Welcome to the Hotel California

Hello,

I was traveling to California last week, attending a business show and I decided to extend my stay for a long weekend.

I took this opportunity to book a 2 days liveaboard on the "Great Escape" which is usually harbored in San Pedro, CA.

The plan for the weekend was to spend 2 days on San Clemente and Catalina islands.

At the last minute we changed the plans and we dove on Santa Barbara island and reefs along Palos Verde.

First time diving in California, it's been a great experience even if I found the conditions a bit difficult for an UW photographer.

It cloudy and rainy on SB Island, it was cold (59°f in Santa Barbara, and 53°f in Palos Verde), a lot of swell and current... but worst, we have had a very bad visibility near Los Angeles (green, very green and dark).

Anyway, I enjoyed my dives since I was diving for the first time with Sea Lions, and I discovered the magic of the Kelp !!!

Few shots taken that WE.

1. The Great Escape in San Pedro Harbor, CA.

2. A curious Sea Lion

3. Abundant sea life

4. A poor lonesome bat star

5. Brittlestars are everywhere

6. More bat stars and purple sea urchins

7. A sea lion modeling... she forgot to light on the strobe !!!

8 As sea lion in the Kelp

9. More kelp

Damien

10. A sea lion in milky water

11. Some macro shots

12. Giant green anemone near Los Angeles

That's all !!!

Welcome to CA diving. You chose a good boat to be on.

You got some good shots.

Glad you enjoyed the kelp.

Too bad you did not get the sun shinning down through it!

Awesome, Damien! Makes me think about actually diving in my own backyard! (but 53F? Brrr!)

Cheers,

Phil

Hi Phil,

A lot of fun diving in your backyard. Your UW pets are funny pets, colorful playground, awesome UW jungle, but you are right... it might be very cold.

Cheers,

Damien

Number 8 and 12 could be a book cover. amazing!!!