Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
For my first dive I surface swam to the south end of the cove and descended among the large stone formations there. One of the first sights I saw was this six-rayed Green Linckia sea star. While not common, sea stars with extra rays are not rare either.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
Just a photo of a common Yellow Tang, but I'm happy with this because at least the bright yellow didn't reflect my flash so much as to wipe out the details on the fish.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
I found this little Spotted Boxfish male out in the open but when I approached to take his photo he retreated back into the coral for safety. This is the only half-decent photo I got of him.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
I haven't seen one of these Lantern Tobies in quite awhile. Some species seem to disappear for a time, only to come back in numbers later on. I used to see these in pairs but this one was solo.
Photos Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
This is the first Shortnose Wrasse that I've seen in some time. This one can be identified as a male by the bright red area on the front of the dorsal fin. Like all wrasse, it swims about in a rapid and somewhat erratic manner making it difficult (for me) to photograph.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
This is Wire Coral (sometimes called Whip Coral) that can be found all over the south end of the cove. It grows out of the sides of the rock formations, usually where it is shaded by an overhang. There are certain shrimp and gobies that are specially adapted to live on this unusual coral.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
The vermillion color of this Arc-Eye Hawkfish contrasted nicely with the pale green coral he was resting on.He certainly wasn't hiding!
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
I got one chance to snap this photo of a Potter's Angelfish before it disappeared into the coral.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
I love the photo opportunities afforded by the cleaning stations. Here a Goldring Surgeonfish unfurls its fins for a thorough going-over by a Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
This Whitemouth Moray made a willing photo subject towards the end of my dive.
Diving conditions were kind of a mixed bag today. There was a bit of surge in the early morning but visibility was better than it had been for months. The temp remained a chilly 74 degrees. On my surface interval, the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up to at least 12 knots as whitecaps were forming on the open water outside the cove.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
On my second dive I decided to check in on some old friends. This male Longfin Anthias is still doing well, as is his little harem.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
Likewise, the small school of Pyramid Butterflyfish has managed just fine in my absence.
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
It's always cool to see a Pacific Trumpetfish hanging vertically like this in the water column. They float like this waiting for a little fish to swim out of the coral and then the trumpetfish sucks it in!
Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler
To finish off this post, here's a photo of Yellowfin Goatfish who will probably gather in this cove forever. They are a constant presence around the ALOHA sandpatch every single day and are reliable enough to use as a navigational aid.
Although there were no spectacular sightings, these were two very pretty dives and I was very grateful to be back in the water again!
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