Let’s Go! The Deets on Diving for Giant Rock Scallops

Diver breaks the surface with a giant rock scallop in hand. photo by K. Joe

A painted greenling curls around a giant rock scallop with a long-dead barnacle attached to its upper shell. photo by K. Joe

Giant rock scallops amid strawberry anemones and sponges in Northern California. photo by K. Joe

Almost everyone has a favorite chair. It’s where you sit to read a book, or watch movies, or play video games, or stare blindly into space.

Imagine that you’ve decided to live in your favorite chair forever, while food and drink just float by for you to snatch when you’re hungry or thirsty (some of you may have friends like this already!). After awhile, your backside begins to look like the seat of your chair, melding so the two of you become one. If you also feel yourself growing multiple eyes and orange lips, you might have just become a giant rock scallop.