Farm Robots, Clown Dorid - nudibranch - sea slug - Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia - scuba diving digital photographs images and sites
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Aquatic but Non-Marine Life
Vancouver Island, B.C.
Scuba Diving Pictures from the north end of Forest Island, B.C. Canada. Just east of Sidney, Vancouver Island. Thanks Jason S, for the dives here.
These are medium quality jpegs. But I have the RAW images as well.
Email tjfidler@telus.net
Directions to the Dive Site are located at the bottom of the page.
Type of dive: boat dive
Rating for this dive site: 6.5/10
Parking: N/A
Bathroom/Washroom/Toilet: N/A
Boat ramp: nearest in Sidney
Ease of entry:  [Wheel chair access: No]
Abundance of life: 7/10
Accommodations: There are several places in Sidney or even Victoria that you could find lodging at. Including Hotels, Motels, Inns and Campgrounds.
Attractions: large colony of Giant Acorn Barnacles
Bottom and depth:  Just past the tip of the island is a couple of rock pinacles [starting 3 m below the surface] with lots of hiding places, and close to the island it turns from rock to sand.
Facilities: none at the site
Hazards/Obstacles: current always seems to be an issue
Sensitivity to tide/current: very sensitive to current
Terrain: rocky walls, and pinacles. Surrounded by sand, and even dead barnacles making up its own gravel in areas
Tides, transportation and weather: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Tide Page., BC Ferries Schedule and Sailings. , The Weather Network

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The following images are thumbnails. If you click on them a larger image will open up and the picture will take up most of your screen. Again these are medium qualifty jpegs. Higher quality images can be purchased directly from me via paypal using my email address tjfidler@telus.net And many of these photos can be found for sale on Cafepress through the Calendar link and Photo CD link. As well some of these can be found as posters via Cafepress, and some of these ocean life photographs are available as widescreen backgrounds via the widescreen link immediately below some of the photographs.

A few people have already asked me about "What is that pink stuff on the rocks in some of the pictures?" Well, they're usually Pink Rock Crust (aka Encrusting Coralline Algae) or in some cases might even be Encrusting Hydrocorals. The algae are eaten by a variety of animals - apparently as a good source of calcium.

Links to the various groups of organisms:
Cephalopods, Crustaceans, Fish, Mollusks, Nudibranchs, Sea Anemones, Sea Cucumbers & Echinoderms, Sponges, Tunicates, Worms, Miscellaneous

Crustaceans

Dead barnacles and other shells - debris pile
Giant Acorn Barnacles
Giant Acorn Barnacle debris forming a gravel area on the west side of the closest
pinacles just past the north tip of the island. (Feb 8, 2009)
Giant Acorn Barnacles with some Velvety Sponge? and Pink Encrusting Algae. The
average size being about 5 inches [12.5 cm] in diameter. (Feb 8, 2009)
Giant Acorn Barnacles
Decorator Crab, Cancer Crab and Giant Acorn Barnacles  - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Giant Acorn Barnacles. None of them seemed to be feeding when we were here at
this time of day. We entered the water just after noon. (Feb 8, 2009)
Decorator Crab ~ 9 inches [17.5 cm] wide with the legs. Crawling over the Giant
Acorn Barnacles. Also note the Cancer Crab just below it. They are often found
living in the shells of dead Giant Acorn Barnacles (Feb 8, 2009)
Bering Hermit Crab
Bering Hermit Crab
Bering Hermit Crabs ~ 2 inches [5 cm] for the largest one. There was a quite a few
at this dive location. (Feb 8, 2009)
Bering Hermit Crab ~ 4 inches [10 cm] across the shell. That would make this one
a juvenile based on the size of the shell it is wearing. (Feb 8, 2009)
Bering Hermit Crab - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Bering Hermit Crab eating something - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Bering Hermit Crab ~ 2.5 inches [6.25 cm] across the shell. Just too nice of a pose
to pass up this shot. Most usually run away before I can take a picture.
(Feb 8, 2009)
Bering Hermit Crab ~ 2 inches [5 cm] across the shell. It appeared to be eating the
white material that was attached the rock in front of it. (Feb 8, 2009)
Butterfly Crab - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Decorator Crab
Butterfly Crab ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] wide. It appears to be pink due to the Pink
Encrusting Algae that is on it. Obviously it has not moulted in a while. This was the
only specimen I saw on this dive. (Feb 8, 2009)
Decorator Crab ~ 8 inches [20 cm] with the legs. These were very common at this
site. (Feb 8, 2009)
Graceful Kelp Crab
Granular Claw Crab - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Graceful Kelp Crab ~ 4 inches [10 cm] wide with the legs. There were a few of
these at this site. This was one of the smaller ones. There were a few hiding between
the Giant Acorn Barnacles. (Feb 8, 2009)
Granular Claw Crab - the hole of the Giant Acorn Barnacle that this crab is living
within is approxmately 4 inches [10 cm] in diameter. This is the first time I have ever
seen one of these animals. (Feb 8, 2009)
Moss Crab - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Moss Crab riding a Blood Starfish - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Moss Crab ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] wide with the legs. Note the hermit crab above it
that has withdrawn into its shell because of my presence. (Feb 8, 2009)
Moss Crab ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] wide. Riding on a Blood Starfish. It is quite common
to find a variety of the crabs "riding" starfish. (Feb 8, 2009)
Moss Crab on Sponge - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Red Rock Crab
Moss Crab ~ 4 inches [10 cm] long. On one of the larger sponge masses that are
found on the "reefs" just past the north tip of Forest Island. Some of the larger
sponge masses were up to 3 feet [1 m] wide. But usually no more than 12 inches
[30 cm] tall. (Feb 8, 2009)
Red Rock Crab ~ 10 inches [25 cm] across the wide part of its main carapace. This
was the only one that I saw this day. Just of the little beach on the east side of the
north end of the island. (Feb 8, 2009)
Sharp Nosed Crab sitting on Giant Acorn Barnacles

