Baja, Sea of Cortez

BAJA, SEA OF CORTEZ - October 7-14, 2007
All pictures © 2012 by Ken Kurtis
(Underwater images shot with a Nikon D200 in an Ikelite housing with dual Nikon SB-105 strobes, various lenses.
Surfgace shots with a Nokon D70.)
Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger, full-screen version

(Click here to read the written trip report.)
THE BOAT

The Don Jose at Los Islotes	Panga drivers Luis & Felix	Hernan is prepared for any weather	Captain Jose Lozano & Ken Kurtis share a touching moment
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THE SEA LION CAVE

Curious	Inquisitive	Playful	Gnawing on Vick Thomas' hand
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THE SCHOOLING SCAD

The schools are everywhere at Islotes	Making a hole as a predator passes through	Up close and packed in	A Golden Grouper passes the school
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THE JAWFISH AT ISLOTES

Solitary burrow	Who you lookin' at???	Keeping a wary eye	Up close
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Nuptial make ready to make his move	Look at me girls!!!	Doing a 180º back to his hole	Ready to display again
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THE BEACH PARTY

Beach party cove. Note the tent and chairs/tables lower left.	Elisabeth Sykes & Marilyn Lawrence having a good time on the beach	The Don Jose waited for us offshore	They even made us a cake to celebrate 20 years of diving Baja
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THE FANG MING

Tons of fish	Interesting wreck to explore, too	Sea lion buddy waiting in the hold that's his reflection on top)	Predators comb the wreck in search of a snack
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Predators in the midst of the school	Making way for a diver	Fins-spotted Jawfish in the sand	Fish life at the prop
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Burrito Grunts at the stern	Porcupinefish getting cleaned	Blue-banded Goby on a sponge	Pikeblenny in the sand
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Head-on Scorpionfish	Keeping an eye out at the bow	Fish are coming. Note octo arm casually placed.	Note arm again. Octo failed at snagging a fish
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TWO DAYS AT LAS ANIMAS

Healthy sea fans	Garden Eels by Seal Rock	Yellow-polyp Black Coral	Lots of Scissortails
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Panama Graysby	Juvy King Angel	Adult version	Dave Cooley's innovative "Watch Hat"
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Toothy buddy	Cortez wrasses	Six-armed Cortez star	Panamic Soldierfish
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Panga-ing back to the Don Jose	Schooling Bigeye Trevally	Lobster	Flower Urchin
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BARNACLE BLENNIES

Barnacle Blenny (blue version)	Clubhead Barnacle Blenny	Keeping watch	Waiting to snatch a meal
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PANAMIC FANGED BLENNIES

They perch & wait	Winning smile	Lovely eyebrows	A face only a mother could love
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THE DOLPHINS
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Hundreds of dolphins	Leaping for joy	Right off our side	See ya later!!!
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OTHER ONES I LIKE

My favorite shot of the trip - a little hermit crab	Juvy Beaubrummel	Cortez Angelfish on the Fang Ming	Terminal phase male Cortez Wrasse
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Spectacular Seahorse	Pacific Mutton hamlet	Gorgeous flatworm at Los Islotes	Blue-and-gold Snappers
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California Dorid	Small Balloonfish	Cup coral starting to open	Arm detail
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Arrow Crab	Red-headed Goby	Triplefin Blenny up close	Octopus hanging out
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Pair of Coral Hawkfish	Giant Damselfish defending nest	Hermit Crab peeking	Cortez Damsel pirouetting
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MISCELLANEOUS

Waves breaking over Los Islotes	Signing out	The sunglasses collection	Frigate birds over Las Animas
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Other divers fighting the current at El Bajo	Marilyn Lawrence and her Duct Tape fins	Calm seas at Las Animas	Baja sunset (unretouched or tweaked - really!!!)
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