A different site - Pearse's Casing

Many of the dive sites we visit have been visited for a long time. This particular one is called "Pearse's Casing" after amazing invertebrate biologist John Pearse, who spent early years working here. He and his partner Vicki were a powerhouse of science and knowledge for a generation of scientist (or 2!) and were also among the most lovely people. The casing is nothing to write home about, it collapsed a few years ago, but the site remains very pretty and always makes me think of John and Vicki.

The spot is much lighter than the other research site and the ice runs deep down the slope. This is an area that has lots of anchor ice that will pull the sponges out of the seafloor - often down to more than 40ft or 15 or so meters.

We are very early in the season, so the ice is incredibly blue. As the season progresses into spring the algae will start grow and turn the light more of a greenish color. Only our lights really make the colors pop on the crazy life forms.

Here is an example of some of that colorful life. This is a Perknaster seastar eating a sponge. This species is a predator of sponges (among other things). They are also much more slimy than the other species that are common in the sound.

The diversity is pretty amazing at this site as well. This hydroid always reminds me of hair as it is incredibly fine and stark white in contrast to many of the other species present.

And then there is the green sponge! Not many species end up with such a luxurious green color. This one also looks very plain until we shine light on the subjects.

While the photos may make it seem light, and it is compared to the other sites, most of our dives are spent in near darkness with only the shadows of our dive buddies keeping us company in the crystal clear water of winters end.