Different Vantage

Surf's up again on the South shores of Maui. Which means poor visibility and dangerous swimming, but excellent surfing.

So when I cut my ocean swim short this morning, I decided to check out the surfers on my way back in and got my first ever in-water surf shots.  Fun.

Bubbling with Joy

 I was glowing with joy and bubbling with happiness as I emerged from the ocean this morning.

The water was at its warmest, so it was truly a joy to spend two and a half hours swimming with several Manta Rays, a Spotted Eagle Ray, several Sea Turtles, countless fishies and, best of all, the fun group of Maui Pink Cap Swimmers.

What a day!

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Pushing Boundaries

 The ocean was unusually calm again this morning, perfect for exploring caves and tunnels, both above water and below.

My adventurous friends, Patti & Janet, even managed to get me to swim into places I don't normally go.

Me and Monet

Me and Monet. What is it about water lilies?

Many Happy Returns

What fun having the newlyweds back in the ocean again.

As well as one of our own from days past who has moved on up to being an "elite" swimmer. Come back and swim with us anytime, Rick.

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

Unabashed Yellowness

Yellow Tang are probably my favorite fish, due entirely to their pure, unabashed yellowness.

Another One

Just another beautiful summer day...

A Day Too Early

I really should not have swum today.

Recent high surf has stirred up the ocean and visibility has been slow to recover; well, sort of, considering some big sets are still rolling in. Maybe I'm just a bit too impatient to be back swimming.

Anyway, the only reason I got to see this Spotted Eagle Ray this morning was because it swam up to me to say, "Hi!"

Beach Sand Scrub

The recent spate of high surf has robbed us of our pretty little sandy beach.

Not to worry, though. This happens every few years and the sand will be back all nice and clean in a few months. This scrubbing of our beach is actually a very nice service provided by mother nature. Thank you.

WOW!

 THIS is why you hire a professional photographer!

Do you think shots like these happen by themselves? No way!

Although I took these snapshots yesterday at my friends' wedding, they were all carefully staged by a professional wedding photographer (whose name I do not yet know) while I cheated and shot from behind her.

All I can say is, WOW!

Surf Shots

 Surf was too high and the water too murky for a safe ocean swim this morning, so what to do?

Go photograph surfers, of course.

I'm loving the super zoom feature of my newest teeny-tiny point-and-shoot pocket camera.

Popping Mushrooms

Our mornings are spectacular, but recently we've been getting some pretty solid afternoon downpours. So, mushrooms have been popping up all over the place.

Support from Below

At least four Spotted Eagle Rays kept me company during my ocean swim this morning. Which was good, because I really needed the emotional support. 

I have been working hard at a big photo shoot this week and have not made the time for any exercise. Today's swim was a struggle, but having an escort was really encouraging and made a big difference.

Greatest Job

I've been streamside all week taking photographs for the landowner.

I have the world's greatest job!

Goofy Wedding

Part of the fun of walking the beach is never knowing who or what you'll see.

This morning was a very goofy wedding where the guests were strongly encouraged to dance along with the silly music.

And there was this guy who stayed in his head stand for the entire time I was on the beach.

Final Days of Freedom

 It felt so very good to be back swimming with my friends, the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers this morning (I've been working too much and swimming too little).

And a special welcome back to Josh in his final days of freedom.

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

Going OFF

 Dragonfruit cactus flowers were going OFF this morning down at the end of my road.

Their size is what makes them especially impressive, with the flowers about a foot across. They all bloom together on one night and quickly shrivel and fall off in the hot morning sun.

I am so happy to have encountered their one day of blossoming.

Fish & Flowers

Today my eye was caught by lily ponds filled with Koi.