A Diver's Up-Close And Personal Daily Interaction With The Most Adorable Smiling Porcupine Fish
Yuki Nakano is a freediver and an underwater photographer settled in Hawaii. Her work allows her to come across a variety of sea creatures including sea turtles and dolphins.
Naturally, Nakano likes to stay at a distance from them so as not to cause them any disturbance. However, there is one particular porcupine fish who has become fond of Nakano and is also very friendly.
This porcupine fish makes sure that Nakano gets to have a close look at him and is not afraid of close proximity with her. Their first interaction was when Nakano was snorkeling in Oahu.
On first look, she spotted that there is some sort of an injury to the fish's right eye...
Although the fish does not appear to be bothered by the diver but due to the injury, he was unable to swim straight.
Nakano realized that the wound on the eye of the fish look pretty new. She explained;
“When I first saw him, I was wondering why he was staying in the same place. Even though he would normally run away.”
INSTAGRAM/DOLPHIN808M913The next day Nakano came again to check on the fish.
She found him in the same place as the previous day. Even with his impaired vision, the fish did not seem to have any trouble recognizing the diver.
So she gave a pretty toothy smile to Nakano when he was her.
Sometime later, Nakano went to the same place to meet her fish friend.
Unfortunately, he was not found there and it left Nakano worried about him, but she hoped that he is fine wherever he is. She also hoped that, if fate has it, they will again meet one day soon. She says;
“I met him for days and he suddenly disappeared. I believed and waited to see him again.”
INSTAGRAM/DOLPHIN808M913Only three months had passed since Nakano did not find him in their usual meeting point when one day the impossible happened.
Nakano was overwhelmed with happiness saying, “His eye wounds got a lot better and he started smiling. I was happy that he came back and I muttered with my heart, ‘Welcome back! I've been waiting for you.’”
Since Nakano has shared her encounters and pretty smiling pictures and videos of the adorable porcupine fish, her followership has increased manyfold.
The followers admire and feel truly impressed with the fish's expressions. Her friendly “just keep swimming” attitude and that cute toothy smile has won many hearts.
Nakano told, “He makes everyone happy. I like to think he is now the most famous Hawaiian fish.”
