San Miguel Island images

I have posted a new gallery shot this weekend at San Miguel Island CA.

http://homepage.mac.com/daveburroughs/Phot...otoAlbum19.html

Wonderful! Especially the mooshead-warbonnet. I don't think I've ever seen one before.

The one you labeled Red Scorpion fish look like a Cabezon to me.

I see that I'll have to find a way to keep you away from Wharf II at next year's California Beach Dive Photo Competition.

My bad. It is a cabezon. It was late and I was tired from the trip. I do hope to make the beach photo contest next year.

Dave,

I love your shots.

I have always noticed that your shots have a LOT more red in them then most others. Is this because of the organisms there, or is it something you do in your post-processing?

Cheers

James Wiseman

The very abundant macro life of Ca has a lot of reds in it. Most of these were done on my laptop on the boat which may affect how they look. I set my WB at cloudy -3 and then adjust it to look when I convert from raw in PS. Sometimes I go with shade for the WB at that step which is a warmer WB. Or maybe I'm developing verrrrry early cataracts and this is the way they look good to me.

I will keep an eye on the red. Thanks.

I'm not saying that you put it TOO much red, as you know what you saw. I am just amazed and impressed at the amount of red - which you don't see in the "typical" uw photo.

As Craig would say - time to look at UW color differently.

I think the rich reds are stunning!

Cheers

James

I hate to disagree with herbko, but I think that's a Buffalo or a Great sculpin. Dave, was that thing about 8 or 9" long?

Look familiar?:

Edit: Why did I even try to disagree. Herb of course is right. I just need to look closer next time.

Buffalo Sculpin

James, didn't take the red comment as a criticism. Though critiques are always welcome. It occurs to me that all these shots were taken from the backside of San Miguel. There is a lot of red brown giant algae (kelp ) there and were a number of animals that are normally other colors that were that shade of red brown. The cabezon and kelp fish were two of these. I saw some others including some lingcod.

Dave,

Loved your pictures. I have never been to San Miguel but would like to do so soon. Does it differ greatly from the southern islands? I remember someone saying it was much like British Columbia.

Thanks,

John

San Miguel Island to costal Alaska are suppose to be the same eco system. Can't remember the fancy name for it. The species gradually change. Wolf Eels are very rare at San Miguel; and we don't get the giant Octopus. The large Metridiums are in only a few locations at San Miguel Island. The water is a little warmer (get up to mid 50s in September). Photographers wear dry suits in any part of this range.