Spring Break

Wailea beach is still wall to wall people for spring break, but you don't have to go far on Maui to find a more secluded beach. I took these two photos only five minutes walk from each other this morning.

New Old Cave

Lava cliffs along Maui's south shore are usually unapproachable due to huge crashing waves. Not today. In fact the swell was so small that I was able to swim into a cave I had been curious about for a long time. Even today's small surge repeatedly filled the cave to the top, so I had to time my entrance and exit perfectly. I was delighted to find a small lagoon on the other side, but was too nervous to stay and enjoy it. Next time...

Racing Stripe

We saw lots of critters during this morning's ocean swim. This scardey cat shark (above) was waiting for us by the arch but swam away when we got too close.

Green Sea Turtles were everywhere and this one (below) had a custom racing stripe down the center of its back. This Cornet Fish stuck to the back of this turtle like it was glued on, enjoying a ride safe from predators and a perch from which to capture unsuspecting prey.

Click HERE for lots more photos from today's swim.

Bye Bye

This was my buddy Jeff this morning just moments before both he and I attempted to walk on water.

A Tiger Shark swam in an agitated way between us and we skeedaddled out of there.

Afterward, Jeff was kicking himself for not having the presence of mind to stick around and get video of the shark. Not me. Nosiree.

Go Down

This gal kept getting in my way during my ocean swim this morning. I tried to swim right, she swam right. I tried to swim left, she swam left. I finally had to go under her to get past.

Sweet Swimmer

Teetering on the brink of extinction, one of the few remaining Hawaiian Monk Seals found time to swim with me this morning. Sweet.

Mix It Up

Same boring ocean with coconut palm trees photograph, so I thought I'd mix it up and throw a little Photoshop at it this morning. Hmmm. Still boring.

Levitation

My buddy, Renee, has recently achieved enlightenment and will return to teaching yoga in a couple of weeks. Join her and with practice and effort you too can learn to levitate.

Of course, being in water sure helps to give the feeling of flying. And there were lots of fliers for the Sunday morning swim today.

Click HERE for many more photos from this morning's ocean experience.

Fewer and Fewer

Maui's Humpback Whales are having their last hurrah before heading back north to Alaska. Already I am seeing fewer and fewer whales, and their singing is growing fainter when I dive underwater. Soon all will be quiet until next winter.

Immersed

On Maui it's all about getting out on (or in) the water.

And there is no place I would rather be than immersed in salty water with the sea bottom far below.

Photographee

When the hunter becomes the hunted.

Well, something like that. Maybe "when the photographer becomes the photographee" would be closer. Usually scuba divers are totally oblivious to what is going on above them, but not this guy this morning. He saw me coming and was ready (photo above).

This group (photo right), however, did not expect to find me in this cave today. Scuba divers aren't the only one who can go deep. Now if only I were better at holding my breath, then I could sleep on the bottom like this turtle near my house this morning. Or better yet, I have to learn how to breathe better underwater.

Outnumbered

We are outnumbered.

There were more than two Canadalanders at this morning's ocean swim for every Maui person. Which was refreshing. I had fun seeing things through their eyes, where every turtle was novel and exciting. And a large Manta Ray - amazing!

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Schizophrenia

After all these years I am still amazed by Maui's schizophrenic weather. It was sunny and calm in Wailea, but less than one mile away in Kihei it was cloudy, windy, rainy and chilly. And it stayed that way for hours. Gotta love those micro climes.

Um, no reason for the waterfall photo, just snapped it during my morning walk.

No Runoff

I thought that with all the rain we got yesterday that runoff and brown water might be an issue in the ocean this morning. Nope. Instead I swam through crystal clear (but chillier than usual) water.

What's the Story

Just a couple of random shots from my walk along the beach this morning. What do you think? Wedding party? Or Computer Software Engineers between seminars?

Apparitions

They are like ghosts the way they can fade into nothingness. I am always amazed at how invisible Humpback Whales are underwater unless they are really, really close. These two swam by me today and immediately disappeared into the blue.

Natural Forces

I should look for an easier hobby, like herding and photographing stray alley cats.

The photo above is most (but not all) of the swimmers from this morning's ocean swim. It is impossible to get everybody into a shot.

The photo below was the same group. At least solid land has friction to hold people in place after I place them there. Unfortunately, water doesn't keep them from slipping apart when their magnetic repellant forces kick in. Either that, or these people truly cannot stand each other and try to get as far apart as possible (but I do not believe that).

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Rentals

One of many equipment rental places on Wailea Beach.

Movie Time

I'm usually watching a movie around sunset time, but this evening I somehow became motivated to walk out my front door and take this quick snapshot. Okay, time to start the movie.

Dodging Clouds

All week I've been commuting 3 hours each day to photograph a residence in Kapalua - and on Maui driving three hours is a Big Deal. The client wants to see cloudless skies in the photos and today I managed to get one photograph between the clearing of one set of clouds and the arrival of the next. So, I'm back on the road tomorrow to dodge more clouds.