Hermit Crab in a Vase Sponge

Good evening my cyber friends.  Have any of you ever had to start your vehicle with a can of starting fluid??  Well the reason I ask is when I was at work yesterday one of our construction guys was trying to start the old Sea Aquarium pick-up truck that is used for just about everything!  Instead of starting fluid he grabbed a can of bug killer, opened the hood and spayed it into the carburetor??  It was just plain o’l roach/ant killer and with a turn of the switch it started right up!  I think the look on my face said it all, I just stood there in shock.  I asked how’s that possible?  They told me that the ingredients are almost the same as a can of starting fluid and it’s ten times cheaper, crazy huh, give it a try I bet it works!

Aimee and I started this fine day with a two hour walk with the dogs, ha you thought I was going to say three hour walk huh?  After we got our dive gear together and took off to Caracas Bay in search of squids which we never did find.  Aimee did find this beautiful crab having lunch at the “Open Sponge Cafe” and called me over to check him out.  He was just sitting there in his very mossed over shell munching away at little bits of alga and could have cared less about our presence, normally they are very shy and are only seen at night.  We found so many scorpionfish today including one baby one that we took photos of using the magnifying glass, it’s pretty cool!  The water is still freezing cold, like 79 degrees, we were both very chilled by the end of the dive.

It’s still raining in Curacao!  We are now on our fifth month of rain, I was going to go riding but was unable to after our last down-pour at 4:00.

Many thanks for all the great compliments they really help to keep me going!  Till tomorrow, Barry

03-12-2009

Caribbean-Parakeet

Good evening all,  it’s strange writing two of these in the same day, now I know why I try so hard to do them at night.  Today at work I walked out to take pictures of a dolphin swim when I noticed a baby blue tang (fish) laying up on the concrete along the waters edge.  Wait this has a happy ending!  I said to myself “oh poor little thing, how did you get up here” thinking it was dead!  I gently poked it with the tip of the umbrella I was carrying and he moved!!  I quickly dropped the umbrella, gently picked him up and tossed him back in the water.  As I watched he first just kind of floated sideways but minutes later after swimming in circles he started to swim normally and after five minutes of wondering what just happened he took off, is that amazing or what?  I saw him 30 minutes later in the same spot swimming in and out of a little cave.  He would have had to jump almost 2 feet out of the water to get up there and no I do not think this was a suicide attempt!  But weird huh?

Here’s a bird that drives me crazy!  These beautiful Caribbean or Brown-throated Parakeets are scared of everything making it very difficult to get close to them.  I took this picture out of my car window yesterday, if I would have gotten out he would have been gone!  These birds are usually always in pairs or in groups and can easily be found, just listen for the loud squawking and follow the noise!

Aimee went with Eveline tonight to her three hour dog training class somewhere on the island.  I am guessing it’s a long ways away because every time she goes we have to put gas in the car the next day.

It’s time to get the o’l grill fired up for a chicken wing fiesta, I’ll talk to you all tomorrow, Barry

03-11-2009

Pederson-Shrimp

Good morning,  I got caught up in the movie “Fracture” last night on HBO, great movie but after I had no energy left to be on the computer.  I again had a busy day starting with yes, you guessed it a three hour trip to the ocean with the dogs.  I am still working on my “shoe tree”, collected another 100 flip-flops yesterday and piled them next to my tree just need to tie them on.  While I was there I decided to pick up a pile of nice driftwood that Aimee had hidden for me up high on a cliff a few weeks back.  I got it all loaded in our big dive bag and attempted to lift in onto my back, it was heavy!  The first step I took I slipped on some loose rock and down I went rolling down the side of the cliff alongside the waters edge landing with my butt stuck into a big barrel cactus, ouch!!  I just laid their motionless on my side still with the 40pound pack on trying to pull the cactus loose from my body, I was stuck to it!  Inca came running down and started licking my face as if to say it’s going to all right, never seen her do that before she seemed really concerned!  Well after getting the pack off I managed to stand back up, I then had to strip down (not a pretty sight) and slowly pull out spines one by one, I think I got them all it feels better this morning.  After about 30 minutes of crying like a baby I got myself and the wood back to the car, I let Inca drive home!

