Be Kind

Today, I spotted a swimmer using his go-pro stick to poke into an octo-den! The nerve. Did he not understand the Marine Preserve part of Hanauma Bay?

So I took his picture, followed him out and accosted him on the beach. Letting him know that poking the animals is not cool! I was sorry I didn't video him doing it; if I had, I would have reported him. He thanked me for the info and then told me that someone stole his stuff off the beach. Karma is a .....!

On to the good part of the dive: 7 octopuses! And a Scribbled Filefish. Barred Filefish. Nice water, too.

 You can see its eye and siphon. Good hiding spot, eh?

This is what I first saw: 

#2 hiding in its den

 It came out just a little bit when I swam away a bit.

But it never came out very far.










Neither did #3. You can see the white of its siphon at the upper right.

This one, #4, I found because the Trevally was circling. Poor octopus...

And then a Humu joined the team.

Humu 5 showing its dark brown

 and then its normal color.

 It was a small one.

A pretty good hiding place. You can see #6's eye and siphon. It did blow sand at me.

You can see how someone not going slowly could miss seeing this one.

This is #7, the one that the guy tried to poke out of the den. Unsuccessful. Thank God.

 One of the octopuses with the surrounding urchins.

I do love finding the little dears.

And before I forget, the earling morning sky:

 Since it lightened up early, I jumped in early, too. 
The Moon over the hills, through the clouds.

It's supposed to storm later, so I'm glad I got in early.

 What's not to love? 

3 biggish Trevally swam through. 

 An Abudefduf looked at me.

As did the Barred Filefish. Look at those teeth...

 Big Eye Emperor. This was taken early on, before the sun really rose, so it's not a great shot.

 Big parrot fish

 And a small Cornet fish.

Humu from different angles

And another operculum that is still right there where I found it. 

 Ornate Butterfly Fish

Palani

Octopus peeking at me.

 They always sink down under cover when you get closer.

Porcupine Puffer. Look at those spines!

Scribbled Filefish 

 Tiny Sergeant Major

 Tear Drop Butterfly

Trevally

A very nice swim, though a bit marred by the jerk. I hope he learned something! And props to God for creating all these very pretty creatures.

Trade-offs

Who knew that moving back to Oahu would mean missing the little Trunk Fish?

I asked one of the other regular swimmers if he sees them; he said no. I also have yet to see a Rockmover Wrasse, although my friend has posted a photo. I haven't seen 'em yet.

I have noted some fish that seem more prevalent here on Oahu, at least in Hanauma Bay: Picasso Trigger Fish. Bird Wrasse. And the amazing Lined Butterfly:

(Note also the Humu pair on the left.) The Lined Butterfly fish are much bigger than the Threadfin Butterfly fish. They have that large body (some say as big as a dinner plate!) and the black large line along their backs.

 Like the other butterfly fishes, they are usually seen in pairs.

They rather swim as if the reef belongs to them. 
Compare to the Threadfin:

We must not forget the stars of the show: he'e!
I snagged pictures of 3 today:

 Above, hiding well in its den, surrounded by rocks. And below, #2 is in there.

 I love it when they peek at me!

 This one eventually relaxed around me and showed more of its body.

 I don't think the Orange Spined Unicorn even saw the octopus!

Look at those spines!
And this is the photo for sale at the Gift Shop. So really, it was the first octopus of the day.....

Other excitement was the big Trevally. A group of 4, I think. But let me know what you think:

 This is the first one I saw. They were hanging together.

 I think there might be 4 in the photo below....one just ahead of the one closest to the camera.

 They do get your attention, even just for their size.

They are totally disinterested in people, though. 

 My friend on Kauai has no idea what a FULL BEACH is! This was pretty early in the day, too.

Abudefduf

 Barred Filefish was hungry.

This was one of the bigger Wana I have seen. It was hiding in a rock.

 This is the Brighteye Chromis with that unusual coloring. Still haven't researched why. 

Cone shell hiding.

 The female Bird Wrasse.

Trevally fishing with Goat fish.

 I like the Picasso Trigger, especially with a bit of light.

 "OH?"

 Needle Fish. Not enough light to really show it.

 Parrot Fish. Loved the coloration.

You can see its spike, too. It can raise it when it feels like it.

 Before the sun came up. You can see rain offshore. Some fell on us, but from the other direction.

 There were a lot of people awaiting the sunrise.

 But it was worth it.

 The Barred Filefish showing its teeth.

I am enjoying the swimming on Oahu, so far. But I wish the reef were in better shape!