Octo-victory!

Conditions were better today and it was easier to find animals..including 2 octopuses!

 This octopus played hide and seek with me. It was more out of the den, but immediately upon seeing me, it sank back down. Gee, shy much? Of course, that's how they stay alive and uneaten, so I'm all for whatever it takes. Just because humans aren't supposed to fish here doesn't mean one of the eels won't!

 I am not positive there were 3 octopuses, so I'm only counting 2. One hid in a den that was remarkably similar to another den. They were also close; I'm thinking there's a chance that the first octopus moved to the other den....but cannot prove it. And below, you can just barely see the eye.

Eel hiding in a hole in the rocks. They were both big eels.

 This one kept watching me, so I didn't stick around too long.

I don't often see a parade of raccoons...

I recently saw the Disney movie of Aladdin, the one with Will Smith. It reminded me Abu-def duf.

 Blue lined snapper

 And a plaid cornet fish

Cowry. Still there. Can't pick 'em up!

Hikers on the mountain around the Bay.

 A small humu. They seem to keep muted colors while small.

 Gold eye Kole. Nice seersucker skin and golden eyes.

 A mess of convict tangs

An operculum that I didn't pick up. sniff sniff

 Ornate butterfly

 Palani. These are such pretty fish with the yellow and blue. When they raise their dorsal fin, the fin has nice blue and yellow lines.

 Picasso Trigger from above.

And with sunlight on its skin

 Red tailed snapper

 Sailfin tang

 Sergeant Major

 And a couple of shell halves that are still there.

 White shoulder surgeon

 Threadfin Butterfly

 Bluefin Trevally fishing with a Goatfish

 And another looking on its own for food

 Sergeant Major and Unicorn fish. This helps put in perspective the smaller size of the Sgt Major

 Wana and a toby. 

Very nice treat today to see clearer water. I plan to go beyond the reef someday soon. I've been hearing reports of Manta Rays out there.

Aloha to all the he'e!

I believe I said goodbye to the octopuses previously, but today I had a break in the moving plans and was able to swim again! YAY! But today is probably the final swim until we unpack on Oahu. I hope those octopuses are ready for me...

I saw 4 of the little darlings today:

 Yes, it really was in there. Before I was ready to snap a photo, I saw it slink down into its den...The lines in the water are bits of sand, moving with the current.

#2, I think.  

 Showing a bit of siphon.

The color changes are so amazingly quick. 

 Another hider.

 And #3, the smallest and most well hidden. I had to look very carefully to tell what it was.

This was in the deeper part, so it was harder to get close. I think the octopus probably liked it that way.

I think this is #4. It is surprising how hard it is to keep track. My personal record in octo-sightings is 24 at Hanauma Bay in one swim. The Ranger said: Are you sure you aren't just seeing the same one over and over again?!!! Oh those of little faith! 

 Farewell for a while, you 8 legged astounding creatures!

And of course, I had to say goodbye to other of my frequent "pals":

The 3rd seal was looking up. I believe these were all males...

 Banded snake eel surprised me! If you like, look up zebra moray, to compare and contrast.

Brighteye Chromis. Love these tiny, fast fish.

 A Cornet and some Needlefish. Interesting how they are so similar, yet different in physical appearance and behavior.

Awwww. A cute juvenile tang.

More Needlefish 

 Pencil Urchin. Taken with the microscope feature on my Olympus TG4 camera. Yay, Olympus!

When it's this deep, you can see the pinktail cavorting and trying to avoid my camera activities.

 This one kept scratching his belly. I would too, if I were lying in sand. That stuff can be very itchy.

Younger Pinktail. 

 One of the many reasons not to walk on the bottom: Wana. Anal sac is visible.

The reason this eel is called the Whitemouth Moray!

A very enjoyable swim. At least until the Bottom Walkers arrived. Can't give them all a lecture. I did have nice chats with two visitors, one of whom was from Vermont. She noted they were very happy to be here. No doubt!

I must say I am very grateful to God for His marvelous ocean creations. It has  been a good run on Kauai again. I hope and pray to see many more marvelous creatures in our new locale. 

OOPS! Almost forgot today's mystery sighting: It's a Cone Shell, covered in sea gunk (a technical term.) But are those eyes? And if so, are they the eyes of the shell?!

Sometimes, things remain a mystery. That's what makes it interesting.