The last 2 1/2 weeks have unveiled an incredible array of sea creaturea — some entirely new to me, some “new to Hawaii” and some unidentified, new species. The highlights? Swimming with a graceful manta,seeing my first Smooth Sea Horse and Harlequin Shrimps. Who comes up with these designs? Two inches max, these Harlequins, these colourful little clown-like shrimp have claws meant to tear apart live sea stars — cute but vicious. The Pilsbry’s Headshield Slug is a “new to me” sea slug. Thanks to Shawn Caley for finding the last three in the murky, mucky, rubble of North Kihei and to the wonderful Turtle Team for the manta. Thankful, too, for the beauty of tiny flatworms that lurk in shells, wind their way across sponge and ascidian-covered rocks and just make me smile! Oh . . . and the Borradaile’s Ghost Shrimp — always lurking in holes hidden in the rocks and reef and rarely seen!
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