Your photo is a little Pederson cleaner shrimp sitting on a nice purple anemone, found this on my last trip to Small Wall with Mark.  These little shrimps are everywhere and always a joy to photograph and if your real still may venture over to check you out.

Very tired this morning from more trail cleaning last night followed by another bike ride.  I also spent three hours yesterday working on our new table, this baby’s gonna be heavy!

Talk to you tomorrow, I have to get to work, Barry

03-10-2009

Cacti-Shadow

Good evening,  here’s a fun picture compliments of Aimee and her great eyes!  She is the one responsible for finding this cool shadow made from a single leaf projected onto the top of beautiful barrel cactus.  We found this on one of our many hikes around Saint Joris early in the morning.  It’s so important for me to have help finding photos to take above and below water, four eyes are better than two!

We did a fun family bike ride this evening with the dogs, it was only four miles but we all had a great time!  I have started working on my driftwood furniture again, trying to finish this monster table that’s been just sitting here waiting since Christmas, I have to get it done!!

Sorry so short, it’s late and I am wiped out.  Sunny Curacao regards, Barry

03-09-2009

Green-Turtle

Good evening friends, I did a super fun dive with the World famous Dive Bus company today at a place called Small Wall.  Usually this is a boat dive but it can be done by shore or by starting at Directors Bay and swimming out to it like I did today!!  I was the only one who swam out, the others all walked along the coast, there was just no way I could have walked that far carrying my big heavy camera and all my gear, I float better than I walk!  The first thing that was spotted was this beautiful green turtle!  He or she was around two feet in length and was just as majestic as they come, they are just so fun to watch!  There was a slight current today and the water wasn’t real clear but that didn’t stop us all from having a great time.  We ended up starting at the tip of Small Wall and diving all the way back to Directors Bay following the beautiful wall the whole way in.

Last night I did a bunch of trail cleaning.  I swept most of the bad areas on the World Cup course and started on the Calabash.  After an hour of that I went on a one hour ride to enjoy the fruits of my labor, it was great.  I am slowly getting back into shape and love the new bike I got from my buddy Dan in the States, it rides like a dream.

Talk to you tomorrow, Barry

03-08-2009

American-Kestral

For my bird lovers this evening we have a nice little American Kestrel.  Our mating pair is back and it looks like they have at least two youngsters with them as well.  For my local bird photographers grab your camera and head to the Sea Aquarium.  They can easily be found behind the new Dolphin Suites Hotel perched high on a cacti, light pole, tree or as you see here a piece of wood.  We think this is one of the younger ones, like a year old because the two adults were sitting next to each other while this one flew all around them but staying close at the same time.  I am always amazed at how close these beautiful birds of prey will let you get to them without flying off, this little one was just a squawking away and in the distance you could hear another one answer.

We had a wonderful time at the Avila Hotel last night was so great to see our friend Tone.  Today was Aimee’s last vacation day, it’s back to work for her tomorrow, if you can call playing with dolphins work??
Hope you all are doing well, I am diving Small Wall tomorrow at 10:30 with the Dive Bus folks then off to the North coast to see the giant waves that are now rolling in.  See Ya, Barry

03-07-2009

Spotted-Drum

Hi friends,  I first want to wish our dear friend Tone a very Happy Birthday!  Tone is our enthusiastic, fun loving, tall beautiful blond friend who runs the Avila Hotel!  And guys before you even ask, she is now married!!  You had your chance!

Here’s another fun way to take a picture of a spotted drum!  This little guy was so small, about the size of Aimee’s thumb and never stopped swimming!  I had Aimee just rest her hand on the sand and we waited for the little drum to swim into the magnifier, yes that sounds easy but it took forever, the things we try for a photo!

Have to go, it’s off to the Avila for a little Birthday party, Curacao regards, Barry

03-06-2009

I

Photographing an Island Dog

Good evening, it was yet another fast paced fun day with Aimee and the hound dogs!  We started with a three hour hike, then a dive, some shopping, mountain biking and topped it off with another fine dinner compliments of our little grill.  Your photo this evening is of Aimee taking a photo of Indi.  Indi was watching something in the background giving Aimee those valuable seconds to take a picture of her new puppy.

Sorry so short gang, we have Sharon here now for dinner and then looking at all her fun pictures from her fun trip with Luke.

