Jim Obester Photography

Northern lights over Goldendale, WA last night. Caught a meteor on this shot.

This 4' Southern Stingray was a great treat toward the end of the dive. I was taking pictures of the critters at the last pilings of the fishing pier at the Blue Heron Bridge and swam within 5' of me. It's what draws me to this site, you never know what you'll see. The Bridge never disappoints.

Atlantic Spadefish seem to have no problem with us divers. They seem curious and this 16mm lens is within 3' of them. This school was slowly swimming around the pilings at the Blue Heron Bridge and quite frankly, I just like swimming with them.

Along with the various rock pile artificial reefs at Blue Heron Bridge are three 5' long hammerhead sculptures. This one appears to be a thriving habitat.

A reef shot from yesterday. Still pretty windy. A couple snorkelers checking out the reef as another beautiful Queen Angelfish swims by.

One of my favorite fish at the Blue Heron Bridge is the beautiful Queen Angelfish. Stunning colors and not too camera shy.

More re**er madness at the Blue Heron Bridge. You can see my float and dive flag in the upper right. Bane of my existence while diving the bridge. Must get myself tangled at least 172 times each dive. I threaten myself with hiring a guide just to tow the darn thing, but I'm too cheap.

Another shot from windy day with a Parrot fish posing in front of a reef at the Blue Heron Bridge. Just one of the many stunning fish to inhabit or just transit this incredible dive site.

Wind and rain stirred up the surface diving the Blue Heron Bridge. 16mm fisheye and some Photoshop shenanigans emphasizes the surface Chaos as the reef critters go about their business. Wide Angle Underwater Photography

West Palm sunrise. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning. Storm coming this afternoon.

Saw this female out of her den ~50' deep just north of the South wall. Big octopus in the rockpile at the end of the south wall - too far in it's den for pictures.
Great fall diving @ Sund Rock Marine Preserve.

Below 50' much better visibility. Saw a couple Wolf Eels out of their dens. @ Sund Rock Marine Preserve

Quick trip to Sund Rock Marine Preserve. Marginal vis with a green haze back lights these Plumose anemones during my safety stop at 20'.

10 seconds on the self timer wasn't quite long enough for my 65 year old legs. I think I would have made it without the backpack.

Spent my birthday in Nepal teahouse trekking with my brother, Mike. Took a mirrorless camera with me and just now finished ranking and working some favorites. Always try to do something adventurous in October but I doubt I'll top this one.

The Himalayans in the background made for some spectacular shots. Mt Dhaulagiri 26,795', 7th tallest in the world.

After a 9.5 mile hike yesterday, was able to capture the near full moon moonrise over Mono Lake, California. Forrest fires gave an eerie red haze over the horizon.

Treasure Lake in John Muir Wilderness. Eastern Sierra’s. 11,300’. End of a great hiking trip. Should be back in the water @ Sund Rock Marine Preserve Sunday morning.

Should be a great weekend for diving at Sund Rock Marine Preserve. The past few days had visibility >40' below 50' with scattered patches of zooplankton. Lucked out with this wolf eel den between the south entry and the wall. Plumose anemones were open and the resident eel pair came out for pictures. Toasty thermocline of 71 degrees near the surface felt great after 48 below 100' .

Near the rock pile at far end of the south wall, @ Sund Rock Marine Preserve spotted this battered wolf eel. The rock pile had 3 pairs of wolf eels and a couple octopuses.

This flat rock near the south entrance @ Sund Rock Marine Preserve usually has a Lingcod hanging out there but I have never seen a big Rock Crab along side.

Purple shore crab Sund Rock Marine Preserve