Capturing the Moment

Me grabbing the rail at Honolua Some surfer getting shacked   What a way to ring in the new year! A week on Maui with old friends, borrowed camping gear, and a good winter swell brought out many smiles. We made sure to get in a couple of whale watches complete with muggings and breaches, and even managed a few dives at some of our favorite spots. Nate breaking the mystique Cutting hard at Honolua   There are a few spots on the island with big firework shows for new years eve but the real scene is in the local neighborhoods. Fireworks sell like crazy leading up to new years and it shows with explosions heard from noon onwards. I even heard a few the next morning. I checked a few times to see if Nate's car was on fire because of all the smoke. And despite her best efforts to fall asleep I still kissed Heidi at midnight thanks to some unbelievable explosions from the neighbors. Whale tails everywhere! Adult breaching Baby attempt   It was a n...

    Winter is an exciting time here in Maui. Humpback whales are showing up in increasing numbers every winter to mate and have babies. While the humpbacks are here they perform incredible acrobatics, the males will fight to impress the females, and the mysterious whale song can be heard from miles away if you dunk your head just a bit under the ocean.   One behavior that I rarely see is called a spy hop. This is where the whale slowly rises its rostrum (head) out of the water. Scientists presume it is for the whale to look around at their surroundings hence the name 'spy hop.' It is a rare behavior here in Hawaii. In fact in all my time with these whales over the past three winters I have only seen this a handful of times. That was until these two whales pictured here.   On a special day out on the water in Maui you may have a chance to be mugged by a humpback whale. This is when a whale swims towards the boat and comes within the 100 yard zone. It is un...