Today's dive at Leleiwi, Hilo Hawaii: We were going to dive further South than Hilo, but it was too rough. Leleiwi was a bit rough, not a beginner's dive, but it was so worth it. The...

kevindcornwell Loc: Hilo, Hawaii

We were going to dive further South than Hilo, but it was too rough. Leleiwi was a bit rough, not a beginner's dive, but it was so worth it. The Supermale Bird wrasse is a long shot - literally. He was so skittish and he wouldn't let me come anywhere close. I zoomed in from 20 feet away and got this shot, then he turned and ran. I rarely see them so I'm happy with what I got. The porcupine fish was huge. He let us get right up to him. He wasn't all that concerned about us and even ate a bite while we videoed and took shots of him. He's the biggest I've seen and the darkest too. Shot in ambient light, no strobes, in about 30 to 35 feet water. Sony NEX-5, 18-55 zoom, Magic Filter, Nauticam housing.

Blackside Hawkfish - posing as usual

Supermale Bird Wrasse - long zoom shot

Giant Porcupine fish

Same guy, 12 inches from my camera. I was concerned for my fingers!

krashzmom Loc: Columbia, SC

I've never seen a Hawkfish above or below water but he is a cutie. I have seen a porcupine fish but not a large one. How big is he? Is that a regular size parrot fish beside it? I can see why they call the one a bird wrasse but I don't know where the supermale comes in and not sure I want to. Those are very good and very clear shots.

kevindcornwell Loc: Hilo, Hawaii

The Saddle wrasse next to the Porcupine is between 6 and 8 inches long. That makes the Giant Porcupine in the 20" or longer range. The Bird wrasse is one of many fish that transform from one gender to another. A Supermale has no special powers, other than he is really a male and will not change back to a female (from whence he came.) He is also the haram owner, has a territory, and until he dies, there are no more Supermales in the territory.

krashzmom Loc: Columbia, SC

kevindcornwell wrote:

The Saddle wrasse next to the Porcupine is between 6 and 8 inches long. That makes the Giant Porcupine in the 20" or longer range. The Bird wrasse is one of many fish that transform from one gender to another. A Supermale has no special powers, other than he is really a male and will not change back to a female (from whence he came.) He is also the haram owner, has a territory, and until he dies, there are no more Supermales in the territory.

Thanks. That was interesting to me and my husband. He said he'd heard where some animals could do that...transform from one sex to the other...I just looked at him. :-) :roll: :P

Scubadoo Loc: Central Indiana

Kevin, how often do you get to dive?I would love to be near blue water and go more often . Unless I travel I only have green water around,wich I used to do every weekend, even in winter.have dry suit for that though,but visibility is pretty bad most of the time.And nice shots too,interesting too hear about.Keep postin :thumbup:

kevindcornwell Loc: Hilo, Hawaii

My preference is to dive 3 or 4 days a week. During the summer when I have more students (I'm a PADI SCUBA instructor) it is more like 4 to 5 days a week. Teaching has its rewards. But so does a leisurely dive with my camera in-hand. This winter has been rough here on the Hilo side. More grey days and colder than usual so up until two weeks ago, it was more like 1 dive every week or two. I (along with another instructor and a divemaster) am taking 6 youngsters on a Discover SCUBA Diving trip, and then in the afternoon Open Water class. So two if not three dives tomorrow.

We have a fireplace in our home (as is quite common in homes above the 1000' elevation on this side of the island) and I've had it burning more in the last two months than I usually do all winter. It's 74deg here in my office right now and I've got a light jacket on! :-)

Scubadoo Loc: Central Indiana

That's great to be able to dive so often.and it's in the high 60s here in Indiana right now,kinda cool but I'm wearing shorts.

I have a wood stove and it will be used tonight,frost warning:(

krashzmom Loc: Columbia, SC

[quote=Scubadoo]That's great to be able to dive so often.and it's in the high 60s here in Indiana right now,kinda cool but I'm wearing shorts.

I have a wood stove and it will be used tonight,frost warning:([/quote

We're having an early summer here it seems. Everyone is wearing shorts and turning on the a/c. 80 plus temps in my corner of the world.

infocus Loc: Australia

kevindcornwell wrote:

We were going to dive further South than Hilo, but... (show quote)

wonderful pictures again. Thanks for sharing them :thumbup: :thumbup:

Lenf Loc: Strasburg,PA

Great shot of the porcupine fish, I am surprised you got so close.. I hope to get to Hawaii next year, and will check with you for dive sites.
Got to swim with 4 whale sharks last week in GA aquarium, but they will not allow you to use my camera. Awesome sharks..
Thanks for your shots.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Kevin,
Those are beautiful shots, yes I used to dive constantly also, did not realize you were an instructor. I don't know what your PADI # is but mine is 42012. And I even knew John Cronin, and dove with Drew Richardson the VP of PADI. I really enjoy it when you name the fish and give the info on them.

George