Hey, it's me, Mike. I can't wait for my next, 'Another Walk with Mike' episode, but Olympus has not been able to provide me with a working camera. I just sent the inoperable one off again. But even without video, I can still tell you what I'm seeing in words. Here goes.
I sometimes take my kayak, at other times I just start snorkeling from the shore. When I do so, I start by going to the outer edge of the first sandbar where the breaking waves won't crash on me. I assemble my snorkeling gear there, and once I'm ready, I lay out and begin.
Lately, there is sometimes an algea/grass section there, but only very little. (A lot of grass in Panama City) It actually serves to attract fish. I see a lot of minnow type fish close in here. They use the grass to hide around. I also see a lot of larger fish here. I've seen a number of Mackerel, Spanish and King. Some of the king have been outright huge.
Today I saw a Ling/Lemon fish/Cobia in between sandbars in about 12 feet total depth, swimming in 5 feet. The fish was quite large and to be frank, quite intimidating to be in the water with. And yes, I saw another Nurse shark today. The life guards later told me they have been seeing it surface to where its fin protrudes from the water. When I saw it, like many that I see, its shadow became apparent first. This shadowy body was on the bottom. This particular one may have been 7 feet, and fairly thick.
When I saw it, it must have also saw me and it begin to slowly move off. I followed lightly but as my speed increased, so did its speed, and then moreso. Because of this, I decided it indeed did not want me around, thus I left it alone.
The nurse sharks I've been seeing lately have been swimming, whereas this one, like the ones I was use to previously, was on the bottom. So I guess its just when I cross their paths, sometimes resting, sometimes not, often in pairs.
I also see a lot of dead crab shell remains on the bottom. I know crab comprises a portion of nurse shark meals. I know plenty other fish feed on crab also, which is why as I move over the crawling creatures they take no time in covering their bodies with sand to completely concealed themselves.
I am also finding people things, like trash, which when I have my kayak along, I carry back to a trash can on shore. But not all the people things I find are trash
.
I also find logs and wonder if they were part of a wooden boat or if it is timber from a piling. I find swim masks, and since mine is being held together with mono fishing line, I always hope it will fit well. This mask may. I washed it out and might try it tomorrow.
I find shadows, too. Scary shadows. The waves have a way of transporting light down to play tricks on you, especially if your eyes have recently seen a shark. Even the grass that comes right before your face, when you've been focused 15-20 feet down, appears to be a big thing that is passing down deeper. You'd have to experience it yourself to know; but fear is eminent.
It may be a few more weeks before I am able to get any footage of this great stuff. I've seen a few really interesting fish, too, that I don't know what the heck it is. It's just great being out there. Sometimes I almost shout out, 'I can't believe I am here'. The water can be so clear and its inhabitants so interesting, that I can feel like nothing else exists. Nothing but what I am experiencing.
I had a friend here this past weekend who would not come out there with me because of the number of nurse sharks I'm seeing. And he is a real adventurous person. Oh well, for now, I do this alone. It sure is fun though.
Well, hopefully sooner than later I'll be shooting more video, but until then, I'll add anything I think someone might find interesting. Later
I sometimes take my kayak, at other times I just start snorkeling from the shore. When I do so, I start by going to the outer edge of the first sandbar where the breaking waves won't crash on me. I assemble my snorkeling gear there, and once I'm ready, I lay out and begin.
Lately, there is sometimes an algea/grass section there, but only very little. (A lot of grass in Panama City) It actually serves to attract fish. I see a lot of minnow type fish close in here. They use the grass to hide around. I also see a lot of larger fish here. I've seen a number of Mackerel, Spanish and King. Some of the king have been outright huge.
Today I saw a Ling/Lemon fish/Cobia in between sandbars in about 12 feet total depth, swimming in 5 feet. The fish was quite large and to be frank, quite intimidating to be in the water with. And yes, I saw another Nurse shark today. The life guards later told me they have been seeing it surface to where its fin protrudes from the water. When I saw it, like many that I see, its shadow became apparent first. This shadowy body was on the bottom. This particular one may have been 7 feet, and fairly thick.
When I saw it, it must have also saw me and it begin to slowly move off. I followed lightly but as my speed increased, so did its speed, and then moreso. Because of this, I decided it indeed did not want me around, thus I left it alone.
The nurse sharks I've been seeing lately have been swimming, whereas this one, like the ones I was use to previously, was on the bottom. So I guess its just when I cross their paths, sometimes resting, sometimes not, often in pairs.
I also see a lot of dead crab shell remains on the bottom. I know crab comprises a portion of nurse shark meals. I know plenty other fish feed on crab also, which is why as I move over the crawling creatures they take no time in covering their bodies with sand to completely concealed themselves.
I am also finding people things, like trash, which when I have my kayak along, I carry back to a trash can on shore. But not all the people things I find are trash
.I also find logs and wonder if they were part of a wooden boat or if it is timber from a piling. I find swim masks, and since mine is being held together with mono fishing line, I always hope it will fit well. This mask may. I washed it out and might try it tomorrow.
I find shadows, too. Scary shadows. The waves have a way of transporting light down to play tricks on you, especially if your eyes have recently seen a shark. Even the grass that comes right before your face, when you've been focused 15-20 feet down, appears to be a big thing that is passing down deeper. You'd have to experience it yourself to know; but fear is eminent.
It may be a few more weeks before I am able to get any footage of this great stuff. I've seen a few really interesting fish, too, that I don't know what the heck it is. It's just great being out there. Sometimes I almost shout out, 'I can't believe I am here'. The water can be so clear and its inhabitants so interesting, that I can feel like nothing else exists. Nothing but what I am experiencing.
I had a friend here this past weekend who would not come out there with me because of the number of nurse sharks I'm seeing. And he is a real adventurous person. Oh well, for now, I do this alone. It sure is fun though.
Well, hopefully sooner than later I'll be shooting more video, but until then, I'll add anything I think someone might find interesting. Later
Another friend says they look good on me. I think he secretly enjoys the fact that I look like a girly man when I wear them. But they are so crisp and polarized superbly. I try to remember to remove them when a hot looking lady comes by.
Just joking btw.
I didn't want to work over the summer largely so I could have my kiddies with me free and clear of obligation. But now school is beginning so...