Post-Storm Diving

Record setting swells and cold fronts kept me out of the water for a week... then we returned for a quick splash at our favorite standby at Windmill Reef. The enchanting "city slicker" Penguins were there as usual to greet us as we entered the site! Despite some decent surge, we enjoyed a fabulous dive in mediocre visibility but loaded with fun.... a visual feast underwater as usual.

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It was like a nursery for marine life at Windmill this weekend! Not only lots of "little life" but numerous juvenile fish... who swim too fast for my shutter. (: The rough seas the last few weeks had the reef covered in sand. Reminded me of snow! A gentle reminder of my PNW diving - beautiful, large anemones. I believe this is a False Plum anemone.
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The charming tentacles of the Golden sea cucumbers! Their warm, orange-hued fuzz covered large areas of the reef edge. This dive I discovered some unknown cracks I hadn't explored before. Some fun photo ops! A different view
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Looking upward through the crack, decorated with feather stars, tunicates, urchins and crinoids. These colorful Cape urchins were only about the size of a silver dollar! A plentiful reef which makes for a lovely dive.
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These precious Cape urchins use dead shells as "sunshades". Photos of this in my previous gallery. Too cute! A beautiful pink anemone partially buried in the sand. An interesting reef edge structure.
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What I believe is Stephens' Codium (type of green algae) with golden sea cucumbers in the back drop. My favorite Brittle Stars surrounded by golden sea cucumbers. Cape urchins and 'juvenile' anemones.
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An appropriate perch 'owned' by our feathered friend at the False Bay Yacht Club, as we cruised Simons Town after the dive.

Windmill Reef, South Africa
Sept. 2005



Last updated: 9/7/05