USVI-On-Line

I certainly did enjoy reading (looking at) your report. Such incredible shots! You must be a very (VERY) patient snorkeler. I thought I was, but after reading your report, I've come to the conclusion that I'm not. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.

Really fantastic photos, as always! Thanks for sharing them with us.

That warty anenome is really cool. I haven't seen one before.

Your pictures rock!

Thank you all so much for your kind comments.

mnfun2bme wrote:Did your heart start to race a bit when you saw that 5' lemon shark come from behind you?

That Lemon startled me. Once I realized she was a shark (and not my husband), I tried to keep up with her but she was much faster than I. You can probably tell from the photo that I took it in haste before she quickly disappeared from my view. It was in the deeper water out near Mary Point.

Ed S wrote:Can I ask where you saw all of these octopus?

At Francis we see them most in the area between one third and two thirds of the way out to Mary Point (the right side of the bay facing the water) - although we usually find very young small octopuses closer to the shore. Unless you are fortunate to run into active octopuses out in the open, looking carefully around, among and under the rocks/rubble for idle ones in their dens is pretty much the best we all can do. I know it's not easy to spot octopuses. I think patience and luck (good eyesight helps, of course) will lead you to those elusive creatures. Hope you and your wife will meet them next time!

Gretchen3 wrote:You must be a very (VERY) patient snorkeler.

You know, I am happy to hear when someone says that she/he wants to snorkel with me, but then I wonder if they would actually enjoy snorkeling with me. I go very slowly and sometimes I think my husband might be the only one who can put up with my pace. I give a lot of credit to him for understanding my style of snorkeling. We like the water in August because it's warm enough for us to snorkel 3+ hours straight and, in spite of our (I mean... my) snail's pace, we can cover a lot of areas.

augie - we've already spoken with your wife and reserved you for next May/June, so be prepared.

Pickle, thanks so much for the location information...... that is exactly where we have snorkeled for the past few years (always either early December or November). Same location where we saw what was definitely a den with cleaned shells (2 years ago, and went back last year as well). He was either hidden really well or moved on. Will definitely continue to spend time snorkeling there this coming December.
Thanks again!

GREAT PICS- Thanks for posting!

Thanks for sharing! I always get excited when I see your reports because your pictures are amazing! I love the octopus and showing the change of colors!!!! I hope to see some octopus in Jan thanks for explaining where you see them on Francis

mnfun2bme wrote:Oh my, Pickle..... these are STUNNING photos!!

Did your heart start to race a bit when you saw that 5' lemon shark come from behind you? I must say, I think I'd still be cleaning out my shorts! Was it a bit of an adrenalin rush?

Has anyone else had a 5' lemon shark come from behind like that?

We were snorkeling off the Kekoa near Waterlemon in July and apparently had an encounter with one. My wife and I jumped off the boat when we anchored and were told later by some people that we just about jumped on top of the shark. We didn't even see it. That wouldn't have been good. I know they're fairly docile but kicking it in the back of the head might've changed his world view!

jaybfloyd wrote:

mnfun2bme wrote:Oh my, Pickle..... these are STUNNING photos!!

Did your heart start to race a bit when you saw that 5' lemon shark come from behind you? I must say, I think I'd still be cleaning out my shorts! Was it a bit of an adrenalin rush?

Has anyone else had a 5' lemon shark come from behind like that?

We were snorkeling off the Kekoa near Waterlemon in July and apparently had an encounter with one. My wife and I jumped off the boat when we anchored and were told later by some people that we just about jumped on top of the shark. We didn't even see it. That wouldn't have been good. I know they're fairly docile but kicking it in the back of the head might've changed his world view!

Jaybfloyd.... that could have been very ugly!

For a girl of little words in this report, you sure made a big impact!! I loved our tr together and can't wait for the next time. Your man and mine can do music trivia all night long!! Xoxo

Awesome, amazing, beautiful, perfect pictures! My family and I were down the same week staying at Tracy's other beautiful "Seaside" at Grande Bay. I was blessed to meet and hangout (if only for a few minutes) Leslie whom said you were also down for the week, I wish I had the chance to meet you. Was it Saturday when you were snorkeling in the rain? We were caught in that lllooonnngg downpour trying to go up to Sunset Ridge. Thanks so much for sharing your week in pictures with us.