Shore Hugger

 I'm afraid that all the recent talk about big bad tiger sharks (click HERE for most recent story), combined with not-so-clear water, kept me swimming close to shore this morning.

Which is actually a good thing since that is where most of the fishies and turtles hang out. And I certainly saw an abundance of little fishies this morning.

Glassy Fun

The Maui Pink Cap Swimmers had another fun, fun, fun swim in absolutely stellar conditions.

Well, the water could have been clearer, but it was glassy flat and gloriously warm.

And then Josh ran into six Spotted Eagle Rays for yet more fun.

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

Fallback Position

When I'm not feeling especially inspired to photograph anything (like today) then I resort to one of a handful of my fallback spots, places which I can't help but shoot because "they're so darn purty."

Bewitching Mermaids

I was bewitched by two real live mermaids this morning.

How do I know they were actually mermaids? Well, besides their stunning beauty, their superb mastery of swimming, and their siren songs, both of their names (Marcie and Mara) derive from the sea (el Mar).

Gotta Love It

Yet another perfect Maui morning. I love my life.

Hiding Spot

Two Trumpet Fish were tucked away, safe and sound, beneath this Hawksbill Turtle (above) this morning. I guess that's one way to avoid predators.

There's no way that method would work with regular Green Sea Turtles because they are often laying flat on the sea floor with no room to hide underneath. 

Sweet & Spicy

Other than encounters with a few little stinging critters to spice our swim up a bit, we had a sweet morning. The water is still gloriously warm and was unbelievably flat and calm. Perfect, perfect conditions for the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers.

It was also fun showing off our ocean to a few first-time (with us) visitors.

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