Happy Birthday Shaun

A crazy surface chop made this morning's ocean swim more than just a little bit challenging - and fun.

Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Plain Versus Fancy

 I often drive to the end of my street to experience a little bit of wilderness. Keoneoio has wild water for swimming and rough lava and kiawe trees for hiking.

In contrast, just a short distance the other way is ritzy Wailea beach, where crystal chandeliers hanging under the open sky are not unheard of.

Thankful

 Thanksgiving morning was perfect for an ocean swim. Besides, we had to work off the turkey dinner to come.

I had lots of fun both below water and above, and am tremendously grateful for everything about my life.

Click HERE for more photos from our Thanksgiving.

Overeating Lesson

 Once again, her lightening fast reflexes allowed Patti to catch a fish with her bare hands this morning. It didn't hurt that this Moray Eel had recently eaten more than it could handle and was a bit sluggish.

Which provides us with a timely lesson - don't eat more than you can handle this Thanksgiving.

Impending Disaster

I am accustomed to seeing giant land snails on the ground, which is where they belong. But this morning I saw them climbing walls and trees. Is there something they know that I don't? An impending disaster, perhaps?

I wasn't thrilled with any of the Koi photos I took this morning, so I thought I'd goof around with special effects...

Another Double Birthday Swim

 We had yet another spectacular double birthday swim this morning. We got to celebrate both Jonathan & Lynne's increasing ages.

For his birthday wish, Jonathan got us to swim out to the sunken WWII Landing Craft which lies at a depth of 60 feet.

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

Failed Escape

I managed to sneak out of the office for a few minutes this morning. But I didn't get far before getting caught by the boss. Here are a couple of quick snapshots from my all-too-brief excursion.

Good News, Bad News, Good News, Bad News...

 My goodness, where does the time go?

I've been out of the office on assignment all week. I get rather focused while shooting, often forgetting to eat. The good news is that I lost ten pounds. The bad news is that it never occurred to me to post on my blog. The good news is that I'm now back in my office where I can post once again. The bad news is that I won't be leaving my computer for the next week. [sigh]

Happy Birthday Toni & Josh

 It was yet another perfect morning for a Sunday ocean swim. Welllll, the water started out a little choppy, but the waves subsided and we had a marvelous return swim.

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

Invisible Passion

 Monarch Butterflies are everywhere right now. No matter where I go, I see them flitting around and often chasing each other. With today's photos I can see that they aren't simply playing a game of tag.

Passion Flowers are once again blooming in the lava fields. This time they are much smaller than they were after the rains; and if you were standing next to me, you probably wouldn't even notice them next to your feet. I certainly did not realize they were there until I saw some butterflies land on them.

Big Brother is Watching

 I used to love all the freedom I found when I moved to Maui. Where has it all gone? The entrance to Big Beach (top photo) used to be a small sandy road and that's all. No gates, no signs listing all the many, many taboos. My favorite newest sign is the one I circled - basically saying the beach is off limits to the public.

Fortunately, no one tried to stop me from going to the beach today where I got to swim in lovely clear water with fishies and turtles, and even saw some butterflies on shore.

Clever Gecko

This clever gecko waits for its food to come to it, knowing that flowers attract insects.

Sunburned Fishies

 I think these Goatfish (top photo) need to stay out of the sun - they're looking a little too pink.

Sunday Ocean Fun

This morning was another perfect one for a Sunday ocean swim with the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers. Click HERE for lots more photos from today's swim.

Beach Walkers

I had forgotten how many extremely fit, beautiful young women walk Baldwin beach on an average week day.

I Could Be Converted

 My buddy, Vinnie, is recently returned from an extended vacation on Sicily. Being a virtuoso in the kitchen, he shared some of his discoveries from their kitchens in a small class this morning.

His presentation was, as always, both educational and entertaining. And even though it was composed almost exclusively of fresh vegetables, his Caponata (middle photo) was unbelievably DELICIOUS.

It would be worth becoming a vegetarian if I could eat such incredible food every day. Oh, and the other dishes were spectacular as well.

Warm and Cool

I'm still loving the warmth of our ocean water. At the end of my swim this morning I was feeling a bit chilled, so winter is definitely on its way, but it is not here yet.

Getting Lucky

 

 Yesterday's post was of dead butterflies, which I must say are certainly easier to photograph than today's live ones. The wind was whipping the plants back and forth and most of my attempts did not contain any insects. Here are a couple where I got lucky.

Deconstruction

Ants were busy deconstructing this Monarch butterfly this morning.

Just as people were busy doing the same to a pair of Kiawe trees.

The Next Generation

 As I continue to get older and seriously more wrinkled, it is absolutely wonderful to see fresh young faces show up for the Maui Pink Cap Sunday swims. Hooray for the next generation and their enthusiasm and joy.

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