Sharp Nosed Crab ~ 5 inches [12.5 cm] wide. They are very similar to the Moss
Crabs. But the Sharp Nosed Crabs have larger and longer arms. Note the Orange
Ascidians [tunicates] that surround, and partially cover the Giant Acorn Barnacles.
(Feb 8, 2009)


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Fish

Longfin Sculpin
Scalyhead Sculpin - a fish - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Longfin Sculpin ~ this fish was approximately 5 inches [12.5 cm] long. There were
more of these here but they were skittish, and this was my best photo of one.
(Feb 8, 2009)
Scalyhead Sculpin ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] long. This fish was nice enough to stay still
for a couple pictures. I was the one that had to move to catch up to my dive
partner. (Feb 8, 2009)
Sculpin of some kind - a fish

Sculpin ~ 4 inches [10 cm] long. This was a fish that stayed still while I took a
couple of pictures. It is sitting on a bed of Coralline-Encased Filament Worms.
(Feb 8, 2009)


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Mollusks

Chiton - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Chiton
Chiton ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] long. Note the Orange Social Ascidians the very small
orange "dots" in this picture. And 5+ Orange Cup Corals. (Feb 8, 2009)
Chiton ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] long. (Feb 8, 2009)
Chiton
Geoduck Clam - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Chiton ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] long. The smaller pink one is a Blue-Lined Chiton.
(Feb 8, 2009)
Geoduck Clam ~ 5 inches [12.5 cm] wide. Normally you don't see the shell as this
is usually buried in the sand. (Feb 8, 2009)
Hairy Triton snail laying eggs

Hairy Triton Snail ~ 2 inches [5 cm] wide. Note that it is laying some eggs.
(Feb 8, 2009)


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Nudibranchs [or Sea Slugs] & Snails

Clown Dorid
Cockerells Nudibranch
Clown Dorid ~ 4 inches [10 cm] long. As adults they are usually longer than this by
a couple of inches. (Feb 8, 2009)
Cockerell's Nudibranch ~ 1.5 inches [3.75 cm] long. The white mass with the
orange bodies sticking out of it. (Feb 8, 2009)
Leopard Dorids - possibly mating
Nanaimo Nudibranch
Leopard Dorids ~ 2 inches [5 cm] long. This pair appears to be breeding. And
likely laying eggs. (Feb 8, 2009)
Nanaimo Nudibranch ~ 2 inches [5 cm] long. (Feb 8, 2009)
Whitelined Dirona - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Whitelined Dirona
White Lined Dirona ~ 5 inches [12.5 cm] long. (Feb 8, 2009) White Lined Dirona ~ 5 inches [12.5 cm] long. (Feb 8, 2009)

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Sea Anemones ( Cnidarians )

Buried Anemone
Giant Plumose Anemones - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Buried Anemone ~ 8 inches [20 cm] diameter. (Feb 8, 2009) Giant Plumose Anemones ~ 20 inches [50 cm] tall. This makes them about half as
tall as compared to more mature ones that I've seen. (Feb 8, 2009)
Painted Anemone

Painted Anemone ~ 10 inches [25 cm] tall. (Feb 8, 2009)

