Who Goes There

Two Turtles and numerous Fishies swam right up to me this morning as if to ask, "Who goes there?"

I guess they don't recognize me now that I'm sporting my annual buzz cut.

A Little Vague

I got to swim with Maui's Mermaids and one of their Manta Ray buddies this morning.

For some reason, the Mantas seem to enjoy hanging out in shallow, murky water, so my photos of them always seem a little vague.

Naked Feet

The Maui Pink Cap swimmers expressed solidarity this morning with one of our own who is preparing for an ocean swim race where fins are not allowed. So most of us swam with naked feet. I did not realize it was possible to swim without fins - what a shock to learn that I could.

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

Squeezably Soft

I don't remember the squeezably soft Paperbark Eucalyptus tree as having these bottlebrush-type flowers, but the leaves seem right, so I guess it really is a member of the eucalyptus family.

Shell Ginger are also in bloom right now.

Nice and Easy

Just a nice, easy swim on a lovely Maui morning today.

No Chicks or Eggs

I was saddened to see this bird's nest on the ground this morning. Every day at lunch for the past week we've been watching a very small bird constructing her nest while her colorful mate serenades her from his nearby perch. Fortunately, there were not any chicks or eggs inside.

Some day I hope to have the opportunity to do a full photo shoot of my favorite building on Maui. Until then I will continue taking snapshots from the street as I walk by.

Always Fascinating

I swam with a select few Mermaids this morning with stops at the Aquarium and Wonderland.

King George hung out with us for a while and one of the always fascinating Nudibranchs crept on by.

Volcanic Eruption

For those of you who have been wondering about the volcanic eruptions on the Big Island of Hawaii, we have experienced zero impact here on Maui. The active volcano is about 100 miles (160 km) away and we feel nothing, we hear nothing and we see nothing. On rare occasions the winds change from their usual "trade wind" direction and we then experience air pollution (called vog), but it has been awhile since that has happened. So we imagine what it must be like when we see the sun currently setting behind the neighboring island of Lanai.

I have seen these shells on the beach, but this is the first time I've seen one of their inhabitants.

Happy Birthday Patti

Visibility was way less than spectacular (rotten, actually) for Patti's birthday swim this morning, but we didn't let that stop us. No Way.

We may not have seen much, but we had fun, fun, fun. And on his last swim, Ted took no less than six rides through a cranking slosh.

Click HERE for more photos from today's FUN.

Mothers Day

 Mothers were front and center on a creature-filled mothers day swim this past Sunday (I know, I know, I'm late posting).

Click HERE for lots more photos from a beautiful Sunday ocean swim.

Shhhh

I am totally slammed with work right how (hooray) and only had time for a brief encounter with Maui's Mermaids this morning.

Since I only took a couple of photos, it didn't take long to upload them here -- shhhh, just please don't tell my boss.

Soon

Yes, this is me this morning without a wetsuit.

No, it is not yet that warm, but soon...

Rays and Sharks and More

I have so much fun swimming with Maui's Mermaids and all their underwater creature friends.

This morning we had quality time with a Manta Ray, a Spotted Eagle Ray, four Black Tip Reef Sharks, and turtles and fish and...

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

Cinco de Mayo (plus one)

The Maui Pink Cap swimmers ventured off the beaten path for our newish First Sunday of the Month swim, and were rewarded with at least one Manta Ray, several Lobsters and three visiting Swimmers.

Click HERE for more photos of today's adventures.

True Miracle

I had a fun swim out to the Aquarium this morning with my buddy, Beth.

We were both struggling a bit on the return, but were saved by the appearance of three angels in pink caps. With superhuman strength and perseverance they brought us much of the way to shore. And then a true miracle occurred when lifeguards on jetskis showed up. There are never lifeguards out in this area, but somehow they showed up today just when they were needed most. Many thanks to Maui's lifeguards.

By the way, we are both fine now.

Even with Clouds

Thank goodness for Maui's Mermaids, they motivate me to get out into the ocean, even on cloudy days.

And, as is so often the case, I had a great swim. Not to mention a wonderful poetry recital out in the Aquarium.