082909 Roatan Final Pics

Roatan 082909 Wrap

An amazing week of diving. Met and dove with some wonderful people. Here are some images that are a taste of the 1700+ images. Credit for some of these goes to Ron Hyatt. Actually, the best ones you can bet were from Ron. A great diver and an accomplished photographer. It was a pleasure, Ron. Thanks for the pics!

Roatan 082809 Valley of the Kings

It was another amazing day of diving. Was in the water at 5:20am for a morning dip. A nice dive to start the day. The critters were out and it was a great way to start our last day. The boat left for the Valley of the Kings. Another crack in the reef wall about 90 feet at the exit. Another head first dive straight into the reef floor at 35 feet. A hard right and then the decent into the crevass that opened up at 60 feet but dropped to 90. I baled out at 78 feet to conserve my air for the remainder of the dive. The most amazing event was a 'herd' of squid. After the octopus last night, I was not sure I could top that. But a herd, band, bundle... of squid floated right in front of us. Probably two dozen little green critters with big eyes, float by. They were as curious as we were. The boat drop was to the Prince Albert where I connected with a fellow to dive the airplane wreck and then look for a cool fish he had seen the day before. Paydirt! Great dive... then back to camp to dry out gear and pack up for the trip home in the AM.

082709 Roatan Dolphins and Octopus

The day started with a 5AM dive. Three of us went out to see all kinds of fish looking for breakfast. We ran across a potential dinner in a very large lobster. We passed by quietly. Then to Pirates Point for the morning dive. A largely dead coral bed. It reminded me of a forest that was coming back from a forest fire. Only the coral bed suffered because of an earthquake. Just the same it is coming back. We saw another seahorse, trumpet fish and scorpion fish. I skipped the drop off dive to go for the dolphin dive. With tanks and scuba gear we went to 60 feet to interact with the dolphins. They reminded me of our greyhounds. Fast sleek and just wanting to run and have fun. Amazing creatures. The 'institute' has 23 dolphins with the recent addition of two new babies. Returning to 'camp' we pulled on the tanks and went for a night dive before dinner. The ocean floor lights up at night and lots of creatures come out for dinner. Lots of cucumbers seem to be oozing from the walls. The highlight was the octopus we ran across. Amazing colors and defenses it showed as we stopped to look and cpater the images.

Roatan 082609 Cracks and Horses

Had a great day of diving. Managed an early morning snorkel with a cool encounter with a lobster worthy of a feast. Great schools of fish, undisturbed by the usual clatter and gurgle of divers. A great way to start the day. Then to the boat and to a great dive site called, Calvin's Crack. Not sure who Calvin is/was but he's got a great crack named after him. A sweet headfirst entry at about 30 feet. Straight down to 45 feet then in to the deep to 90 feet. Amazing! Reminded me of the canyoneering we did in Utah, only deep under water. The afternoon dive was to a site called Minagerhea's Reef. A beautiful field of coral and sand to the reef wall. Over the wall to 55ft and then enjoy the reef-life. Angel fish, scorpion fish and some amazing seahorses. Managed to capture some images. Mystical, peaceful little creatures in a hostile, unforgiving environment.

Roatan 082509 Mary's Place

An amazing dive today in the famous Roatan dive known as Mary's Place. A deep 30 foot crack in the coral reef. Entry is at approximately 65 feet. Into the crack and for 50 yards, then left into a rather tight crack for 20 yards to the opening. Great dive and amazing coral along the way. Newman's Wall dropping off the boat and swimming in. Saw a well hidden Scorpion fish seen in the pictures here. Also, look close and you'll see the little brown seahorse.

Roatan 082509 Forty Foot Point

Had a nice dive to the reef wall. All the diving here is generally on a wall of coral. So many different sizes, shapes, colors it is hard to describe. Ran across some more huge crabs. They were just hanging out on the wall watching us go by.