Aloha from Maui (image intense)

[Delphinus]

Aloha - I just came back from Maui for two weeks. Here are some pictures fellow Canreefers may find of some interest..

In short, the snorkeling is incredible as far as fish is concerned. The coral reefs are not bad but the water is "too cool" for serious SPS formations. For the most part I saw species of Porites, Pocillopora, and a few that may be Montipora (some that may even be M. danae, or something very similar). But the fish are amazing. I saw tangs: yellow; numerous Acanthurus: convict, orange shoulder, achilles, A. nigrofuscus (one of the most numerous I saw in fact - described in many texts as somewhat drab, I personally thought they were among the most exquisite out of any tang I've ever seen - hopefully the pics of these turn out); Naso dussumieri, Naso literatus (what we call "Naso" tangs), unicorns... Wrasses too numerous to mention. Damsels and Chromis. Moray eels. Rays. Dolphins. Turtles. Squid. Gobies. Blennies. Moorish Idols. Butterflies. The list is overwhelming, and with the exception of the dolphins all were within 10' of water off the shore in the safer snorkeling zone. All I can really say is "Wow."

Here are some pictures off my digital (so no underwater shots here, I have to get my film developed for the real underwater shots - so I'll post those later), but the fish you see here are from the Maui Ocean Centre in Ma'alaea (website http://www.mauioceancenter.com/ .. one of the nicer public aquariums I've been to - small, but very well done - I highly recommend a visit).

[Joe Reefer]

Thats awesome! I can't wait for the other pics.

[Delphinus]

These are of the Olivine Pools:

(These are sort of like tidal pools. Full of juvenile tangs, and chockablock(!!) full of blennies -- zebra blennies and what I'm certain were lawnmower blennies {although I have not yet confirmed whether that species is really found in Hawaiian waters -- so I might be incorrect})








Sunrise on Haleakala crater (had to get up very early to catch this!! Left the condo at 3:50, got to the crater shortly after 5:00 am and the sky was already turning bright!)

(this was the last picture I could take, my battery died shortly after. 10 seconds later, the clouds were rimmed with gold. It was spectacular, you'll just have to take my word for it ... 10 seconds after that, the sun was up and the sky really got light. Moral of the story, always charge your batteries before climbing 10000 feet to catch the sunrise!!)

Sunset at Kamaleole #3:

[muck]

hehe.. I love it!!

I've got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I'm free
There are no strings on me

[Delphinus]

Oh - I forgot to mention. The blennies all looked like they had swallowed marbles (huge extended bellies). I had once wondered if my lawnmower blenny was ill because he was like that -- now I know -- he was just fine. He passed away after 4 years earlier this year. One of the coolest fish for personality I've ever had in one my tanks. I'm not sure what their normal lifespan is but I suspect that it is not as long-lived as other fish.

And the tangs -- fat, fat, fat. As wide as several inches in some cases. Take it from the tang police: you should never ever see a pinched in belly on a tang.

[howdy20012002]

nice pictures Tony
Just out of curiosity, what kind of camera did u use for the underwater ones?
Neal

[Delphinus]

Missed this photo in the upload (also from the Maui Ocean Centre)

[Delphinus]

Thanks for the kind words. I had over 160 pictures on my digital so it's hard to pick and choose which ones. I might upload a few more later if you guys will indulge me, I found some incredible plants (broms, orchids, etc etc etc all the sort of things you wish you could grow here but can't), and I found these three horned chameleons up on the mountain that were just bizarre.

Hi Neal, the camera I use is an Olympus C-5000, 5 megapixel. I've had it about a year and a half so I don't know if it's still available or if it's been replaced yet (digital cameras seem to have a shelf life of about 2 weeks). It was the best blend of budget and macro that I could find, being about half the cost (or maybe even a tad less than half) of a comparable Nikon at the time but has macro capability down to about 2" which I thought would be better for tank shots. As it turns out I seem to do much better on outdoor photos and plants than I do of tank shots, but it's probably due more to my incompetence than due to the camera itself).

[Nate]

Hey Tony,

Yes, I am pretty much 100 % sure that algae blennies are found in Hawaii....

salarias faciatus I believe...

Glad you had a good vacation

[OCDP]

Dang Tony, those pics bring back some memories. I was in Maui last Christmas.

I went to the Maui ocean center as well, that place is pretty rad. They had some cool coral tanks when I was there.

The snorkeling was just as you said, great for fish, not the greatest for corals.. but still good nonetheless.

Ah man, I need to get my butt back there... thanks for the pics, glad you had a great time