Licking Something

I never thought of ginger flowers as having much nectar, but this gecko was happily licking at something.

Shower trees are called that because of the constant shower of flower petals all summer long.

The beach was calling this morning.

Mermaids & Shark

This morning my friends, Maui's Mermaids, led me back to the friendly Gray Shark I met last week.

I love swimming with my friends.

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

Stinging Swim

 Many of the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers turned around after receiving multiple stings in less than clear water this morning.

I'm glad I kept on going because the water cleared up and I got to swim with a friendly Manta Ray.

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

Surrounded

I got to swim with lots of turtles this morning and a spotted eagle ray, too.

And right at the end I was surrounded by a big school of half-beaks.

Naked Swimming

 For some reason I like the look of both raccoons and Raccoon Butterfly Fish. This morning I noticed a school of about thirty in a different place than usual.

Yes, summer is almost here and I am not needing lots of warm clothing when I swim. I felt practically naked swimming without a wetsuit today.

It wasn't until I looked at the photo that I realized that a Wrasse was hiding under this turtle.

Great Beach Day

Another great beach day today.

Patti's Birthday on Lanai

Most of Maui's Pink Cap Swimmers headed to the neighboring island of Lanai yesterday to celebrate Patti's birthday.

We played in wild water, saw lots of critters, got banged up a little, but definitely had lots of fun.

Click HERE for lots more photos from Sunday's adventures.

Lip Licking Good

 I met a very friendly shark this morning who kept swimming right up to me. I assume that licking of the lips is a sign of friendliness, right?

I also met some friendly people as well, both on land and in the water.

Intense Sunlight

Lots and lots of butterflies were clustering along the shore this morning.

Shade was most welcome this morning. Even though the temperatures are not hot, sunlight is intense this time of year.

No Better

How could life be any better?

Turtle Soup

 I was lucky enough to swim with Maui's Mermaids (and their hangers-on) this morning.

We encountered Turtles, Turtles and more Turtles - it was like Turtle Soup out there.

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

Hairdo Umbrellas Stretching

 What I saw on my walk along the shore this morning.

A great hairdo, lots of umbrellas, stretching.

55 and Alive

 The Maui Pink Cap Swimmers celebrated George's aging up with an ocean swim and potluck brunch on shore this morning.

The birthday boy was bedecked with traditional (and not so traditional) leis.

Click HERE for more photos from today's fun times.

Always Follow the Manta

I saw a Manta Ray deep below me in the murk during my ocean swim this morning. I dove down to it and, once it saw me, it began to follow me around. Not only that, but it flipped over, showed me its belly and climbed up close to me.

Past experience has taught me that it is always worthwhile to stick with a Manta, and today was no exception. I swam with it until it got bored with me and disappeared in the gloom - leaving me in the presence of a number of Spinner Dolphins.

Set Out a Grid

Visiting school groups like to study the tidal pools at the north end of Keawakapu beach, and the first step is always to set out a grid.

Fine by the Turtles

 The U.S. Coast Guard was doing fitness training this morning on Big Beach, and the girls were not too impressed. In fact, the turtle which crawled up on shore to enjoy the sun got a lot more attention than the guys did.

Which was fine by the turtles.

Antarctica Visitors

The Maui Pink Cap Swimmers saw lots of turtles in unbelievably perfect ocean conditions this morning.

We also chatted with a couple on a small sailboat who had sailed around the tip of South America (and along the shore of Antarctica) on their way here from Norway.

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

Gone Too Long

 I got to swim with some of Maui's Mermaids this morning as we welcomed the Admiral back into the ocean after (what felt like) an extended absence.

We saw lots of fish and sea turtles and I had a great time.

Cary Grant Never Looked this Good

Doug takes care of all of the automobiles on property, the most recent arrival being a 1953 Sunbeam Talbot Mark 1 Alpine. Cary Grant never looked this good.

The Beach that Wasn't

I find it amusing that the Wailea Marriott has recently changed its name to the Wailea Beach Resort. Why does that make me smile? Because they are the only oceanfront resort in Wailea which does not have a beach. That's why.

There are beautiful sandy beaches on either side within easy walking distance, though.