The Ambon Toby in Kailua Kona

     Yesterday was a fine day for snorkeling in Kailua Kona.  On the north shore of Oahu, on the other hand,  the surf was so high that the Eddie Aikua, an international surfing competition, was taking place.  It is a peculiarity of these Very Sandwich Islands, that the people who report the weather also report the surf conditions.  Two days ago the weather people were in seventh heaven and the weather report leaned heavily towards shots of 30 foot waves. 

Finescale Triggerfish, Kailua Pier January 2023

    The island of Hawaii, being south of the other islands, is spared some of that energy that comes from the northerly swell and the lava reef that guards Kailua Bay does the rest.  The water on the Ironman side of the pier was cool, but delightfully clear, with little current or wave action.  

   Early in my swim I saw a pair of Finescale Triggerfish.  This species does not number among the usual suspects.  However, it is more common in this location than one might expect.  I followed one around for a few minutes.  Like a few triggerfish around the world, the fine scale likes to stand on his head near the sandy bottom and expel a stream that clears a bit of sand.  With luck, he will be rewarded with a tasty morsel.  

Milkfish,  Kailua Pier,  January 2023

   Regrettably, of the six pictures that I took, the one in the best focus is also one where the fish is right on the edge of the frame.  In fact, the dorsal fin does not quite make it in its entirety.  Can you forgive me?

    Out by the last swim buoy, also over the sand, I had the pleasure of encountering our school of milkfish.  These are big fish with large forked tails; an occasional l novice will remark that he saw a school of sharks.  The milkfish is named for his milky flesh and is a common fish raised in Hawaiian fishponds to this day.  

    As the water was clear I attempted a few pictures.  Being opalescent, the milkfish appear almost the same color as the sand.  Even with yur eyes it is a challenge to see them against the sandy bottom. I dove within six feet of the milkfish.  With some contrast added to the photos, the milkfish become more obvious.  Its hard to believe that this may be one of my best picture of a milkfish.

Ambon Toby, January 2023 

    Aside from a trio of rambunctious blue goatfish, I saw nothing special until I was almost at the pier.  There, in the clear, sunlit water, I saw an Ambon Toby.  Make no mistake, this modestly sized puffer is a common fish.  It is usually sufficiently shy, however, to make photography a bit of a challenge.  And what is the point of showing a picture of an Ambon Toby unless you can make those electric blue markings sing? 

    Well, this fish was agreeable and I was able to get close, use a little bit of flash and capture the pictures you see here.  Enjoy.

 jeff

Ambon Toby, Kailua Pier, 2023