It always amazes how on a perfect night how calming diving is. It takes on an almost spiritual quality when it all goes right especially as you go deeper. Tonight was one of those nights.
The Zookeeper, Jester, the Kingmaker and I had all headed over to Seal Reef . The weather forecast had been for rain and strong winds. We hadn't objected to the wind - wind keeps the midgies at bay - but the rain wasn't that appealling. However, the forecast had hinted at a possible window between 6pm and 8pm right when our activity at the site would be at it's peak and we hung onto this hope.
On site, it was dry, calm and the loch (as it sometimes does) lay still like a millpond. We kitted up and headed down. The visibility was excellent around 7-9m.
As we bottomed out at 40m I felt the deep peace, before turning and heading back up
Myself and the Zookeeper led us down to the bottom of the 2nd reef at 40m before turning and heading up into the crater to the old rope and the magnificent firework anemone that sits there. Then came the nudibranchs, Flabellinas, Limacia clavigera and sea lemons and in the shallows a beautiful corkwing wrasse hung around, nervously protecting its eggs.
We surfaced all agreeing that it was one of, if not the best dive of the year in Scotland. We dekitted and drove home. Then the rain started. We all won at life, which was funny as much of our predive chat focused on who would win a fight between the Zookeeper and the Kingmaker. All but the (even doubtful) Kingmaker reckoned the Zookeeper would ease it in three rounds.
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| Bloody Henry |
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| Langoustine |
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| Sea Cucumber |
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| Firework Anemone |
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| Yarrell's Blenny |
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| Limacia Clavigera |
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| Cushion Star |
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| Sea Lemon |
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| Corkwing Wrasse |
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