Chilly Duplicate

I escaped the summer heat this morning with a walk through a mixed deciduous/pine forest in upcountry Maui. Brrrr it was chilly and everything was a lovely green, which was quite a contrast to the hot Makena desert. I liked this one spot so much that I am posting two versions of the exact same photograph. Enjoy

Small and Fun

It must be summer vacation time, why else would so few people be showing up for our Sunday swims? Small groups are fun groups, and today was no exception.

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

Not Today

 The truth is that tropical waters are relatively devoid of wildlife. Yes, the waters surrounding Maui are mostly a wet desert. Which is why I get so excited when I see a school of fish and start taking lots of photographs.

But not today, today was different. I was surrounded by school after swirling school of fish. Most of them kept just far enough away from me that I knew any photographs would not come out. And the Halfbeaks above I wasn't even able to identify until I got home and saw them on my computer. Hundreds of them in their school.

Anyway, it was a glorious day for experiencing an abundance of fish.

Flying Low, Flying High

Because I photograph buildings for a living, I enjoy getting the chance to watch somebody else do the same thing. Especially when they do it differently.

One of my neighbors was having his home photographed for a real estate listing, and the photographer was working by remote control from a little helicopter. How cool.

If you want something photographed from the air, check them out at: multicoptermaui.com 

Like Bats Out of H...

These two Spotted Eagle Rays came flying past me this morning like bats out of hades, soon to be followed by a third one. It turns out they weren't fleeing a predator but were, instead, late for a party. I did not see the big gathering, but snorkelers in the area told me of lots of them all together. 

Nerdvanna

Today I was in Nerdvanna.

Wait a second! How is it I've never heard that word used before this moment when I just made it up? It sounds very nerdy, exactly the kind of word to be bandished around the nerdosphere. Hmmm.

Anyway, I got to play with a giant telescope on top of the mountain this morning in the guise of "photographing" it. What a cool toy.

And on my descent from the mountaintop, I stopped to walk through the mists of a native forest, and spotted several birds endemic to Maui. I was totally stoked! Wow. What a day!

Clarity

This morning the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers flew through the clearest water we have ever experienced. Yes, it was like flying through the air, the water was that clear.

And because visibility was so great, we also spotted the most Green Sea Turtles that we've seen in a long time. What a great morning.

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

Problem Solved

What with all the concern about sharks lately, seeing fins breaking the surface of the water near shore this morning was of some small concern.

No worries! Just seven playful Spotted Eagle Rays.

But they were totally invisible to my camera. I could see them fine, but the photos only showed the surface of the water. What to do? Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I took my sunglasses off and held them up to the camera. Problem solved.

Okay, now I want to know what all this nonsense is about digital cameras requiring "circular polarizing filters?" Huh! I think that myth has been sucessfully debunked.

Life's a Beach

Even after twenty-two years I still have not gotten over the thrill of living on the beach on a tropical island. Wow!

One of These Days

This was one of those summer mornings perfect for laying in the shade of a tree and enjoying the passing breeze.

Which, of course, meant I was out on another of my death marches. One of these days I'll learn...

Bad Day, Excellent Day

Today was not a good day to encounter dolphins. The water was still murky in spots from way back when Tropical Depression Flossie passed through with her rain causing mud to run into the ocean. I was repeatedly startled when large dark shapes suddenly swam toward me. Even though I knew they were probably dolphins, in the gloom I could never be sure until they were right on top of me.

On the other hand it was a spectacular day for photographing dolphins. The muddy water made a nice dark backdrop for glowing dolphin bodies once they got close enough for me to see them. Even then, my camera saw them much better than I did.

Check out this morning's spectacular photos by clicking HERE.

Bumpy Ride

The Maui Pink Cap Swimmers were in their element this morning with a challenging wind chop.

Making up for swallowing untold gallons of seawater on the way out was the delightful return swim with the waves at our back.

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Don't They Know Who I AM !?!

 I just started my swim this morning when a group of Spinner Dolphins went racing by me.

They didn't slow down, they didn't stop to say Hello, they did not even acknowlege me! They must not have realized that I am the Dolphin Dude, and it must be because I wasn't wearing my usual pink swim cap.

White Carpet Disaster

For those who love drama, what's cooler than a Maui Cane Fire? For those with respiratory ailments, or even worse, white carpeting, not so cool.

The obligatory post SUP family photo at Polo Beach.

No Exception

I get to see all sorts of exotic creatures on my ocean swims, and this morning was no exception.

Ideal Staycation

I never really got the concept of "Staycation." Many of my friends are thrilled to check into a local beach resort, but I always wondered why that was special? I guess the fact that I already live in a gorgeous home on the beach, and they don't, makes all the difference.

But today I finally understood. We drove over to Lahaina for the evening and wandered the streets before settling in to one of the best meals we've experienced in years. Wow! And then strolled along Front Street and stopped for dessert from one of the numerous small vendors. What a treat. I guess we have been away from an urban environment for way too long, and that is what I had been missing. My ideal staycation would definitely be in the heart of town, surrounded by restaurants, museums, shops and people. What fun.

Some Small Change

Hmmm. Same beach, same angle, but different people. At least there is some small change from one day's photographs to the next.

Reluctant Me

I've been nervous about swimming recently. Rain from Tropical Storm Flossie caused a lot of dirt and debris to run off into the ocean, so the water has been way less than clear. Add to that the sightings of some big sharks in the area and you get a reluctant me.

On the other hand, I cannot stay away from the water. I just can't do it. And I'm glad I went in. While conditions were not perfect, they sure were'nt terrible.