Green Sea Turtle in Hanauma Bay

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle

 The Hawaiian green sea turtle has made a remarkable recovery since being protected by the federal government. Nowadays an encounter like this one in Hanauma Bay, Oahu is an experience that many people get to enjoy.

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Turtle and Sunburst, Oahu

 A Hawaiian green sea turtle glides above me in the shallows near the Halona Blowhole. Hundreds of tourists stop above the blowhole everyday to watch from the cliffs, but very few people venture into the water here. It can be a bit risky going diving here but the rewards can be worth it.

Giant Green Anemone

Giant Green Anemone, (Anthopleura xanthogrammica).

 These relatives of jellyfish can be found along the west coast of the U.S. from Alaska all the way to Baja, Mexico. I photographed this one in the cool waters off Santa Barbara Island at a dive site called Shag Rock. These anemones catch the eye from far away but it is close up that they really put on a colorful show. You would be hard to find this neon green color elsewhere in nature. Just another reason to pay a few more visits to the ocean, even if you aren't in the tropics.