California Channel Islands

 I was fascinated by these stunning Bat Rays.  July is in the breeding season, and you couldn't move for seeing them.

The last thumbnail here is worth a closer look, its Rays mating on the wing,  I count myself blessed to have seen this, and cursed for not getting a better picture!

    The first two pictures here are adult Garibaldi, and yes they really are that bright. The third is a baby horn shark I spotted under a rock.  Now this is the size of shark I am happy with.  The last one is the back end of a seal, superb photographic reflexes paid off again....NOT!

I hope this sequence gives some sense of the feelings of mystery and eeriness which I found in the kelp.

The second frame is a Sea Hare.  Basically a huge slug,  I am really glad they don't come that big on land, at least they don't in my garden.  There are loads of lobsters, but July is not the season.  I went back in November, which is, and yes they taste GOOD!