Tag Archives: Seabirds

Maui Day 6

On Tuesday morning October 6th one of our cars packed up for two different adventures. I’m happy to report that Katie and Andrew were done being sequestered and ready for our Molokini adventure. Only four of us opted for Molokini, Andrew, Katie, Greg and me. Josh and Dan were our drivers for the adventure. After they dropped us off for our check-in, they carried on south for their Golf tee-time. They would return in time to pick us up at 1:00 pm. Our trip started at 8am and their tee-time was at 8:30 am.

We are headed to that crescent shaped crater where you can see other boats docked for snorkeling.

Here we are with 100 of our fellow passengers! Our excursion offered breakfast, lunch and snorkeling gear. They had lifeguards out on the water and also offered any help you might need including instructions for snorkeling.

Katie ordered corrective snorkel masks for herself and for her dad. Those were game changers for them. I’m not sure if Andrew needed them, I did not. They did not cost much more than regular snorkel gear.

We were told that we were very fortunate to be at Molokini on this day since the waters were calm compared to the day before.

The temperature of the water and the clarity viewing the fish and coral reef was exceptional.

The birds were also interesting to watch on the crater. This bird might be the ‘Iwa (Great Frigatebird), a large seabird frequently seen soaring above Molokini Crater. ‘Iwa means thief, the bird is known for stealing other birds’ food.

It really was a gorgeous day to be out on the water.

 

While our sons were golfing at the Wailea Golf Club with views of Molokini, they sent us this photo! They could see the boats at Molokini.

They were very impressed with this beautiful golf course and all the amenities it offered.

From Molokini our boat anchored at a turtle bay before we headed back to the docks. Katie was the only one of us who actually spotted a turtle on this part of the anchoring. We enjoyed a barbecue lunch while the boat was at this spot. By the time we arrived at the turtle area the water wasn’t as calm or clear at this spot.

After docking we walked back to our drop off location for our sons to pick us up and take us all back to the resort. This was at 1pm and the air was so still and hot with humidity above 80%. We missed the lovely breeze that we enjoyed on the water! While waiting for our ride, I found a wood carved turtle that fit the bill for JJ’s wish list!

Mahalo for stopping by…

The Weekend Roundup “G”

Welcome to Weekend Roundup…
1.Starts with “G.”
2. A Favorite.
3. Green.

Starts with G: Godwit, a shorebird on the beach.

Favorite: My Lenten Rose blooming now with green leaves and green centers surrounded by pink petals.

Green: You can find green everywhere in the Evergreen State in Winter.

Parting Shot:

Granddaughter Grinning in Gramps’ Green sleeve Grip.

Linking up with Tom The Backroads Traveller for The Weekend Roundup “G”.

We are in another wet pattern here in the Puget Sound area. Hoping for some sun breaks sometime soon. So happy to see Nathan Chen have a successful skate. I’ve also been entertained with some of the curling teams choice of clothing. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Friday’s Fave Five

It’s Friday and time to recall our favorites from this past week. Head over to Susanne’s at Living to Tell the Story to participate or see some favorites.

It was wonderful to have morning walks this week with Willow without our typical June Gloom. The skies were bright and we even had a few clouds mixed in with the blue!

The hydrangeas are blooming full right now and they always make me smile.

The birds are so much more active and visible when we walk in the morning. I’m happy when they sit still long enough for me to snap a photo.

I really have become a person who loves photography. If I can be out with my camera I’m a happy camper. I kept getting closer and closer to this critter trying not to scare it off it’s perch.

I’m not a sit on the beach all day kind of person but I do love early morning walks on the beach. Seeing any beach wildlife is such a bonus.

Looking forward to seeing your favorites from the last week later in the day. I’m driving across town this morning to take my Pop and Mom out for a Father’s Day breakfast with my sister Kathy. Have a wonderful Father’s Day and beginning of Summer weekend everyone!

 

High Tide at Emma Wood State Beach!

