I may be a hardcore fisherman, however many of my favorite seafaring adventures have been more about spotting critters and enjoying the moment. On calmer days, this is a wonderful time of year for just such fun adventures.
On one such December day, WaveWalker floated calmly in a small cove on the northern side of Santa Cruz Island. The water was so clear we could easily see fish swimming and critters scurrying near and along the rocky-strewn bottom 20 feet below.
It felt like a magical day, and our critter friends did not let us down.
“There’s the California state saltwater fish,” my crew member, Capt. Tiffany said excitedly while pointing towards a crevasse between two rocks below.
A knowledgeable passenger responded, “That’s a garibaldi.”
Sure enough, the cute orange slab-sided, big-eyed fish swam lazily between the big rocks, likely prospecting for food. Another one swam into view and soon our group had spotted five within our range of visibility.
A close examination of the underwater wonderland below us showed us more and more of our special saltwater friends:
Crabs crawling around rocks; bigger fish like cabezon hunkered down in rocky lairs; smaller fish like smelt swimming at mid-column; sea lions looking for a sunny haul-out spot; cormorants chasing fish; critters peeking out from billowing stands of seagrasses and kelp.
We live for such days at sea.
It may not have surprised any of us to see a mermaid swim by or climb out onto the sun-warmed rocks.
I glanced up hopefully, to a rocky niche several feet above the water, at “hole-in-the-wall” because that is where I most expect to spot a beautiful and graceful mermaid. Or maybe a mean and ornery one. I’m open minded.
Between the critters in our calm little cove and the myriad seabirds, dolphins, whales, porpoise, fish and other seafaring critters we spotted throughout our adventure, my passengers had quite an adventurous voyage.
On other days I’ve taken out divers and snorkelers who venture underwater to go face-to-face with the flora and fauna of our seas. They come back up telling incredible tales of what they have seen.
We are all learning to care more and more about the critters and plants and the various cultural heritage resources under the surface of the sea.
We have a fun and meaningful chance to share and celebrate our enjoyment of the local seascape, Sunday, Dec. 14, when Santa Barbara puts on its annual Parade of Lights at the Harbor and Stearns Wharf.
Candy Cane Cove was chosen as the theme for this year’s Parade of Lights.
I have again volunteered to serve as emcee for the event on the wharf, so join me in celebrating our waterfront holiday spirit with other ocean lovers.
In fact, show up early (about 3 p.m.), because the festivities include music, Santa’s Village, and lots of manufactured snow (weather permitting).
Then there will be a tree-lighting ceremony near the Sea Centerm and the Parade of Lights featuring many of our very own local boats decorated to portray the owner’s or designer’s unique perspective on the fun theme.