When I found out I was going to be out of the water for two weeks, small grief engulfed me. Although the last swims I have been on, conditions have not been particularly notable, the underwater world has been fascinating. I am sure you have all heard of the sea lions barking all day and night and seen them in the harbor, feeding off all the schools of bait passing by. Even the pelicans have been in crazy flight patterns, diving and squawking for the delicious bait that has been so abundant.
So, on my last swim, I was hoping to see the bait again circling in figure eights around the stalks of kelp beds over towards Descanso. Before I got there, I spotted this most unusual character that I later found out is called a “sea elephant.” I thought it was a jelly. It is a heteropod. It is a type of mollusk. They have a transparent body. I could see its organs! It was swimming on its back and there was a small shell on the bottom. They are usually only seen in very cold waters. Well, it is 55 degrees. Brrr! Why the name sea elephant? It slurps up snails!
So, there was my Valentine treat!
Sea you at the stairs …
Tina Kennedy has resided in Avalon for more than 40 years, and manages Catalina Divers Supply. She loves swimming, diving, snorkeling, and paddling in the island’s waters. Contact her at info@catalinadiverssupply.com
