The Nicest

I meet the nicest people (and critters) out in the ocean. And today was no exception.

Don't and Don't

I noticed new signs at all of the beach parks this morning listing the various don'ts and don'ts for park use. You would think they could have included at least one "do", such as "enjoy the beach." But maybe that's not allowed either.

We're still having some nice sunsets, especially after the sun has been down for a bit.

Too Much Fun

Only eight of us showed up for the usual swim Sunday, which meant we could be more flexible and go our own ways.

Our tiny fun group explored rocky inlets along the coast and various coral reefs in great detail. I was having such a good time that I forgot to take more photos than just these three.

On a Mission

I got to hang with some underwater critters during my ocean swim this morning, including this little crab which was on a mission to get as far as possible. It wasn't stopping for anyone or anything.

Only Seven Minutes

What a difference a few minutes make. By waiting only seven minutes, the middle photo sunset transformed into the top photo sunset. Well worth sticking around for.

It was good seeing Mark, Barry and Rupert again this morning.

Warning of a Warning

Due to warnings of a High Surf Warning, very few of Maui's Mermaids showed up for an ocean swim this morning. But for those of us who did, we had a lovely time.

2 Manta Rays and a Chicken

Maui's Pink Cap swimmers were visited by two Manta Rays yesterday morning. In fact the Fun Group was led most of the way back to home base by one of the Mantas.

Then, when Lynne was changing out of her swim gear, a chicken decided it wanted to roost on her dashboard, and did not want to leave.

Click HERE for more photos of Sunday's ocean swim adventures.

New Hunter

This morning it was a young open-ocean Blacktip Shark herding the baitball, and it was doing a great job. The smaller fishies were keeping it tight. Almost an hour later a lifeguard came zooming up on a jetski and told me to get out of the water due to a shark sighting.

Meanwhile, a Green Sea Turtle seemed to be oblivious to all the action.

Phenomenal Colors

These high clouds yesterday evening were a strong indicator that the post sunset colors would be phenomenal, and they were!

Recently, I've been noticing more and more people posing for their friends on the beach.

Deadly Hunters

Three Kawakawa Tuna were herding a very large school of Akule this morning. The Akule were definitely on the run, I was never able to get a photograph of them which wasn't blurry as they sped by, constantly changing directions. The cool thing is that I could hear a swish of water each time the smaller fish made a turn.

Torn Away

 We've been fortunate enough to experience a number of stunning sunsets recently. Of course, it helps that we've made an effort to tear ourselves away from the teevee screen for a half-hour each evening.

Beach weddings are a daily fact of life on Maui, but I hadn't noticed the sharing of a cup before yesterday.

Spa Waters

Maui's Pink Cap swimmers luxuriated in warm ocean waters yesterday, and even managed to motivate themselves enough to get some exercise as well.

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

Find the Flounder

Top photo - Find the Flounder

Middle photo - Friendly Green Sea Turtle

Bottom photo - Rare Hawksbill Turtle

Two Heads

Yet another perfect morning in Paradise.

The beast with two heads.

Perfect end to a perfect day.

Treat

Lucky me, I got to swim with some of Maui's Mermaids this morning. What a treat!

Happy Birthday Anne

Maui's Pink Cap swimmers helped Anne celebrate her birthday with a swim at her choice of location, an evening at the theatre, and some fine dining out on the town.

Click HERE for more photos of the festivities.

Colorful and Very Noisy

It used to be rare to see Green Sea Turtles hauled up on shore sunning themselves, but it is becoming a more and more common sight.

Also more often seen are "bouncy castles" at the beach parks every weekend. They are colorful and very noisy. Each one has a gas-powered generator which drives the fan which keeps it inflated. 

Mid Eighties

The ocean temperature is now in the mid-eighties and it feels heavenly to simply float near shore.

And we're still getting some mighty nice sunsets.