Here's That Fish!

It would be wrong of me not to link to this, despite feeling there were far too many column inches devoted to yours truly. Those in the know are aware I am a long standing Ron Shillingford fan, so I am flattered, if slightly embarassed by the attention.

For those of you still looking for the teensy fish, I have cropped an image for your convenience. ;-) Betcha the stripey little fellow will look relatively large if you click!



Back in the great white north (that thankfully is not yet white) it was 6:30 swim practice this morning! I still have a bit of travel related discombobulation, though!

Questions, Crabs & Chitons!

Yesterday Meg asked:

Was it pretty windy but still warm? I don't remember the water being so choppy!

Yes. And that's exactly why the 5K swim was cancelled/postponed. The temperature was around 30°C, but the sea was very busy.

What was your favorite part of the trip?

I enjoyed swimming in the sea, walking on the beach, meeting new people, seeing G & E, volunteering at the tri — but mostly hanging out with my brother.

What did TB do when you got home?

As I opened the door he was looking right at me! He let out a happy yowl and immediately started speed work. After wind sprints and a snack, much cuddling was required. He does not always sleep with me, but the past two nights he's been making sure I stay put! I am lucky, in that he is a good trainer. He knows not to punish me for good behaviour like returning home!

And now for the POTD: Not far from the sanderling, there were crabs and chitons — most of the crabs were camera shy, though! Clicking should bring them closer.

Home Again, Home Again!

But not quite lickety split! There will be many more TIP photos to come, but for now I will leave you with surf and a sanderling! Clicking should get you closer.

There Be Pirates!

And on things piratical, a big thank you to Tony at SCAQ for a wonderful shout-out.

There also be fishes. From larger ones to really, really wee ones! There's a little bit of a fish in this tidal pool. You will probably need to click to find it — it is a very small stripey fish!



Although I may still have been overheated from Coach Mike's workout last night — the warm pool water combined with hypoxic sets makes for a wicked practice! — I had a lovely mile sea swim to start the day today. Sadly, I must soon start to pack in order to wing my way back tomorrow, but it will be delightful to see The Boarder!

Good Times!

Seriously, folks, it just does not get much better than this!!!!

And yesterday no sooner had I put the wax body marking pencil down than I was a last minute addition to an Olympic distance tri relay team — two sea swims in two days. Doubtless there will be some tri photos to come. Tonight's plans call for outdoor swimming at masters practice, then a bite with G & E at Fidel's.

But today's snapshot is another cute little curly-tailed lizard (much smaller than the last) hunting very small insects as they walk up the tree trunk.



I am, however, completely stymied as to why a click won't get you closer. I may have to try again later!

Unofficial Sea Swim ...

An intrepid group of swimmers met early yesterday morning at Governor's Beach despite the cancellation of the Official Pirates Week 5K Sea Swim. The seas were calmer especially in some spots, so with the adept assistance of Coach Jerry Harper (as our referee, chief timer, and clerk of the course) and Brent as starter and official photographer (I had tucked my camera into my swim bag), we swam anyway.

Here's Kate Alexander, our race director, drawing the course:



Our merry band of swimmers, and Coach Jerry:



In we go (oh, sure it looks flat here!):



And we're off!



It was a lovely swim, although I must say the sea was much flatter this morning! As usual, images are clickable, and for those who are interested, have not been photshopped. The colours are real!

TIP Day 3, The Sequel

Near Treasure Island.



Near The Grandview.



Tri-coloured heron! I find close-ups with the point and shoot to be softer in focus than I would really like, so clicking doesn't get you the detail you may be accustomed to.

TIP: Day 3

Rooster!



Snowy egret hunting insects.



Northern curly-tailed lizard (adult!).

More photos to come!