Newsletter Extra

Aug/Sept 2006 Newsletter

Feature Story Sharks at Sharks Cove For the past 4 yrs I have been answering the question, "Why do they call it Shark's Cove?" Most of the time, my explanation includes "It looks like a shark took a bite out of the land," or "There is a rock that looks like a shark fin when viewed from off shore". Much to the relief of some divers and disappointment of others, I usually state that we never see sharks at shark's cove. However this summer we have been fortunate enough to have a couple white tip reef sharks make the cove their daily sleeping spot. The sandy bottom canyons and caverns make an ideal location for white tips to sleep the day away. The most beneficial aspect of this lucky summer is new divers are able to experience first hand that white tip sharks are nothing to be afraid of. Divers are able to have up close and personal interactions with them with little concern for loss of limbs. In fact the white tips just want to sleep and usually swim away, returning only after the divers have left. These sharks seem to be a bit more comfortable around humans, which has made for some great video. Click on the picture or this link to watch video of "Sharks at Shark's Cove"(2.3meg)

Creature Feature Hawaiian Stingray In honor of the passing of Steve Irwin (the Crocodile Hunter) we are featuring the Hawaiian Stingray (Hawaiian name- lupe or hihimanu). Steve Irwin was second only to Jacques Cousteau regarding generating awareness of our environment and the importance of the animals in it. As crazy as he was on his shows, no other individual in today's world did more for global conservation. We believe that Steve would not want the creature that took his life to be viewed as a vicious killer. A close relative to the shark, stingrays are beautiful animals that play a key role in our marine ecosystem. They glide with effortless movement through the water, the result of millions of years of design perfection. Hawaiian stingrays can be seen anywhere while diving the islands, just not seen very often. Usually scouring the ocean floor searching for crabs and mollusks. The tail does contain a venomous barb, which the ray will raise as a warning or for protection if startled or attacked. As you can see from the video, I get pretty close to some big rays and they appear as docile as ever. I'm just going to approach them from the side from now on, if I can. Click here Watch Video (2.6meg)

Dive Site of the month Makaha Caverns Dive Site: Makaha Caverns Depth: 20 - 50 feet (30ft average) Location: West Side (Waianae Harbor) Season: All year Visibility: 30 - 100ft Level: Beginner - Advanced Sea Life: Turtles, Turtles, Turtles and more Turtles! Octopus, Rays, Eels, Reef fish, …and sometimes White tip Sharks. Spinner Dolphin often accompanies the dive boats to and from the site. Located on Oahu's west side, Makaha Caverns is a great dive for all levels of experience. Accessible by boat (or shore, but the swim is long) the site contains vast marine life swarming the reef tops. The caverns make great swim-thru's, creating unique hiding places for sleeping turtles and white tip sharks. This video shows a day where the turtles were quite abundant along with what appears to be a 6+ ft pregnant female white tip shark! Click here Watch Video (2.8meg)

Jamie's Corner Who rules the roost Well Peeps (now renamed Poop Head, cause she does) is all grown up. Check out our past newsletter, March 05, to see her as a baby chick, Past newsletters are located at the bottom of our website homepage. She is quite the egg layer and rules the yard! Check out her latest video to see her in action with KD, our Sheltie mix dog. They are great friends and playmates. Please do not try this at home (like anyone else but us has a chicken, except in the freezer). Click here Watch Video (4.0meg)

KEEP OUR OCEANS BLUE

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