A Hot Day in Kailua Bay

Bigfin Squid, Kailua Pier March 3013

    For three days it was cold and rainy here in Kona.  I mean, we're talkin' highs below 70.  If you take into account the wind chill, the temperature might have been below 60 at mid-day.  It didn't keep me out of the water, but maybe it should have.  Yesterday, though, the skies were blue, the air was warm and sweetie and I schlepped our snorkels down to the pier.

    The water was fairly clear and not too cold...what can you expect in march?  But things heated up almost immediately.  Just past the first swim buoy we saw three reef squid.  They were substantially more wary than the pair I encountered at Kahalu'u a month  ago.  But we were able to approach within ten feet before they went scooting away.

     Its always a treat to see this unusual (for Kona in the daytime) cephalopod, but more was to come.  Further out we saw an octopus.  In fact, we were directed to the octopus by a lady of a certain age who was

Day Octopus, Kailua Kona March 3013

treading water and was delighted to have someone with whom to share her find.   He was a beauty, only a few feet below the surface, and ignored our guides flippers while I snapped the accompanying photo.  Not bad, if I do say so myself.  Octopus pictures are so difficult because these guys are the masters of disguise.  We watch them change color and texture and our mind is delighted.  The still camera sees a single instant of cryptic coloration.

    Two cephalopods in one day is a record for me, at least in Hawaii.  Just goes to show that I need to do a little more night snorkeling.

   Not wanting to rest too heavily on our laurels, we pushed on about a hundred yards past the last swim buoy.  As we were donning our swimming apparel a man was telling everyone who would listen that he

had seen an eagle ray in the sand in that vicinity.  I had just increased my squid sightings in Hawaii from two to three, maybe we could do the same for eagle rays.  Alas, it was not to be, but we did enjoy a look at a Scribbled Filefish who was getting cleaned under a coral head out in front of the palace.  the water was clear enough that we got a nice look at As you may recall, Mr. Scribble is Sandra's favorite, so she declared three strikes. 

    Ashore, we were treated to a fish of a different feather.  Or was it a bird.  A nice young man had brought his Blue and Gold Macaw "Bubba"  to the beach.  He was easily as much fun to photograph as the

Bubba!

the fish.   And we got to exchange parrot stories with his owner.   Bubba doesn't bite and he eats a balanced meal from a plate at dinner time.  And he has never done you know what in the car.  Good Birdy!

    From a purely informational point of view, we saw a Blacktail Wrasse and a Mu the next day in the deeps out in front of the palace.  Both good fish for that side of the pier. 

    Good luck with your fish list and enjoy Kona.
    jeff