A barking seal, two octopuses, two leaf fishes, and more

It was a very nice swim today! Started off with this guy swimming from the kiddie pond to the deep side:

 The seal glided back over from the deep side to the kiddy side....I did the same thing two hours later: it was like a roller coaster! Didn't have to kick at all; the current swept me over and into the shallower side. That was great fun! Normally, the current goes from kiddy to deep, so this was a surprise and a total hit. Felt very cool.

 Here is Mr. Barky on the deeper side.  I liked the layers of this photo: the big waves, the smaller waves, the seal, then the other waves. Thankfully, the big waves didn't impact me too much, although it did contribute to the bubbly-ness of the water and the funky visibility.

Here he is, barking. You can see his mouth is open. He didn't like us on his beach. Of course, we backed up, so he could come in as he wished. He did for a bit, but then swept back out.

 And then in again.  Strong currents apparently don't concern him.

 These two pencil urchins were in small holes about 8 inches from each other. I wonder if they knew they had neighbors?

 We recently celebrated our 20th...cake from Japanese bakery nearby and Prosecco which we shared with our lovely neighbors!

 Lizard fish for Alex. It was probably 3 inches long. Very cute and very fast.

Basket shell, maybe an inch long. I love the textures and colors.

 This urchin had chosen wisely on the armoring: a cone shell piece! These are pretty strong shells, albeit one had been broken. It takes serious crunching, I would imagine.

 Cowry shells, bottom and top. These two shells were about a foot apart.

 This, believe it or not, is a crab which had stuffed itself in a hole in the reef.

Flea bite cone shell.

 He'e #1. The octopus in the hole (see the white siphon) was, I think, awaiting my departure, but also waiting for the cone shell with Hermit Crab inside to fall into its den. Which it did. Before I departed, it was trying to claw its way out of the hole again, but the waves pushed it into the octopus's den. I feel pretty sure that the octopus had a small snack.

 Above, he'e #2. It's hard to see, but it was in the den just above the pale green algae.

 Juvenile Rock Mover wrasse. Looks a lot like seaweed.

 Two leaf fishes today. Both yellow. And both hunkered down, awaiting lunch.

Mr. and Mrs. Box fish

 A nice and clean looking green spotted puffer fish swam through the scene. I didn't make it mad, so it didn't puff. Needless to say, they look totally different when puffed!

A nice duo of Saddle Butterfly Fish. When you see one, you look for the other. 

 Turban Shell. I think this one had a Hermit Crab inside, from the way it wiggled. But I didn't pick it up. This is the shell that produces the opercula that I collect. (Which I did many times this past two days.)

Very happy and thankful to God for helping me spot octo-fishes. I had thought perhaps they were taking a break, especially with all the seals in the area. Thankful to be able to spot 'em!

Seal swam by twice! and Octo-sighting!!!

You know I was so thankful I almost cried when I swam upon this small octopus!

I had come up empty on my last two snorkels, so I thought maybe I had lost my touch. But I had just prayed that God would show me octopuses in HIS timing, and then there it was!

I was thankful also for the red rock...it's easier to see them if they are near something bright. Not sure why. But this little guy totally saw me and eventually withdrew in the little den underneath. YAY GOD!

You will possibly think I'm a goofball, but I'm happy to see an octopus again, so ...

Also I saw fish "running" and when that happens I always flip around to try to discern what they are running from. (In case it's a shark!) But in this case, it was a big monk seal. He swam by me and came up for air just as I was popping up to see where he went. The odd thing is that he came back about 10 minutes later, going in toward the beach. A beach-goer with gloves on waved at the seal. Needless to say, it didn't wave back. It didn't come up on the beach however, so I lost track of where he went. Nice to see it, though. (See photos below.)

 So this is the adult and below is the juvenile of the Yellow Tailed Coris. Isn't that crazy how different they are?

Cone shell, minding its own business. I think they are night-time hunters..

I think the Cowry (below) hunts at night too. Maybe someday I'll get up the nerve and find a dive partner to go at night. Might even see a night hunting octopus!

 The Leaf Fish wasn't out very far...leaning against the rock in a surge-y area.

This is the plastic thing I've devised to wrap fishing line around when I find it. Otherwise, it gets tangled in the zipper on the dive bag.

 Male Trunk Fish.

 Pencil Urchin with Brighteye Damsel. Two fer one!

Mr. Monk Seal:

The 2nd pic is as he was swimming away. I think it's important to note that they are ATHLETES!!! They are not at all the clumsy animals you see coming up on the beach. No, the ocean is their element and they are quite awe inspiring when they swim past you! Not only because of their smooth and apparently effortless swimming, but just their size. This one was easily a foot longer than I am. They always look at me, too, which is sometimes a bit intimidating.

Top shell. Look closely...there is a Hermit crab antenna at the bottom of the shell on the left. And an operculum above (that white thing) 

 Below, the Turban Shell.  This was alive, I suspect, so I didn't even bother picking it up. This is the shell that has an operculum.....those are what I collect..

A very nice swim....quite thankful to have seen an octopus. 

Paris, j'adore!

Well, I wouldn't argue if you said I LOVE Paris! Have since I was a kid. So here are the pix from the recent trip.

 Buttes Chaumont white dog.

Crinkly white flower (please forgive if i already posted this pic! I love it)

 sad cuttlefish

Domo at the eiffel (well, close!)

 domo stay hungry

 this would look different in Hawaii

 Charlize Theron. I am totally in awe of Charlize Theron! Last time we were in Paris, her face (and this ad!) were EVERYWHERE. So I looked for her this time. Always a beautiful image.

 Klimt metro. The Metro is a great place to see what's on in Paris.

 We didn't visit the McD's, but smiled to see it.

 my fave water in France

Hard to say no

 crinkly pink

This is as close as we got! Sacre Coeur

 Au Printemps (a store in Paris..we like Galeries Lafayette better...)

very pretty fleur 

 Alex, Domo and the Easter Bunny

 they have crazy people in this store!

Galeries Lafayette 

 During the Christmas season, there's usually a huge tree in the center of this store, usually hanging upside down.

Ah wonderful. Don't miss it! Paris, that is!