visibility to almost nothing. We decided to cut the dive short and headed in realizing that we could barely see each other let alone a squid that might swim by. Hopefully I will be able to head out again soon to the Inlet to catch a glimpse of this elusive creature.

Scott

Neck Seal Test

Whites Manufacturing has asked me to take part in a diving trial to test out the new replaceable neck seal system from Si-Tech. This new system will help to make ripping a neck seal more of an inconvenience than the end to a day of diving. The system has been installed on my Fusion Dry suit and I will be blogging about my dives with this neck seal system and how it works. I have to admit that I’m pretty excited about to try out this new system soon!

Scott

Clover Point Dive

Diving at Clover Point has always been a favorite of mine as the site is home to a whole host of marine life. The area inside the bay is quite shallow and easily accessible to divers, and as a photographer the macro life is extraordinary. Diving here allows you to photograph several sculpin species, nudibranchs, sea pens, and stalked jellies.

On this particular day I was on the hunt for sculpins and gunnels, as the last few dives I had made at Clover Point had produced some great images of these diminutive fish. We all headed out from the boat launch and dropped over the small reef past the remnants of last summer’s kelp forest. The visibility was low, only about 15 ft. (5 m.), but this didn’t hinder my ability to shoot macro. About half way through the dive I came across three Scalyhead Sculpins darting in and out of the rocks. This aggressive behavior allowed me to capture some of the best images I have been able to collect of this species, even producing the image of one sinking its bright pink teeth into another! This helped me to see that you can be the best photographer you can be, but it is still helpful to have luck on your side!

Scott

Clover Point dive site information - link

Pacific Marine Imaging 2010 Year in Review

2010 was a phenomenal year for me. Here is a look back at some of my favorite images and memories from the past year.

Scott

West Coast Shootout # 1 for 2011

West Coast Shootout # 1 for 2011 has been announced for the month of January. I am excited to announce that it is going to be happening at Madrona Point in Parksville BC. Anyone interested in going on this adventure needs to check out the West Coast Shootouts page or Facebook for all the details. 2010′s West Coast Shootouts were a phenomenal especially out trip to Barkley Sound. I can't wait to see what the next twelve months will hold.
Scott

As past adventures become memories it's time for new ones!

2011 is upon us, and it's time to move upwards and onwards! 2010 was a great year for diving and for Pacific Marine Imaging, and 2011 is going to be even better! This year I will be continuing on with the monthly West Coast Shootouts and getting in the water as much as I possibly can. I exceeded many of my goals in 2010 and I hope to have just as good a year this time around. 8arm.com will be getting an overhaul, with me delving more into social media, networking, and adding more content with online underwater photography tutorials and videos. I will be increasing the image content and marine inhabitant sections to provide divers and non-divers with all the information they may need or want in order to learn and understand our marine environment. My goal has not changed: get more divers into the water more frequently, and educate non-divers on the wonders of marine life in the Pacific North West. Keep checking back for frequent updates on my upcoming trips and dive adventures.

Scott