Capt'n Tony took this picture in early 60's when he first got to Kona. Not much has changed in the bay except the cameras.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
1960
Capt'n Tony took this picture in early 60's when he first got to Kona. Not much has changed in the bay except the cameras.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Pelagic Jellyfish
Found this awesome Jellyfish just outside Keauhou Bay. Once again great photos by Susan Knight!
1st whale of season spotted off Big Island
Way to go Capt'n Tony!!!!!!!
HONOLULU (AP) — A tour boat captain has spotted the first humpback whale in Hawaii of the winter season — several weeks earlier than expected.
Tony Roensch, a Sea Quest tour captain, saw two tail-slaps from a humpback whale yearling in Honaunau Bay on the Big Island's Kona Coast on Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
Last year's first sighting was on Oct. 20 off Maui's west coast. Such sightings typically come on the first or second week of October, said Edward Lyman, marine mammal response manager for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
"It's a couple of weeks before we expected," he said of this week's sighting about 14 nautical miles south of Kailua-Kona. "It tends to be the younger animals will be our first sighting."
Roensch said he was taking six people on a sightseeing tour about 50 yards from shore when a woman in the group exclaimed she saw a whale. Roensch thought she had to be mistaken: "I said, 'No ma'am, we don't have whales this early.'"
But when he turned around, he realized it was indeed a whale.
"We stopped. I turned the motor off, hoping he would do something or show himself more," said Roensch, who has been a Hawaii boater since 1969. "That's the earliest I've seen it my whole life."
He radioed the sighting to his office and then alerted officials that night.
Humpback whale season in Hawaii generally runs from November through May. As many as 12,000 of the whales winter each year in the waters off Hawaii, where endangered humpback whales are protected.
Federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water; 1,000 feet when operating an aircraft.
"It's important for everyone to be extra vigilant during whale season, for their own safety and the protection of these magnificent animals, said Paul Wong, the sanctuary's operations coordinator. Collisions between vessels and the 45-ton whales can cause death or injury to boaters and whales.
Boaters like Roensch help officials monitor the whales in the sanctuary by reporting sightings or locating distressed animals.
"There are many more tour boats than our research vessels out there on the waters," Lyman said.
HONOLULU (AP) — A tour boat captain has spotted the first humpback whale in Hawaii of the winter season — several weeks earlier than expected.
Tony Roensch, a Sea Quest tour captain, saw two tail-slaps from a humpback whale yearling in Honaunau Bay on the Big Island's Kona Coast on Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
Last year's first sighting was on Oct. 20 off Maui's west coast. Such sightings typically come on the first or second week of October, said Edward Lyman, marine mammal response manager for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
"It's a couple of weeks before we expected," he said of this week's sighting about 14 nautical miles south of Kailua-Kona. "It tends to be the younger animals will be our first sighting."
Roensch said he was taking six people on a sightseeing tour about 50 yards from shore when a woman in the group exclaimed she saw a whale. Roensch thought she had to be mistaken: "I said, 'No ma'am, we don't have whales this early.'"
But when he turned around, he realized it was indeed a whale.
"We stopped. I turned the motor off, hoping he would do something or show himself more," said Roensch, who has been a Hawaii boater since 1969. "That's the earliest I've seen it my whole life."
He radioed the sighting to his office and then alerted officials that night.
Humpback whale season in Hawaii generally runs from November through May. As many as 12,000 of the whales winter each year in the waters off Hawaii, where endangered humpback whales are protected.
Federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water; 1,000 feet when operating an aircraft.
"It's important for everyone to be extra vigilant during whale season, for their own safety and the protection of these magnificent animals, said Paul Wong, the sanctuary's operations coordinator. Collisions between vessels and the 45-ton whales can cause death or injury to boaters and whales.
Boaters like Roensch help officials monitor the whales in the sanctuary by reporting sightings or locating distressed animals.
