The bad news from the Gulf is relentless and there have been many great diaries here on the Orange Satan. As ususal I am just posting my normal photo diary format, meant as a reminder of the beauty of the natural world, but to me it takes on a little more meaning these days. I imagine how I would feel if there were a well spewing millions of gallons of oil into the ocean fifty miles off Oahu (geologically impossible of course).
I hope you enjoy these photos of some natural beauty sans oil!
Spinner Dolphin
A species also present in the Gulf.
Green Turtle
Our beloved Honu.
Green Turtle
Disturbed from an afternoon snooze in 27 feet of water. Another species present in the Gulf along with several other speceis including the critically endangered Kemp's Ridley.
Green Turtle
Getting some air.
Pacific Trumpetfish
This fish followed us around for most of our dive.
Yellowmargin Moray and Banded Coral Shrimp
You can see the namesake coloring on the tail in this shot.
Yellowmargin Moray
After diving the same spots for many months you get to know the individual critters and their hangouts.
Commerson's Frogfish
For example this frogfish that hangs out along the stern of the wreck we often dive. I am not sure why I even bother trying to get its photo with this lens because it doesn't look like anything other than an encrusted rock. There is actually an eye and a mouth located near the top of the rock in this photo.
Frogfish Eye
Here is much closer look at the eye. Can you find it in the previous photo?
Spotted Eagle Ray
it is always a thrill to see these beautiful and graceful creatures soaring by.
Eagle Ray Face
...but they have rather comical faces
Yellow Tang
These fish are greatly in demand by the home aquarium industry which takes a reported two million fish (some estimates range up to ten million actual) from Hawaiian waters. In January over 600 dead fish were found dumped on the Big Island, mostly Yellow Tangs. While there are a few marine areas protected from aquarium collectors there are not nearly enough of them.
Dwarf Moray and Leviathan Cowry
A contrast in descriptors huh?
Wire Coral Goby
Another critter I have come to expect when I dive this site. It is very tiny and hard to see.
Day Octopus
My personal favorite invertebrate.
Spanish Rose
The eggs of a the Spanish Dancer Nudibranch
We will finish with some spinner dolphins doing their thing...
Please feel free to use this as a community photo diary and please, please be good humans.
If you have a problem with this diary I refer you to the Complaint Department:
She'll get right on it.
Aloha