Mele Kalikimaka meka Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

In the holiday spirit, shooting with good friends.

IBIS-Not a Cattle Egret

Jack Jeffrey told me about this bird. Since it was him, it must have been important so I went and shot it. From the net it seems this is a rare bird for Hawaii, that it may have come from a very small population from another island. The beginning of that population may have been from people or by flying from the mainland US. This bird has brown eyes and beautiful colored wings. Hilo, Hawaii Oct 23, 2009.

Mushrooms

I found these mushrooms growing inside some hollow tile blocks laying out in the yard. A couple of weeks after their portraits, they all disappeared.

Hawaiian Noni

This photo was part of a project for advertising Noni. Noni is believed to have medicinal powers, and has been used by some to fight cancer.

The Crown of Hawaii's Native Poppy

The "pua kala" was used by ancient Hawaiians for medicinal purposes. However, unlike its cousin, it does not contain the morphine and codeine alkaloids.

Hawaiian Hawk

The Hawaiian Hawk on the hunt.

RECOVERED SUNKEN TREASURE

This statue of King Kamehameha I was commissioned to honor this ruler who united the Hawaiian Islands and to commemorate the 100 year discovery of Hawaii by Captain Cook. Designed by a Boston sculptor living in Italy, the statue was shipped from Europe in 1883. Unfortunately the ship with the statue wrecked near the Falkland Islands and a second statue was commissioned with insurance money. About two years later, this original statue was discovered as rescued by Falkland islanders. The same ship captain purchased the statue, brought it to Hawaii and resold it to the government. The minor damages were repaired and the statue now stands in Kapa`au, Kohala, the birthplace of King Kamehameha. Every year on June 11th, the five Kamehameha statues are decorated: Kapa`au, Hilo, Honolulu, Maui, Washington,D.C. Can you imagine the fragrance?

Honolulu City Lights

Diamond Head with University of Hawaii at Manoa, to the left, and Waikiki and Honolulu communities, right.

Makapu`u Beach, East Oahu, Hawaii

The Birds For Pacific University's Dr. Phil Creighton

Hawaiian Nene Family

Hawaiian Hawk

Apapane (Honeycreeper)

Our Friend Koa

Although she had a primary caregiver, Koa spent time at several residences in the community. She was always welcome and will always be missed.

Another Sunset---So?

With the Halemaumau Event pouring more ash and sulphur dioxide into the air, sunsets such as this have become rare due to the cloud hovering at the horizon line. Most times the sun sets 5 degrees above the obscured horizon. It is a treat to see the horizon again and realizing it has been taken for granted all these years. Normal wind patterns block our horizon.

Kukui Nut Flower

Surinam Cherry

Great White Lunch Time??

Very interesting! It is actually the upper half of the tail fluke of a playing baby whale.

Baby Whale Watch, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Here are a series of photos of a baby whale that breached about 17 times. As you can see, it performed near shore. Mother, though out of sight, was right next to her youngster the whole time!! Can you imagine what folks would be doing if mom was breaching there?

Whale Watch Trip

It has taken four years to get some decent breaching shots. This guy was actually one of a pair that was breaching at the same time(within 1.5 seconds of each other).

Haleiwa Visitor

On his way to visit the scene of LOST, this green sea turtle looks sharp hoping to be noticed by the presently absent producers, or even the security guard. He even supplies his own close-up portrait.

Haleiwa LOST

My wife grew up on this beach and our favorite campsite was or is LOST over to the left.

Volcanic Eruption Hawaii

The photos show Ocean Entry, the Pu'u O'o vent with ocean entry about three miles distant, and a kipuka, an area missed by the lava flow, but surrounded by it. The residence in the kipuka is used as a bed and breakfast with access by helicopter.