061222
Now that the rain has quit, it's butterfly season. With this first one's peculiar wing arrangement it may not be a butterfly at all.
The rest are more normal.
There is a Hibiscus lover living about a block away and I get to pass by the flower confinement each day. This one poked a bloom out through the fence.
This next one stands above the rest.
This plant is growing wild out of a neighbor's wall.
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There used to be a vacant lot across the street from Blanquita's. It was a full block square and the asking price was a cool Million Bucks, usd! As I was leaving last year someone had gotten pretty interested and this is what I found upon returning. Note the orange 5 br house on the far right, it sold for $90K usd during last winters visit.
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Yes, the noise is tremendous 12 hours a day. That may explain why my rent didn't go up from last year. Rumor has it the comdo prices start at $135K usd plus association fees. I'm sure glad I rent. Show up, stay as long as I like and leave; minimal problems and no worries. Owning things in Mexico can be trying.
The stories of Mosquito born Dengue fever are on the rise and as week 2 is wrapping up I've killed 2 and not been bit yet. The local breed is known as Asian Tiger.
I'm still a sucker for a good spiral staircase and got off on this one I found in an alley. They wanted to provide ample side clearance for tall trucks and then spiraled above. Note the overhead rail for lifting heavy stuff in and out. Great place for a sculptors studio and loft.
And. . . . just look at all that lovely used restaurant cooking oil stored under the steps. (That oil can be used as fuel in a diesel car or truck with some simple modifications, plus it never gets cold enough down here to make it jell into Crisco)
I'll just give that topic a rest.
As soon as I got to Cozumel I stopped by the air station to make arrangements for breathing air to dive with and my tank was safe and sound in their locked storage area. It had reached an age where it needed to be tested and for $16 they did it. The cylinder is rated at 3000 psi and the test is to fill it with water at 5000 psi and check for expansion. I'm all set for another 5 years.
I also visited Javier (heavy air) the regulator mechanic and had some upgrading done on my outfit. Since I don't dive with groups I'm now using a second stage back-up regulator that is incorporated into my BC inflater. Details on request.
With all that done I visited SeaScapes behind Jeannie s Waffles and dove on Atlanteda's artificial reef this week and had this guy lead me into the wreckage of their one time porpoise pens.
I couldn't find it's name on my cheat sheet so maybe Kari the underwater Naturalist can identify it for us.
-Note-
I'm updating this page a week later to now include a note Albert Huizing sent along regarding the fish identifications:
"Hey Denis, According to Paul Humann's Reef Fish ID book the first fish appears to be a Yellowtail Parrotfish, the second fish you say looks like a snapper is clearly a Bermuda Chub, and the school of slim silver fish that looked like some kind of Cero appear to be Southern Sennet. The Yellowtail Parrotfish example in the book is colored slightly different than the one in your photo so maybe it is a juvenile, male, female or some iteration of the one in Paul's book. I have never seen one with that coloration and I've been diving a while. Of all the parrotfish the Yellowtail Parrotfish is the only one with a yellow tail. The mouth of your Yellowtail Parrotfish made me uncertain that it was a parrotfish but the book shows some parrotfish having a mouth like that.
I look forward to your weekly updates and enjoy them very much. Thanks.
This on the other hand looks like a snapper. (Mmmmm, good eating too)
There were some guys hand casting off the shore and one of them snagged me. I got loose before he landed me, and no punctures.
When I left last year there was quite a variety of marine life but no Anemones (an enemy) but they've sure set in this season.
Also this year, there is a huge population of these little snails and I'm wondering if they might not be attacking this Sea Urchin
Trumpet fish are so convinced that they become invisible when they hover next to a rod or stick that they are pretty fearless around the camera. I also wonder if they aren't attracted to their own image reflected in the lens.
These guys are not baby Barracuda. I think they are 'Cero' and fairly fearless also, to a point.
Here they are again showing a little more of the wreckage in the background.
There is a pretty brisk current here so one wants to keep in mind where they are and not get swept into the tangle.
It's kind of interesting how this section of fencing got folded up.
I need Kari's opinion again for this guy. I think it's a fire worm. As I recall those white fur balls are spores that get into the skin and itch like hell if you touch them. (~1.5" long)
more of the same
On my return to shore I found this mob of snorkelers at the ladder. I think that is Mario in black who is leading them.
No sunset to be had this week as a parting shot. Here is a recent visitor hanging on the hook just off the seafront promenade called the Malicon.
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