Strewn with Flower Petals

Crown Flowers are going off right now. Their durability makes them popular for leis.

The landscapers provided me with a colorful sidewalk this morning. I like it when my path is strewn with flower petals.

Big Nudibranch

 

 I found myself face to face with the largest Nudibranch I've ever encountered this morning. It was at least four inches across and perhaps as much as seven inches. It was also very cooperative in that it posed quietly for my camera.

And I never would have noticed it at all if it hadn't been pointed out to me by one of Maui's very own, very real Mermaids. Thanks Peemer.

Wet Yoga

 Because Stand-Up-Paddleboarding has become so popular, it is only natural that Paddleboard-Yoga should also become a hit. I have a hard enough time balancing on solid land, throw in some waves and I am totally lost.

I decided to stop and take a few snapshots of some of the neighborhood waterfalls this morning.

Final Swim of 2014

 In spite of a nasty wind chop which only got worse the farther we went, and a murky start, the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers finished off the year with another wonderful ocean swim this morning.

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

Chilling

Despite the chilly 75 degrees, lots of people were enjoying the ocean this morning.

Christmas Cheer

Warm and Wet

 Today was the first day of winter and, surprisingly, the ocean seemed just a little bit warmer.

We had some first-timers with us this morning and I really enjoyed showing them around. Unfortunately, with the water far less than clear, there wasn't a whole lot to see. But at least we could (barely) hear the Humpback Whales singing.

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

AE'O

 I visited the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge this morning for the first time ever.

Birds were in abundance, but mostly lots of 'alae kea (Hawaiian Coot) and the truly obnoxious ae'o (Hawaiian Stilt), both of which are endangered species.

Never visit these ponds with a headache, though. The ae'o constantly sounded off whenever I was near and I found their loud call not dissimilar to a car alarm - and it NEVER STOPPED the entire time I was there. I will not be going back ever again, at least not without ear plugs.

Bleaching

 We had another spectacular morning for a swim today with clear, clear water.

Unfortunately, we are seeing way too much coral bleaching going on. While I normally complain (a lot) about chilly water this time of year, at least it keeps further bleaching on hold.

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

If You Build It

 If you build it, they will come. Nope, wrong reference.

Last night after a wonderful dinner, was Jenga time. This group had amazingly steady hands considering our advanced years.

But the sound effects were what truly made the game.

Strange Weeds

These strange weeds are growing all over our neighborhood. The flowers aren't very interesting, but the seed pods are cool.

Thar She Blows

 I've seen a few Humpback Whales so far this season, but this was the first photograph (top) I've taken to prove my claims. From their behavior this appeared to be a competition pod.

Ti plants are in bloom right now all over the place.

And this (bottom photo) is yet another reason I do NOT photograph people professionally. Good luck getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time with eyes open and relaxed expressions.

Morning and Evening

I have great friends who are willing to get wild and crazy out in the ocean with me. We had another fun time this morning (and evening as well).

Wet Wedding

 Leave it to Patti & Janet to think outside the box, especially when it comes to their own wedding.

The initial ceremony occurred in the ocean at "the arch" and was overseen by the King of the Sea, Nep-tuna.

Click HERE for lots more photos from yesterday's celebrations.

How Many

No spectacular surf shots this morning, just a couple from the beach as the sky was clearing up.

Including this advertising shoot. Six people were required to photograph some t-shirts. 

Peahi Session

Today was only my second time at the huge-wave surf spot Peahi, commonly known as Jaws.

The waves were only half the size they reach during epic surf, but were still impressive as heck.

Dangerous Plant

Bitter Melon left to ripen on the vine looks like a hungry carnivorous plant. The only danger these invasive plants pose is choking out native species.

Coconut tree trimmers are incredibly busy right now cutting down coconuts and fronds before the onset of winter visitors to Maui.

Heard but not Seen

 We saw lots of sea turtles on our ocean swim this morning including this guy, above, who escorted us for a considerable distance.

We also heard a fair amount of humpback whale singing along the way, although we did not see a single whale today.

Sixties

 Just another average December morning on Maui.

Well, maybe a little chillier than average. It took most of the day to finally get up to eighty degrees and actually started in the frigid sixties. [brrr]

Sting Ray

 This morning I saw one of the largest Sting Rays that I've ever seen. But that wouldn't take much since they're a rare sight here on Maui, and I've only seen a few in my twenty-some years of swimming here.

There were also a handful of Spinner Dolphins today which briefly swam past me and my human friends.