Capturing the Moment

Just me and this turtle on our own Big Island beach   With another month of trips onboard the Safari Explorer with UnCruise Hawaii in store I managed to find a quick adventure in my remaining few hours before going onboard. After landing at the Kailua Kona airport on the Big Island where I will meet the ship, I grabbed a rental car and cruised a few minutes north on the highway to a turnoff for the lava rock coast. A long bumpy road ensued over the lava fields. Off in the distance and slowly coming closer into sight was a beautiful oasis of palm trees surrounded by the jet black lava rock.   The road to Kekaha Kai Beach park is not one for the faint of heart or cars with low clearance. However after seeing the secret beaches and beautiful coves from the plane as we descended made me have no doubt this adventure would be worth it. The close the park at 7pm, and the sun was already low on the horizon so I knew I had to act fast. Luckily I'm pretty adept at jumping from...

A secret spot of sand Snorkelers at Two Step One of my favorite snorkel spots in the Hawaiian Islands is locally known as Two Step. A beautiful bay south of Kailua Kona, lined with black lava rocks and filled with gorgeous protected coral draws loads of tourists and locals to its clear waters. Sometimes early in the mornings groups of spinner dolphins cruise around the bay, and there are always tons of beautiful fish here. Some of the healthiest, biggest corals in the state also can be found here at Two Step. School of Yellow Tangs   A perfect lava bench sits at the edge of the bay. Stepping down onto another bench just at water level that provides easy access to the snorkel site is where the bay gets its name. This was Catalina's first trip to the bay and luckily we found a great little spot of sand that we shared with a couple of other families. The snorkeling was great as usual, and even though the dolphins weren't around, it was fun to share this experience wi...

  As the first of the leaves started changing in Vermont and my excitement level rose Heidi reminded me that some years the autumn colors turn out to be duds. I quickly realized that this year would be the opposite of a dud. We traveled up Smuggler's Notch and were surrounded by some of the most beautiful fall foliage that I have ever seen. I tried to get so iconic Vermont images with the fall colors all around. I found old covered bridges, working farms, hidden rocky streams, and even the mountain town of Stowe to show off the Vermont charm.   Enojy these classic images of the Green Mountain State. I already find myself coming up with ideas for photos for next Fall!   But for now, with the first snows on the leafless tress in Vermont, it is time to head to warmer weather, different wildlife, and whales as we move into our new place in Maui!   www.daimarsphotos.com

  It has been a wild and wonderful African safari here in Kenya. We covered 8 different parks over our 2 week trip. Here is the track that we followed as we explored this wonderful country. Thanks to Chris, David, Becca, Deedee and Erica for being up to fly halfway around the world so I could share this incredible place with you. We couldn't have done it without our faithful drive James, putting some serious miles on our safari vehicle through all kinds of wild driving conditions.  We experienced the absolute best of what Kenya has to offer. We had close encounters with lions, charging elephants, wild dogs, birds of all colors and sizes, the great migration , carnage and the circle of life. There were hot air balloon rides, drinks around the campfire, baby warthogs, the Big 5, screaming monkeys, and waterhole overlooks. It was the trip of a lifetime. You can find all the post from this trip by searching keyword Kenya2018 in the search box on this site. If you are inspire...

On the Great Migration Endless lines of wildebeest    This was our last day on safari and we were spending it at one of the most exciting parks in East Africa. Known as the jewel of Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve is the continuation of the Serengeti plains of Tanzania. It is also the home to the Great Migration. Its a tough, croc eat wildebeest world  This migration of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and antelope plays out in one of the most exotic ecosystems on earth. Seemingly endless lines of some of Africa's most resilient animals follow the rain and green grass in a treacherous circular route. Along the way they must sustain themselves, fend off attacks from Africa's biggest predators, and give birth to fuel future generations of migrators.   To see this natural phenomena is a bucket list item that everyone should have but relatively few get to experience. You have to time your trip to Africa, visit the right part of the Mara or Sere...

 Before we entered the gate of the famous Masai Mara reserve in Kenya we had already seen bathing zebra and a pack of banded mongoose doing their best meerkat impersonations. The group new that a big day lay before them as we had planned to stay the entire day in the reserve. We brought our lunch and our adventurous attitudes and before we knew it we were right in the thick of things.    The term 'mara' to the maasai people means spotted. And as we looked over the vast savannas of the Masai Mara we could understand what prompted the name of this place. Lone acacia trees spotted the plains like dark dots. Herds of elephants and smaller creatures ambled off in the distance. But before long something much closer caught our eye.   Numerous vultures perched in the low acacia trees brought us to the sight of our first kill. A female lion was guarding and mawing at a slain buffalo. She seemed pretty full but not yet willing to give the meal up for good. After ab...