Octopuses and Orcas

  I just learned about something very odd that use to happen in Puget Sound back in the sixties: Octopus wrestling. The sport involved divers who swam around the sound in search of an unsuspecting and ill-fated octopus. The poor octopus would be forcibly removed from it's home, usually an underwater cave, and then it would be cajoled into a battle with an eager diver. After inevitably loosing, the octopus would be dragged to the water's surface where the captor could show off the defeated octopus. Poor octopuses! I am glad that this sport is no longer popular. I can think of a way better sport that diver's should do with octopuses: Octopus dancing. I have observed the octopuses at the Seattle Aquarium. Their long tentacles are like ribbons fluttering in the wind. Their slow movements are filled with grace. During octopus dancing, a diver would lure an octopus out of it's cave, preferably with some sort of octopus treat. Then, the diver would do a sort of bow in the direction of the octopus. If the octopus does not scurry away back to it's home, the diver then begins to dance. It will have to be an odd sort of swim-dancing, but I am sure any enterprising diver could figure out an acceptable dance. Hopefully, the octopus will join in with the dancing. If not, I'm sure the diver will still had fun dancing under the water. (more on Octopus Wrestling.)
  Speaking of water, I went to Orcas Island with a group of friends a couple of weeks ago. We stayed in a cabin near the water. One of the days we were there, we walked to the beach. I befriended an adorable dog. As you can see, he features prominently in many of these pictures.