The turtles in the coastal waters off the Hawaiian islands are safeguarded by law. In fact, there's a $15,000 fine for 'harrassing or chasing' them.
So when we were finning peaceably over some beautiful
antler and brain coral and happened across a dozing specimen, we weren't sure exactly what to do.
Our shadow or exhaust bubbles must have woken the creature, though, because as we tried to move away, it glided up from the seabed and with a look of minimal interest, took a tour around
us. Deciding that we weren't a threat (or edible) it then began to gracefully drift away.
At that point, I remembered about the camera and, hoping that photography didn't constitute 'harrassment', snapped this shot.
Back on land, we decided that it had been the most memorable, albeit fleeting, association with a wild animal. Until, of course, we swam with ...
to be continued
# posted by Mr.D. @ 12:39 PM
Drinking and Driving (but clearly not simultaneously)