"There are many more tour boats than our research vessels out there on the waters," Lyman said.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Capt'n Steve
Capt'n Steve with the cliffs of Kealakekua Bay in the background. Yet another fine picture from
www.SUSANKNIGHTSTUDIOS.com
Monk Seal in the Bay!
This Hawaiian Monk Seal did a fly by in the bay a few days ago. Some of us saw it but Kathy was the only one to get the picture! Great shot Kathy, Mahalo.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
You'll never find it...
Only the best beach in Hawaii and you'll never find it unless you come on the boat and we'll tell you.
Friday, July 8, 2011
SUSAN KNIGHT STUDIOS!
Another plug for Susan's thriving photography business.
www.SUSANKNIGHTSTUDIOS.com
groovy portrait art. images of earthly beauty.
Chaetodon lunula
The raccoon butterflyfish,also known as the crescent-masked butterflyfish or lunule butterflyfish, is a species of butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae). It is found in the Indo-Pacific region and in the southeast Atlantic.
S Word
We try not to say the S word but every once in a while we get lucky and find someone sleeping in a cave.
Stay off the reef!
As long as no one stands in the shallow water, the algae should grow on rocks and schools of Yellow Tang will eat.
Buy an underwater camera!
We sell underwater cameras at check in. If a creature swims under the boat then you take a picture, simple.
Stack
A stack is a geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, isolated by erosion.[1] Stacks are formed through processes of coastal geomorphology, which are entirely natural. Time, wind and water are the only factors involved in the formation of a stack.[2] They are formed when part of a headland is eroded by hydraulic action, which is the force of the sea or water crashing against the rock. The force of the water weakens cracks in the headland, causing them to later collapse, forming free-standing stacks and even a small island. Without the constant presence of water, stacks also form when a natural arch collapses under gravity, due to sub-aerial processes like wind erosion.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Globicephala macrorhynchus
Summertime the big waves go away and the water smoothes out which makes it easier to spot Pilot Whales.
Tubez
These tubes (actually they're the same tube) can be seen in the grotto. There is a ton of iron mineral in the basalt here.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saw it on the X
Sweet day on the five hour Expedition trip. Plenty of sun, clear water and lot's o turtles.
Squid Scars?
Once again Susan has taken an awesome photo of a Pilot Whale. This guy swam right under the boat. Check the circle scars just behind the dorsal fin. Squid scars or Cookie cutters?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
SEAQUEST IS BACK!
The recent tsunami that we experienced on 11 March did damage our office but not our boats or our spirits. We were up and running two days later. Once again the sun is shining and Lake Kona has returned to her beautiful, calm, clear self. Luckily, there was no damage to the Keauhou pier or any of our snorkel sites. So please come join us as we explore the beautiful and rugged Kona Coast!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Not a whale...
Apparently the patch on the water line didn't hold when the water was turned back on after the tsunami.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
More Tail
Still a few whales hanging in there but most are on their way back to Alaska. This mom doesn't feel her calf can make the trip yet. Eric sent these shots in from his whale watch with Capt'n Steve and Susan (her narration gets pretty intense sometimes). Mahalo Eric!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Blow
With Keauhou in the background one lone Humpback takes a breath before disappearing into the big blue. Thanks to Renee for this shot!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Captain James Cook
232 years ago today Captain James Cook was struck down on the shores of Ka'awaloa in Kealakekua Bay. If you want to hear the whole story sign up for a trip with us.
I think there is something else going on today too...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Hey Man, Nice Shot
First thing this morning we came across a pod of Humpbacks, good way to start the day! Thanks to Brenda and Ken for sending in this tail shot. The barnacles from Alaska won't last long in the warm Hawaiian waters.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Girls with knives...
Susan and Capt'n Mar are waiting for their guests to return from the morning snorkel at Honaunau.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Whales in Kealakekua Bay
Check out the tail on that one! Probably a victim of an Orca attack or sharks? Two tails and a blow! Thanks to Debra and Rick for sending in these awesome shots.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunrise
The morning sun is just starting to hit the top of Hualalai while two locals get in some early fishing on Keauhou Pier.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)