They’re coming to get me

Spinner dolphins in the waters off Hawaii

I hadn’t been snorkeling for a couple of weeks, having been under the weather. So last week, I was happy to get back in the water, and even happier when a pod of Spinner Dolphins showed up.

I first became aware of them when two snuck up from behind and zipped by just a few feet away. This happened to me once before, not long after moving to Hawaii, and I nearly had a heart attack. These days, I’m more used to expecting the unexpected in the water.

A few went back and forth around me, and I thought they might stick around for a bit, but they continued on their way south, albeit at a less-hurried pace than they often maintain. But it’s always a treat to see them and I was happy that a few photos turned out OK. My last encounter with dolphins, a few weeks ago, resulted in zero usable photos. I think my camera was having some issues, at least that’s my excuse.

Spinner dolphins in the waters off Hawaii
Spinner dolphins in the waters off Hawaii
Spinner dolphins in the waters off Hawaii

The Numbers Game #41

A small plane flies low over Upolu Airport, Hawaii.
A fly-in at Upolu Airport.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 162. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A praying mantis and a fly
A fly on a praying mantis.
Street art in Hawi, Hawaii
Street art in Hawi.
A red-crested cardinal
A Red-crested Cardinal.
A dry cow pasture in North Kohala, Hawaii
Dry pasture at Upolu.
Irrigation in North Kohala, Hawaii
Irrigation for dry pastures.
A cow and her new calf
A cow with her newborn calf.

The final seven

Seven rings on a manhole cover in Hawaii
A Water Department manhole cover.

The final posted for this month’s Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here. I had some left over and couldn’t decide what to leave out, so I put them all in. Captions on photos.

Seven power lines in Hawaii
Power to the people.
Seven Wind Turbines at Hawi Wind Farm in Hawaii
Seven turbines at Hawi Wind Farm.
Seven Cattle Egrets flying in Hawaii
Cattle egrets take wing.
Seven Motorbikes parked in Hawi, Hawaii
I saw these, parked under the banyans, on my way to the post office.
Mile marker 7 on Akoni Pule Hwy, Hawaii
Highway 270 is Akoni Pule Highway, my drive to work. The high bank on the left, at Mile Marker Seven, is a prime whale watching spot in season.
Seven Purple Stairs in Hawaii
Regal looking, but really the back stairs to some offices!

That’s strange

An inflatable mermaid and a glove on a beach in Hawaii
“I’m stranded here,” cried the mermaid. “Can someone give me a hand?” It did not end well.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Oddballs, Wild and Weird.’ See more responses here. Captions on the photos.

Also posted for Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here.

A hiker wears an umbrella hat on the 1871 Trail in Hawaii
It’s a hat. It’s an umbrella, It’s a fruit bowl. I want one.
A painted rock at the Hawaii Island Retreat in Hawaii
See the rock. The rock sees you.
A Clumpy Nudibranch in the waters off Hawaii
There are many strange creatures in the ocean. This Clumpy Nudibranch in one of them.
Campers at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii
Unclear on the concept.
High heels stuck to the roof of a painted truck in Hawaii
It pays to keep them handy.
A sign at a beach park in Hawaii
I just want to say that I have never knowingly violated a dog!

The seventh pole

A number on a utility pole in North Kohala, Hawaii

This is the seventh utility pole up Kapaau Road from the main highway through Kapaau. I’m not sure how much these numbers are used these days but, back in the day, they would have helped crews to quickly locate any particular pole. I bet there were books of maps with each pole marked on it.

Posted for Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here.