The call came on a Tuesday from Mauna Kea Summit, “Are we doing anything on Saturday?” I reminded him that I was going to arrange our haircuts then mentioned that I hadn’t sent the message yet. His next comment, “Good, some of the usual group want to go diving, can you make it for next weekend?” My reply was, “I can hold off until next weekend if it is for diving!” 🙂 ” Thus, for my Birthday this year, we went diving off of the North Kohala Shores of the Big Island!
Two very enjoyable dives. Caves, and Marine Life abounding as we kicked our way along the coral walls; and checked out a few caves along the way. The Long Nosed Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) near black coral at Black Point, about 85′ depth, was very different and not easily seen.
One cave was dubbed “The Kitchen Sink” 😀 It was an almost straight down entrance then it felt like a drain might feel as it leveled out and got a bit narrow. The Slipper Lobster appeared to really like this cave, and so did the shrimp. There were, of course, many of the “What-was-its” as the animal darted too quickly into a hole or crevice for even a cryptic ID.
A short time into our second dive, Andy slowed down a bit; and came along side of me. He signaled a question if I was having fun, to which I signaled that I was having FUN (or as best as I could get across).
Then he pulled the Birthday Card (Pictured) out of a BC pocket and handed it to me. Does the Eel look familiar? I had to clear the water from my mask since the gesture made me smile too big; and it was half flooded in no time 😉 Struck with such overwhelming surprise and I had to wait to kiss him because it would be too difficult right now with regulators in our mouths :-O
Only a few of my many photos turned out from this dive since we were in and about the caves a lot; but Andy”s photos, as usual, are a pretty nice perspective of both dives! Tank two air nearly exhausted, I head for my three-minute, 15-foot rest time; then surface.
Nice dives and very nice dive sites! I doff my BC and tank to the dive master so that I can hang out in the water while everyone else finish each of their dives. The water was getting a little choppy and I wanted to limit my time on the boat while it wasn’t moving in hopes of avoiding motion upset so as not to put a damper on the enjoyment. 😐
Everyone back on board, and the gear is stowed. Andy breaks out the cupcakes that he had sneaked on-board; and cleverly hid them out of sight 🙂 The chorus of Happy Birthday (who me? Red? I must have gotten too much sun!?); it has been a GREAT Birthday and it isn’t over yet!… Thank You Andy!
