Happy 2017

Happy New Year to all !!

So much about the following photo makes me happy--the 3 seals, the sea, the sand and the  photographer "Jimmy" from Alaska.  He sat for over an hour watching this seal trio as they rolled, snorted and farted (yes, seals fart) on the final sunny afternoon of 2016.  I smiled as I heard his shutter click away, he was just enjoying the moment of everyday life of a Hawaiian Monk Seal.  I'm betting he got some pretty fabulous shots too!

I'm finally allowing myself to change the look of my blog. December 31st marked one year since we lost our sweet Schatzie. Some say she was just a dog, yes she was, but she was my dog.

 I still miss the Girlz dearly and always will, but it's time to start finding Blessings in Everyday Life again. So.....

My sweet Barre instructor Anna, posted the following message on her instagram page earlier today--
"Do more things that make you forget to check you phone."
Hmm..... a good thought and one I'm planning to implement in the new year.

Other "new" stuff for this blog is rolling around in my head, so I hope you will stay tuned.
Happy New Year!!

Val

and this happened....

Yesterday was Monk Seal Monday....I found 6 seals,

2 honu (aka turtles)

 

Some nene

soaring albatross

 

Picked up some marine debris

and then found this.....

large Japanese Glass Float!!!

 It was a very good day!!!

Val

It's not always sunny...

Today was a not so sunny, rainy, windy and frankly just a gloomy day at the beach.  It's fall/winter on the Hawaiian Islands and we're experiencing some "winter" type weather. I hadn't been to the beach for nearly 2 weeks and was in desperate need of a beach fix.  Even with the gray weather I had a beautiful day in God's creation--making lemonade from lemons.

My first seal find of the day...R1KT

an albatross....Pip and Cheerio's parents have not arrived yet.

The seals are a bit more active when it's "cooler"

This is R337 and T325 -- adult female seals that spent well over an hour playing together on shore and in the water.
 Fun to watch as most of the time we observe sleeping/resting seals.

lots of nudging and poking at each other

This just made me giggle

Monk Seal version of say "uncle"

it was just fun to watch their interaction.

This guy was hidden under a bush and was difficult to ID, put with my camera zoom I did it without
the seal even knowing I was anywhere nearby.

Frigate Bird or Iwa, which in Hawaiian means thief.

One of the albatross that has returned to mate and raise a young one.

Love to watch them soar

more soaring

So it wasn't your typical sunshiny Hawaiian Day but, I enjoyed every minute of my time at the beach
and maybe next time I'll see some whales.

Shooting the Moon....

A Rainy Monday...

Taking this rainy Monday to give you an update on our relocation process.  It's been a week since we got the keys to our new place. Spent some time purging and feel good about what we have left (which is still too much) but we're in. Most everything is now in its place due some creative storage ideas so and we can put our feet up and rest. Thought you might enjoy some before and after shots.

 

 

 

 

 My favorite part of the new location is my morning run now includes views

of both  the mountains and a stretch of the beach.

 

Don't forget to get out and vote tomorrow!!!