Hawaii: UFO

Moonset over Mauna Loa from Jaggar Museum in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Halemaumau Fire-in-the-Hole

Normally called the Halemaumau Firepit, this vent is just above the floor of the firepit. The vent diameter is estimated to be 130 feet across. Access was finally granted to drive to the Jaggar Museum along the edge of the Kilauea Caldera to get a better view of the vent from which the sulphur dioxide and ash cloud was pouring. There were about 40 people, mostly tourist, here at 10 pm enjoying the event.

Refer to the Tuesday, April 1, 2008 photo, change in volcanic activity. This is the source of the cloud.

Oregon Ducks?

I think these are some type of cormorant, but not sure. I followed them for about an hour in a lake near Sisters, Oregon. Mom was leading them around and all were diving and some came up with some sort of crustacean, crawdads? Anyway the kids began settling down on the log and mom joined them for a nap.

Hawaii: Change in Volcanic Activity

Mid-March 2008, brought a major change in the current eruption of the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. A fissure opened up in the Halemaumau Firepit in the Kilauea Caldera. Along the edges of the caldera on opposite sides perch the Volcano House and Restaurant, and the Jaggar Museum and Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory.

Currently, a cloud of sulphur dioxide and ash is now pouring out of the fissure, spreading its potentially dangerous emissions towards distant downwind communities. Should the winds change to coming from the south, communities in the town of Volcano within 15 miles of the emissions may have to be evacuated. Hawaii Volcanoes are said to be the non-explosive type, unlike Mount St. Helens.

Hawaii: Green Sea Turtles

Two of a group of four turtles resting at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. One is heading back to sea. Most days turtles can be seen resting along this beach, as well as foraging among the tide pools and just off shore.