This is just another in a series of distraction diaries. It is offered as a respite from the struggles of the day, and a gentle reminder that we share this small rock with some amazing creatures.
This handsome fellow is a Yellowmargin Moray (Gymnothorax flavimarginatus). The Hawaiian name, puhi paka, means "fierce eel". They are large and can get up to four feel long. This one is about 2.5 feet long.
They get their name from the yellow margin on their tail.
A pair of Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula). They get their name from their habit of washing small prey such as snails with their tiny hands. They often occur in pairs.
Banded Sea Urchin (Echinothrix calamaris)
Gray's or Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostrus longirostrus).
They get their name from their spectacular corkscrewing leaps.
This is a composite photo of one leap. You can see the remora clinging to its right side between the pectoral and dorsal fins. These jumps appear joyful but they may also be attempting to dislodge the annoying remora.
One more, because you really can't get enough dolphin action can you?
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus)
Whitemouth Moray (Gymnothorax meleagris)
They are named for... well.
Redbarred Hawkfish (Cirrhitops fasciatus). Hawaiian endemic species.
Arc-Eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) These are very common reef fish in Hawaii and they pose nicely for photos.
Blackside Hawkfish (Paracirrhites fosteri). They are named for the Fosters, the father and son naturalists that accompanied Captain Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific.
As a relative novice to closeup photography underwater I have come to appreciate the eels and they hawkfish because they are excellent posers. Of course I am going to end up with a lot of hawkfish and eel photos.
A much more challenging subject is the Yellowtail Coris (Coris gaimard). They do not sit still and pose like the hawkfish. This is not a great photo but I thought I would include it because this fish is so beautiful.
Orange Cup Coral (Tubastraea coccinea). This is a soft coral.
Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari). I don't know if there is a more graceful sight underwater than a school of eagle rays swimming in formation. This individual appears to have multiple spines at the base of its tail.
And now for some boobies! (Yeah I keep using the same trick to lure people to these photo diaries. I have used it so often I am surprised that is still seems to work)
Red-Footed Booby (Sula sula)
Liftoff
Another Red-Footed in flight.
Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) and Brown Noddies (Anous stolidus pileatus). This is my first photo of a masked booby. I didn't realize it wasn't a red-footed until I got home and saw it on the computer.
And no, unfortunately I do not have any blue-footed booby shots. They are not commonly found in Hawaii.
Since this IS Hawaii and there have been a series of nice south swells recently I will finish with this departure...
Here is a slideshow of these and some more shots...
Please feel free to post your photos and, as always, be good humans.
Aloha