See you tomorrow, Barry

03-05-2009

Snorkeler with Mother and Baby Dolphin

Hi all,  We have had wild dolphins passing by for the past week right out front almost every day, spinners and bottlenose it’s just so cool to see.  I wasn’t sure if I sent this to you all or not??  This is Aimee free diving with Tela and her new baby Pasku.  Both the new babies are doing great and are now best of friends chasing and playing with each other non-stop all day long only taking a break for a little sip of milk!  My dear wife along with a few others at the Aquarium have the unique ability to hold their breath for quite a long time, Aimee can go over 3 minutes!  The last time I tried I could only do it for like a minute and forty seconds and for me that was a long time!  I love watching Aimee swim with the dolphins underwater, she’s so gentle and loving with them and they seem to just love the calm relaxed attention!

I just got home from my fourth bike ride this week, am really trying to get myself into shape fast!  Our friend Luke you know “Luke and Sharon” may be coming for a visit in the next few weeks and I told Aimee I have to get in shape to ride with him, don’t want him riding our trails by himself!

See you tomorrow, Barry

03-04-2009

Yawning-Dalmation

Good evening from a little island in the Caribbean!  Here’s a funny photo of Inca yawning.  I was making her stand in this nice tall grass for a photo but she was bored out of her mind and the funny thing is this turned out to be the best shot of the day!!  Aimee and I will be at Saint Joris in the morning starting at around 7:30 for any of you wanting to join??  We are also planning a dive at Pier Baai around 12:00 give me a call as well if you want to tag along.

To my amazement I have rode the bike three times this week, I am on a mission to get back into shape!  Sorry so short it was a mega busy day at work and I am beat!  See you soon, Barry

03-02-2009

Kite Surfing

Hello friends,  I hope you enjoyed your weekend, they sure go by fast don’t they!!  Sorry about the no blog last night or this morning just had way to many things to do.  This morning I took the dogs and my camera gear on a four hour hike around Saint Joris bay, it was so much fun!!  The prickly pear cactus are now blooming all over the island with big beautiful yellow flowers, if you have time my local friends you should check them out.  We spent the morning hiking along the waters edge collecting driftwood and other treasures, the dogs chased each other and I took pictures have lots of fun new stuff to send.  During our hike we were met my our friends Matthias and Natalie and their two dogs, one of them is Kaya who we rescued from certain death along the side of the road remember?  After walking with them for an hour, Matthias grabbed his board and took off to do some kite surfing.  I actually was getting ready to go home but thought, what the heck I have the day off so lets go watch and maybe shoot some pictures.  Turned out to be a great time!  One by one other kite surfers found out were I was standing (which was on the other side of the bay) and would surf over to us and do these wild insane jumps in the air, I loved it but the dogs went crazy!  Our friend DJ would come so close that Inca and Indi would run out into the water thinking they were going to get him but DJ would turn his board at the last second soaking both of them to the bone, I laughed so hard it hurt!  And you would think these dogs would learn but no he just kept splashing them over and over.  For those of you who don’t know what kite surfing is, they have a kite or parachute which is attached to long lines that gets pulled by the wind all you have to do is hold on, it’s like snow-boarding with a parachute!  Anyways, Matthias and DJ were really going crazy out there, I think they spent more time in the air then in the water, maybe that’s the point?  To say I have two tired dogs now is an understatement, Inca won’t move from her bed the rest of the day and I love it!

I will talk to you all again soon, good luck with your Monday, Barry

February 28, 2009

Grand Carnival

Hey guys, this was my personal “hands down favorite” costume from this years Grand Kanaval!  And just a reminder I am spelling Carnival the way they spell it here in Papiamento so it’s Karnaval.  This young girl and her three friends were on stilts dancing there way down the street, you just had to see it to believe it!!  All three of them had to battle high winds but seemed to have no fear at all but just in case they all wore helmets built into their fun costumes!  This lovely little thing came over to me like a walking giant and spun herself around and opened her cape, she looked like a super hero and had the crowd going wild, it was so great!  I was curious how long these long legged beauties could stay up there before needing a break and got my answer shortly after this photo was taken.  They were being followed by a truck that had a high seat or bench built in for them to take a much needed rest, there they drank water, fixed their outfits and posed for you know who!!

