Green and Yellow

With all the recent rain the wildflowers are going off. Everything that was brown and dead in the prolonged drought last year is now verdantly lush.

More big sets rolled in on west facing shores this morning, making getting in and out a challenge. My heart was racing yesterday morning at the end of our swim when I timed my exit from the ocean for between sets. I almost waited one too many, but got out unmangled. It should be interesting dragging my kayak out tomorrow morning. Stay tuned.

Vigilant Escorts

Maka-Mai is so proud that she gets to wear the same color suit that her father wears on the Sunday ocean swims. She is an amazing escort, keeping her eyes on him at all times.

Good thing, too. The water was way too murky today for swimming. A very wise first group turned back when the conditions were bad. The remainder heard someone advise that the water would get clearer further out, and took off swimming out to sea. Visibility did NOT get better and a smart second group decided to return to shore, while that same voice reported that water was clearer further out, and a few continued deeper. The ocean finally cleared up but several swimmers decided that they were far too far from shore and headed back. The remaining group (photo left) reveled in crystalline water reverberating with Humpback Whale singing. We saw hints of whales on the surface but were not approached by any today. Maybe next Sunday...

Click HERE for more photos from this morning's swim.

Calm and Quiet

Another calm, quiet, toasty Pacific morning. Even stand-up paddlers were making the 6 mile round trip to Molokini. Me? I went back to bed after a late night. Hmmm. A nap right now sounds mighty good...

Popping Personalities

I passed a beach wedding this morning and took a quick snapshot. Interesting. If you dress everyone the same in very plain clothes, their personalities clearly reveal themselves (or so it seems).

Big Smiles All Around

Just as these two Humpback Whales swam by putting on a big show, a small juvenile whale surfaced next to my teeny-tiny little kayak. Which way to look? Which one to photograph?

I stuck my camera over the side and randomly pushed the shutter button. Two shots actually got most of the small whale in the frame.

By then the two big whales had moved closer and I was able to get the photos above and below of tail slaps and fluke slaps.

Everyone had a great time and we all went our separate ways with big smiles on our faces (whales can smile, right?).

Maui Morning Rush Hour

Keawakapu Beach was crowded this morning with runners, walkers, swimmers, and many more.

Personal Trainer

I've noticed that Humpback Whales usually wait until my swim is almost over before stopping by to say, "Hi!"

They wait an hour because either: a) it takes that long for them to become curious about the lunatic deep-water swimmer, or b) it takes them that long to become comfortable around me, or c) they don't want to interrupt my swim workout.

Anyway, this juvenile swam right up to me exactly one hour after I began my swim this morning. It congratulated me on a good swim workout then went its way.