A few wee dives in Skye.... Thanks to Alison for diving with me, and Kev for organising the trip!
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Eilan Donan Castle on a blustery evening.
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Eilan Donan Castle looking just a little more tranquil.
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The wreck of the Port Napier is just off Kyleakin and breaks the water at low tide. If you look to the right you'll see a wee otter was resting and eating a fish when we arrived!
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A large gun (maybe 10 feet long!) on the Port Napier.
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I had two wonderful dives on the wreck, which is massive and quite shallow, but the water had a lot of big particles in it so I didn't get many photos. Still, there were millions of these sea-squirts so I couldn't let them get away without being photographed!
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A beautiful evening view towards the Skye Bridge.
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May
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May
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May - I seem to have had difficulties stopping myself from taking photos of this rather pretty craft.
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SHARK ATTACK!!! Full story here.
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I'm not completely sure what the yellow blobby thing is. Some sort of sponge or hydroid I think...
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Starfish, looking very laid back I think.
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A profusion of life on every surface. Sea lock anemones, sea squirts, feather stars, barnacles...
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...even a cushion star.
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More sea squirts.
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Another Sea Loch Anemone.
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A painted top shell on some kelp. It's not as spectacular as the kelp in Monterey though..
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I'm not quite sure how this tiny scallop ended up in Alison's hand, but she passed it to me and it seemed rude not to photograph it. Isn't it tiny!
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A rather large Nudibranch dining on dead mens fingers.
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A rare rear view of a long-clawed squat lobster.
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They are really agressive wee blighters, defending their corner of the seabed.
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A sunstar partolling for food.
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This crab seems to be accumulating a lot of barnacles.
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A Yarrels Blenny, an eel-like fish complete wirh ridiculous head-dress!
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That head decoration would make me go rather cross-eyed I think.
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A dragonet trying to blend into the seabed.
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A cowrie shell crawls along the bottom.
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This scallop is pretty well hidden too.
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This hermit crab seems more curious than most - usually they retreat into their shells when I approach.
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A shore crab digging a hole (not sure why?) attracts quite a crowd of Sand Gobies hoping to find a snack in the disturbed material.
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A less well concealed scallop - it's lost it's coating of sand after going for a little swim. The way they flap open and shut to swim always cracks me up!
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Looking up from around 10m you can clearly see waves and Alison's SMB on the surface.
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Alison tries to hide behind her reel.
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Alison is pursuaded not to hide behind her reel.
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Hmm, doesn't look too seaworthy...
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...but the gull doesn't mind!
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The Starfish 8 - our trusty steed for the weekend.
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