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 Sea Cucumbers & Starfish ( Echinoderms )

Blood Starfish
Creeping Petal Sea Cucumber - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Blood Star ~ 12 inches [30 cm] wide. This starfish is just above some Coralline-
Encased Filament Worms. (Feb 8, 2009)
Creeping Petal Sea Cucumber ~ 4 inches [10 cm] wide. With its arms extended to
try and catch some food. (Feb 8, 2009)
Daisy Brittle Starfish - the arms sticking out of a crack in the rocks
Green Sea Urchin
Daisy Brittle Star with its arms protruding out of a crack in the rock in which it is
hiding. The stick out their arms in the hope to catch some bits of food. The arms are
about 2 inches [5 cm] long. (Feb 8, 2009)
Green Sea Urchin ~ 5 inches [12.5 cm] in diameter. (Feb 8, 2009)
Leather Starfish
 Leather Starfish - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Leather Star ~ 10 inches [25 cm] wide. Very common at this scuba diving site near
Sidney British Columbia. (Feb 8, 2009)
Leather Star ~ 7 inches [17.5 cm] wide. Beside possibly some Acid Weed.
(Feb 8, 2009)
Leather Starfish and some compound tunicates
Morning Starfish possibly eating a Leather Starfish
Leather Star ~ 10 inches [25 cm] wide. Below it and to the left of it are some
compound tunicates. (Feb 8, 2009)
Morning Star ~ 18 inches [45 cm] wide. If you look carefully and to the top left of
it you will see a Leather Star arm sticking out. I believe the Morning Starfish is
killing the Leather Star to eat it. I have a better example of this on the Henderson
Point web dive site page. (Feb 8, 2009)
Mottled Starfish - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Orange Sea Cucumber
Mottled Star ~ 14 inches [35 cm] wide. (Feb 8, 2009) Orange Sea Cucumber ~ 5 inches [12.5 cm] tall. Note that is arms [feeding arms]
are retracted. The little brown tubes running up its side are actually its tube feet.
(Feb 8, 2009)
Sunflower Starfish - baby
Sunflower Starfish and Scuba Diver - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Sunflower Star ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] in diameter. This starfish is basically a baby.
(Feb 8, 2009)
Sunflower Starfish ~ 14 inches [35 cm] wide and a scuba diver. The image is a bit
fuzzy due to back scatter from particles floating in the water. (Feb 8, 2009)
Red Sea Urchin - juvenile

Red Sea Urchin ~ 5 inches [12.5 cm] in diameter. Sitting on a living Giant Acorn
Barnacle. (Feb 8, 2009)


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Sponges

Sponge with some small hermit crabs on it
Velvety Red Sponge
Possibly - Hard Gnarled CLump Sponge (Feb 8, 2009) Velvety Red Sponge and a small Stalked Tunicate to the right of it. (Feb 8, 2009)
Velvety sponge of some kind

Possibly - Thick Encrusting Scarlet Sponge (Feb 8, 2009)


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Tunicates

Compound Tunicates
Warty Tunicates
Some Compound Tunicates ~ 8 inches [20 cm] wide across the main mass of them.
(Feb 8, 2009)
Warty Tunicates ~ 4 inches [10 cm] tall. The orange tube or stalk like objects just
to the left and above the middle of this image. To the right of them is some sponge,
and below them is a small Creeping Petal Sea Cucumber. (Feb 8, 2009)
Transparent Tunicate

Transparent Tunicate ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] long. The whitish tube looking item on the
lower right of this image. Also in this image are a couple of Orange Cup Corals and
a Graceful Kelp Crab in the back ground. (Feb 8, 2009)



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Worms

Calcareous Tube Worms - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
worms of some kind
Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworms. The red portion is about 2 inches [5 cm]
tall. There are some Filament Worms to the left and above the Red Trumpet
worms. And some Compound Tunicates to the lower right. (Feb 8, 2009)
Not sure but these white "worms" looked like worms. Only about 2 inches [5 cm]
long. I could not find any thing that looked like these in my books. (Feb 8, 2009)

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Miscellaneous

Northern Staghorn Bryozoan
Pink Encrusting Hydrocoral - Forest Island near Victoria - scuba diving site vancouver island british columbia canada
Northern Staghorn Bryozoans ~ 3 inches [7.5 cm] tall. (Feb 8, 2009) Pink Encrusting Hydrocoral ~ 7 inches [17.5 cm] tall/long. (Feb 8, 2009)
Pink Encrusting Hydrocoral

Pink & Purple Encrusting Hydrocoral ~ 6 inches [15 cm] wide/long. (Feb 8, 2009)

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