Drama Under the Waves

I noticed way too many bubbles coming from this scuba diver below me on my swim this morning. Fortunately the tour leader was paying attention and was able to fix the breathey thingamajig quickly and efficiently. Nicely done.

Zombie Apocalypse

What is more surprising than walking through the woods and stumbling across an unexpected grave?

Why, stumbling across two graves - one of which has been broken open, of course.

Which begs the question, why is only one grave opened? A resurrection? The beginning of the zombie apocalypse? Family feud?  Hmmmm...

Invaded - Again

 Hordes of snorkelers and dolphins invaded my swim-space again this morning. You would think that with a whole ocean to swim in, they wouldn't have to crowd me; but that's okay. I'll find someplace else to swim next time. There's plenty of ocean to go around for everyone.

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

Only Seven Months

I took this photo this morning for family and friends of mine living in the Midwest, where the temperature has not been above freezing for way too long. Don't worry. Your summer is only seven months away.

Hazardous Sunday

 This morning's ocean swim was a hazardous one for Shaun.

The shark (above) came after him. Not to worry though. Shaun had the brilliant idea to take the fin off his foot and stuff it in the shark's mouth. Which was offensive enough to the shark that it turned its attention to Sandy who was escorting us in her kayak. A couple of whacks with her paddle, combined with me trying to get close for photos finally drove the poor critter away.

But that wasn't all. Shaun also managed to find a large, and dangerous, Box Jellyfish (photo at bottom of page). Its poisonous tentacles were five feet long, but thanks to Shaun's discovery, the rest of us swimmers were able to safely avoid getting stung (not that I didn't come mighty close while getting the photo for you).

All in all, we had a fun and exciting adventure swim. What a great way to welcome back Patti and Janet.

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Up Up Up

This tropical island is usually located under a high pressure system and clouds normally cannot form above 8,000 feet or so. But on days like today when the atmosphere becomes unstable and the moist tropical air rises up, up, up; spectacular clouds form around the mountain top.

While in the opposite direction, nothing can be seen but clear blue skies dominating a flat clear ocean.

Trouble's A-Brewin'

The Wild Women are back! Although there does seem to be a little confusion over who is who.

And after two years and two months in South and Central America they've finally perfected their Spanish language skills - although that didn't happen until their final stop, which was Los Angeles! Whatever it takes...

Coming Through

Turtles seem to have an easy life, but how would you like to have algae and barnacles growing on you? This guy was so totally oblivious this morning that he would have run into me if I hadn't gotten out of the way; kind of like me when I first wake up.

I don't know what kind of fish these are (below) but they always remind me of the spades suit on playing cards.

That Explains a Lot

Seriously? All this for a lackluster sunset?

It turns out that Maui Camera Club was doing a class on blurred water in the foreground of a sunset, and the sunset itself was not the main focus. Oh. That explains a lot.

Triple Birthday Swim

 Happy, happy, happy birthdays to Lynne, Toni and Josh.

The water was back to being clear and all kinds of critters were out and about. Spotted by members of our group this morning were: 2 sharks, manta ray, eagle ray, several eels, octopus, lots of green sea turtles, and too many fish to count. What a day.

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Winter has Begun

 The air temperature got down to a brutal sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit last night and I was reluctant, to say the least, to get into the ocean for a swim this morning.

Nicely, the water felt warm after crossing cold sand and being whipped by a frigid breeze.

It is only now, hours later, that I am finally beginning to warm back up. And winter has only begun.

Never Too Much Fun

 Despite the weather, a small and decidedly fun group went ahead with a great Sunday Pink Cap ocean swim this morning.

Many thanks for John visiting from California's Kelp Krawlers for putting up with our antics.

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Into the Storm

This evening had to be one of our less colorful sunsets in a while. If you pay for a "Sunset Cruise" like these people did, do you get a refund on days like today?

Underwater Swarms

 This morning I was mobbed by swarms of Spinner Dolphins. Everywhere I looked there were dolphins, dolphins and more dolphins.

They must have been visiting this same area for a few days now, and word must have gotten around, because I was seeing snorkelers in places where I can usually count on swimming alone. But that's okay, it's a big ocean and I can find other places to swim where I won't run into people or dolphins.

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

Two More Fallbacks

More fallback options for me...

...when I'm feeling uninspired, take photos of waterlilies or spiderwebs.

Little Orange Blob

 In my twenty-something years of swimming the shores of South Maui, I've only encountered the pretty kind of jellyfish maybe four times. And today was one of those!

This guy was only the size of a closed fist and able to swim out of a strong current. I am so glad I paid attention to that little orange blob I saw off in the distance.

Police Gazebo

Random shot of the day - beach gazebo at the Maui Police Department's Kihei sub-station (at least I assume that is what the building between Kam II and III beaches is).

Excellent Fun

The Maui Pink Cap Swimmers had another perfect Sunday ocean swim with much clearer water and glassy smooth conditions.  Excellent fun.

Click HERE for more photos from this morning.

Not Alone

 My mermaid buddy, Mara, along with her friend, Linda, a couple of other people and a smattering of Spinner Dolphins showed up to keep me company this morning.

It is nice to know that I am not alone.

Click HERE for more photos from this morning's dip in the ocean.

Quiet & Sleepy

 A group of five Spinner Dolphins quietly swam past me a few times on my ocean swim this morning before departing for parts unknown.

They stuck together and were rather reserved, until a tour boat came by. Then they woke up and began swimming rapidly around the boat. That is when they made on last trip by me to say "So long!"

Click HERE for a couple more photos from today's encounter.