Jim Obester Photography

Another big GPO clinging to the rocks at the end of the South Wall ~70'. Assuming it's a female given there is a den with eggs ~20' away. Just took a few shots not to annoy her too much. From the end of the South Wall, I followed a slight "canyon" that gently rises to ~40' towards the entry point. Must have seen at least a dozen wolf eels. Big males, mating pairs and a couple juveniles. Nice thermocline this time as I made my way back at ~20' to start off-gassing. Dive computer was reading 58 degrees during my safety stop at 15'. Just 10 degrees feels nice and warm after spending almost an hour in the deep, dark waters of Sund Rock Marine Preserve

While it was a little sad starting my dive seeing a dying female Giant Pacific Octopus, I did see 2 juvenile octopuses just a few moments later. Sund Rock Marine Preserve seems to be doing well with the abundance of juvenile GPOs, Wolf Eels, rockfish and starfish.

First dive back at Sund Rock Marine Preserve in over a year. Summer diving in Hood Canal doesn't get much better than this. Fairly clear surface to 30' then very clear. At least 50' near the south wall. Was a circle of life dive starting with this big female near end of life clinging to the rocks above her den, right down from the south entry point ~50' deep. One of the other divers had been watching her care for her eggs the past several months. Hard to believe these incredible invertebrates only live 3-5 years. The females spend 6-7 months fanning her single brood of eggs then dies by the time they hatch.

Fireball during Perseid meteor shower Crater Lake National Park

Spent an extra night shooting astrophotography of the Perseid meteor shower over Crater Lake. While there was a bit more clouds and slower action, I did capture a fireball that lit the entire sky. Also included a fellow photographer crouched by her camera capturing this meteor. Moonless night, didn't see her there till I worked my pictures.

First dive with new drysuit @ Sand Harbor state park, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.