Splash of Color

This week's photo shoot location was one of the more colorful I've had in a while.

Crazy Fanatics

 A small fanatical group braved poor swimming conditions at the usual spot this morning.

Me? I wisely went a mile down the shore to Big Beach where the water was glassy calm and crystal clear, and had a wonderful swim.

New Menu

Manoli's has a whole new menu since I've been there last, and the food is delicious. It even looks good.

I saw flames shooting into the sky at the Wailea Four Seasons Resort yesterday as I drove past, and they were still flaming an hour later.

Racing and Hiding

The race is on...

And find the hidden koi...

Kahanamoku

In celebration of Duke Kahanamoku's 125th birthday today, lots of surfers were out riding the waves. Or perhaps they would have been out on the waves anyway, but any excuse counts.

Braving Adversity

Despite conditions being far less than ideal, a small band of Maui Pink Cap Swimmers braved adversity for a fun ocean swim this morning.

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

Cloudy and Bright

This morning may have been a little cloudier than usual, but Maui's beaches are still No Ka Oi.

Where Two Worlds Collide

Just over a mile south of my house the high wall of the mountain meets the beach and continues marching out into the ocean. The collision of the old lava flow and restless sea create a perfect break for boogie boarding.

Lopsided Test

 My buddy, Annie, showed me this interesting test she found recently (top photo). Most urchin tests are symmetrical with the star centrally located.

In addition to the usual preponderance of fishies, Annie found this large Moray Eel and a colorful Cleaner Wrasse (middle photo) on our ocean swim this morning.

Bottlecap Tree

The man who is normally camped under this tree every day was not there today, which gave me the opportunity to see how he has managed to put his personal stamp on his territory.

Crystal Clear Swimming

 Wow. We had crystal clear, clear, clear water for our ocean swim this morning. I make a big deal out of how clear the water was, because seldom is it this clear.

And compared to last week we had a good turnout of swimmers to enjoy the spectacular conditions.

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

The Writing's in the Sand

I often find messages scrawled in the sand. This one caught my eye on my walk this morning.

More Hurricanes

 Hurricane or no hurricane, it was a beautiful morning for an ocean swim.

In fact, if this is what it takes to get excellent conditions, then we need more hurricanes.

Shooting Water

 Sometimes all you've got to do is look at your feet.

The top photo is of a puddle in the road and the reflections found therein.

The other two were of ponds I passed on my morning walk.

Not Worried

 The fishies were out shopping for emergency hurricane supplies before our big storm of the week (Hilda) hits.

Me and the turtles? We're not worried. Nothing bad ever happens on Maui.

Tiniest Turnout

 Only three other people showed up for this morning's ocean swim, which makes it one of the tiniest turnouts ever.

Well, a couple others showed up at the arch and there was a surprise visitor at the finish.

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

Emulation

 I am emulating our sea turtle population by floating more than swimming now that the ocean has warmed up for the summer.

Ahhhh. Warm water.

Watch Your Toes

 Despite being under a Tropical Storm Watch it was a spectacular day for strolling the beach - if you watched where you stepped.

Thousands of Portuguese Man O'War were washed up on the beach (bottom photo), which led me to keep out of the ocean today. I vividly recall my worst encounter with one many years ago when I hit it with my hand while swimming. It felt like someone had slammed a hammer onto my hand with all the force they could muster. I have no desire to repeat that experience ever again.

Over not Under

 I jumped this morning at the unexpected sight of this turtle lying on a ledge only a couple of feet in front of me (top photo). I'm used to seeing them tucked under a rock, not on top of one.

I don't seem to be the only one enjoying the warm summer ocean water, lots of fish were out taking advantage of it too.

The Choice Few

 Very few Maui Pink Cap Swimmers showed up at the beach this morning even though we had some of the most spectacular conditions of the year.

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

Cleaning Up

 I am really liking the new Education Coordinator for the Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve. He has repeatedly gone out of his way to show me creatures I've never seen before.

Most notably this morning were tiny little baby eels and yet another cleaner shrimp.