With improved surface conditions we also had some improved visibility. Took the macro setup out for a spin. While not all pics turned out exceptional, the Harlequin Shrimp did their part to make the day worth the effort.
Summer South Swell Season
Touring the Bluffs in Summer
Took a short ride out to a typical Kauai, HI diving location named Turtle Bluffs. Two Frogfish nestled up against one another. There’s some debate as to whether these are Commerson or Painted frogfish but I really think they are Commersons. Also snapped some quick pics of a few other local residents. Enjoy!
Opening Ni’ihau Season
Kauai Frogs and Fire
After February left us and poor diving conditions behind, we finally had great weather and oceans to greet us in March 2023. Two amazing finds on these southern Kauai dives: frogfish (not one but two!) and a flame angel! The latter is one of my favorite ocean friends so I work hard to get a decent picture of this shy, fast, small, burst of red. And, if you look closely in the frogfish pictures you might spot an extra critter or two as well. Another amazing day in the ocean.
Summer Trip to Lehua, Hawaii
Amazing weather in the northwest Hawaiian islands made for a great trip out to Lehua. The water was welcoming both above and below the surface and, as usual, there was lots to see in this remote corner of the ocean. The sharks were out and plentiful today as were lots of other fish (and one non-cooperative Japanese Knifejaw). And while many of the monk seals were out and about today, one chose to swing by and pose for some pictures today.
Family Diving – June 2022
June 2022’s Ni’ihau diving
Another magical trip out to Ni’ihau to visit the local underwater residents and they were certainly out in force. Despite some rough seas and a stiff wind, the underwater time was excellent and well spent with new friends. Was hard to narrow down some of the Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) photos so you get to browse through an assortment of them from this trip. Enjoy!
Early May on the South side of Kauai
Took a different camera diving this trip: a Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ inside of a Diveroid housing. Pics turned out OK. Much easier to maneuver than my typical camera rig but not quite as much control over image details. Also, there’s a quick video of two Kauai pygmy Angels as well that was recorded with our GoPro wedged into a reef crevice. Enjoy!
Small Angels
South side of Kauai diving today and just hunting for some good specimens that were acting photogenic. Large shoals of Pyramid Butterflies (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) and Bluestripe Snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) making their way around the reef. The very shy but major in heart and minor in size stars of the show were two dwarf angelfish: the Flame Angel (Centropyge loricula) and the Fisher’s Angel (Centropyge fisheri). Both are small, fast, and hard to snap, but they did give us some glimpses today.