For all you asking about Sharon and Luke, all I know is the trip went great and I think she is back in Curacao??  I am waiting for a call Sharon, 661-5795.  I got an e-mail from Luke saying he will be down here soon, we can hardly wait!!

It was a very nice day in Curacao today.  Aimee is taking a week off and spent the morning hours at Saint Joris bay playing with the dogs, taking pictures and collecting driftwood.

Talk to you all tomorrow, Barry

February 27, 2009

Spotted Moray

Hi all, I had another great dive today with my friend Mark at Pier Baai.  We again set out to find the seahorse with hopes of doing some more fun “creative shots” but it wasn’t in the cards!  We did see the silly squirrelfish in the same sponge but ended up leaving him for another day.  I found this very big spotted moray eel and just had to take his picture, he was in the perfect spot with a nice black background what more could you ask for??  These eels just poke their heads out of the reef during the day and at night come all the way out and go hunting, so if there are any fish reading this, Beware!!  After 30 some minutes Mark signaled me with his crazy underwater impression of a galloping horse, he had found the seahorse!  The bad news was he was in a spot that was not good for photographs and NO for those of you asking we can not move him to a different area!   So we just admired him and took off we both had run out of time to be at that depth and took off to shallower waters.

After the dive I got my bike ready and took off for an hour and a half ride to the castle at Baya.  There I have a Geocache hidden and it was in need of some trail trimming to get to it.  I received an e-mail a few days ago from some Geocachers that they found it but got really cut up getting to it and today I found out why, it was completely covered in thorn bushes!  I also found out today how out of shape I have gotten, it’s back to the bike for awhile!

After spending the rest of shopping I am now beat, I made Aimee some delicious food on a stick tonight and am waiting for the grill to heat up.  Hope all is well, Curacao regards, Barry

February 26, 2009

Squirrelfish

Good evening friends,  I must say today was not much fun!  It was a typical busy cruise ship day with zero time for rest!  So, not every day is fun and games for us!

This is Mark with the most tame squirrelfish I have ever seen!!  This fish seems to love that sponge and must call it his home??  I lost track of many times he swam in and out of that thing but tomorrow we are going back to see if he is still there, I am betting he is!

Sorry so short friends, I have a grill full of ribs that needs my immediate attention, see you tomorrow, Barry
February 25, 2009

Yellow Seahorse

Good evening boys and girls.  Ok, I am starting to feel a little guilty for always having so much fun but I just can’t help it!  Blame Aimee she’s the one that brought us here to this Caribbean play-pen!!!  Today I met Mark at the Dive Bus, that’s next to Breezes, and off we went in search of the new yellow seahorse that was spotted a few weeks ago!!  We were at 60 feet when I noticed a big red squirrelfish sitting inside a big red sponge and knew from experience that getting that photo would most likely be impossible!  Slowly I inched my way towards him and like expected off he went.  I figured what the heck Mark is looking for the seahorse still so I will just quietly lay here and wait to see if he returns?  I wasn’t there for more than a minute when back he came and rested inside the sponge again this time completely unafraid of my presence!  As time passed he got more and more used to me and I took picture after picture, so divers next time you see something cool and it swims off, just wait and I bet it returns, most of these fish are very territorial.  Moments after shooting my tame fish Mark signaled me, he had found the yellow seahorse!  I never get tired of these creatures they are so beautiful!!  We were only able to view this little sea treasure for just a few moments because they are usually very shy and do not like visitors with cameras and magnifying glasses!  The water was also very cold, 79 degrees, Marks hand was shaking so trying to get this shot proved to be nothing short of a small miracle, and yes folks 79 degrees is cold!!  The rest of our dive was spent looking for any and all other strange things that stood out from the reef, much harder than it seems!

Many months ago Tom, our best buddy in Tucson submitted photos of mine to the NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association) and to my disbelief they were selected as winning photos!?  You can see them and the other 97 winning images from 2008 here at this link, Tom also has photos in here as well.

http://www.nanpa.org/showcase_gallery.php

Mark and Suzy are on there way over to our casa for dinner this evening so I need to go, have a wonderful day tomorrow, see you soon, Barry

February 24, 2009