2008-March 11: Lydgate, Moir Garden, Nihi Kai sunset

Another day to snorkel.  This time back to Lydgate.

 Another beautiful day at Lydgate

 A bad picture of this guy, but he's another fish that I've only seen here at Lydgate (and the Caribbean).  Wonder why so many unusual fish end up in here?

 There was even a turtle in here today

 looking back towards the beach

 towards the kiddie pool

 resident school of fish---there are several schools of fish that I've seen here every year.  I know they can get out, but I guess they're happy here.

 Another guy I hadn't seen before---a razor fish

 There was even a juvenile yellow tang here.  I've only seen a couple yellow tangs around Kauai--a couple times here at Lydgate and a couple times at Anini.

 The ever popular sergeant major.

 These guys also have a large school here in Lydgate.

 They look healthy, so I guess there's plenty for them all to eat here.

 love the shadows

 another view of the pools while we lounged on the beach

 more of the area at Lydgate

 When we were done here, we made our way South to wait for sunset.  Got there early, so Ken dropped me off at Moir Gardens for awhile.  Love this free garden.  They have 2 main sections to the garden---orchids and cacti.

 but there are a few ponds with lilies in them, too.

 and there are tropical plants like these Bird of Paradise.

 some of the cacti.

 some of the cacti were flowering.

 or about to

 back to the orchid garden

 wonder how hard the maintenance on this garden is?

 some of the gorgeous orchids

 someone knows what they're doing.

 another lily

 ????

 ????

 As the sun dropped lower, we headed towards the beach.  Ended up along the road by Nihi Kai resort. 

 Again the clouds were too heavy for a spectacular sunset

But we still enjoyed it.

2008-March 10: Lawai

Time to get back into the water!  Too rough to go North, but South looked good according to the surf report.  So Lawai it is!!!

 love all the colorful wrasees around Kauai

 not to mention all the other colorful fish

the cleaning stations were occupied

 cleaned, they now ate

 a rarity around Kauai---a starfish!  Only one I've seen around Kauai

 The endangered monk seal.  See quite a few of them around Kauai.  This guy actually left it's resting spot while we were snorkeling and swam out between us.  I didn't realize it was happening until it got too far away to take a picture, though.

 back to concentrating on the fish---the yellow tail coris

 a nudibranch (flat worm)

 I don't think lobsters are suppose to be laying on their backs

 one of the more colorful coral heads.

 and, of course, a turtle---always see them at Lawai.

 All the whales hadn't left yet!  This one put on quite a show for about 30 minutes. 

 It breached over and over again.

 Even spy hopped as a surfer was heading out to surf

 Stayed for sunset.  Again not spectacular

 But it's spectacular being on Kauai!