Dear and I returned to our favorite Saturday walk last weekend and we were in for a fun surprise. The Tide was so high that there was no sand to be seen. The waves were so powerful we heard the large rocks and bolders moving and hitting each other when the waves receded. We had to watch our steps so that we didn’t get sprayed by the waves that hit the beach walls and rocks.

We were experiencing Santana winds again over the weekend so the wind really whipped out and caused some spray off the waves.

Then when a wave would recede and hit the next wave coming in we got a big treat with an explosion of spray!

It was difficult to snap at the right time to make sure I captured the great spray.

Yippee I got this one without getting soaked!

The birds were patiently waiting for the tide to go out so they could dig for their food in the sand…

Psalm 89: 8, 9 ~ “O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.”

Early Morning Walk at Emma Wood State Beach

Dear and I arrived for our Saturday walk early again this week and because the tide was too high to walk on our regular route we walked along the dunes in the opposite direction headed toward Surfer’s Point.

After we walked along the dunes we cut across them to the water. This rocky driftwood carpeting is not real easy on the ankles.

This had us scratching our heads wondering “what the heck is it or was it”?

We saw a lot of Godwits and Sanderlings.

This is a section of the beach where the Ventura river empties into the ocean. It was a favorite spot for these herons, seagulls, and godwits.

When we headed back to the dunes to get to our car we were thrilled to see this lone Heron posing for us.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, we cannot exhaust beautiful views of God’s creation.

Photo Hunters ~ Wild

Some Wild views from my walks

I think these are Mule Deer. This is from Willow’s neighborhood, my bloggy walking buddy.

Looking through a space in a wooden fence at a field near my home that is still in it’s wild state.

The Sea, the tide, the shore, the Sea birds, all untamed and wild.

For more Photo Hunters visit tnchick. If you want to see Wild early click over to Carver’s.

Dawn Walks with Dear ~

We were back to our Emma Wood State Beach Walk this past Saturday. It’s been 8 weeks since our last walk there. We left the house at 6:00 A.M. and met the Dawn at the beach. Every walk here holds new discoveries for us. The tides change, the shore changes from season to season, the birds change too. We saw a lot of younger Seagulls and some small birds we hadn’t seen before.

I love that God’s creation cannot be exhausted. I stand in awe at His creativity.

Psalm 104: 24-25 ~ “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.”

I was glad I wore my sandals this week because the tide caught us off guard when it came in a little quicker than we expected.

By the end of the day on Saturday after we drove to Huntington Beach and walked to the beach there, too, we had logged in 14,032 steps! Willow and I walked 4 days last week, too, so my numbers were really good. But…Willow flew the coop to Oregon this week and my numbers will flounder…

 

Saturday Morning Fun!

We started our beach walk at 6:00 AM today! The sun has not shown up in all it’s glory yet…

 

The colors in my photos change as the sun comes up over the hill.

We saw a lot of crabs today. The tide was not as far out and we couldn’t get as far on the sand this week.

The Pirates were afoot and we snuck by their ship.

Dear braved the surf while I took the higher road.

We finished our walk on the beach and were home by 7:45 AM. I then got ready to head out to San Marino, California to meet my nieces, sister, and mom for a birthday breakfast.

On the way to breakfast a car fully engulfed in flames was worth a photo! :0)

Julienne Restaurant in San Marino, California

My sister Kathy and her daughter Michelle

The sisters, Michelle and Melissa

My niece Debbee and me

My Mom

I decided on the Earl Grey Tea. Look at that pretty little bag the tea leaves come in.

A Gruyere omelette with scallions and avocado and rosemary potatoes.

Me, my mom, and my sister Kathy

Kathy and her daughters. Happy Birthday Kathy.

And yes it is hot in Southern California today. This was the hottest my outside temp registered when I hit Woodland Hills. (109 degrees)  Notice that I’m standing still in traffic so no one was in danger when I took this shot. We’re breaking records today. Thankfully it is a lot cooler than Woodland Hills in our town…