Visitor on the Back Porch: Madagascar Day Gecko

Madagascar day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis, Hawaii. I found this little guy peering through a fence at me yesterday morning. They are quite beautiful and have apparently naturalized into Hawaii.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls, Hilo, Hawaii. This huge waterfall is just outside of Hilo and is so named, due to the rainbow visible on sunny days. These falls are somewhat unique among Hawaiian Waterfalls in that the water has carved a huge cave in back of the falls, providing a great backdrop for the mist and rainbows caused by the falling torrents of water.

Raccoon Butterflyfish

A few individuals out of a large school of Raccoon Butterflyfish, Chaetodon lunula, Waio'Opae Preserve, Hawaii.

Seaweed for Lunch

Green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, grazing on seaweed, Hawaii. There was an audible crackling sound of the Sea Turtle's Beak against the lava rock as he/she scraped off seaweed from the rock base.

In Search of the I'Iwi

I'iwi, Vestiaria coccinea or scarlet honeycreeper, Hawaii. These have near threatened status and are imperilled by their susceptibility to avian malaria, avian pox, habitat loss and predation by non-native species. These can be found high on the slopes of Mauna Loa, typically above 4500 ft. (due to the lack of mosquitos). Reasonably decent sized populations remain on Hawaii, Maui and Kauai and isolated populations remain on Oahu and Molokai. While not endangered, these little birds are typically found high up in the canopy of old growth Ohia and Koa and are somewhat difficult photograph (just give me a good duck to photograph instead...). Thus, this blurry photograph was the best of those taken after several hours of hiking and squinting at tree tops. The birds proved somewhat skittish and generally flew off as you approached except for those in the highest trees. Autofocus in dense bramble is also a bit of a beast...

The Ever Persistent White Spotted Puffer

White Spotted Puffer, Carthigastor jactator, Waio'Opae, Hawaii. One of a pair of little puffers that were persistently attempting to get at a Damselfish's nest. The Damselfish (not shown) valiantly chased them off time and time again, nipping fins and badgering, only for them to return once more.

Don't say Nay, Say Nene!

Hawaiian Nene Goose, Branta sandvicensis, at Mele Kohola on the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. The nene goose is the Hawaii state bird. While there were once up to 25,000 birds, the population was reduced to 30 birds in 1952 due to habitat loss and predation by mongoose, rats and feral cats. After successful captive breeding and reintroduction, they are once again found in the wild on the islands of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii where they have been successfully re-introduced.

Akaka Falls

Akaka Falls, Hawaii. These falls descend 442 feet into a stream-carved gorge and are surrounded by lush tropical jungle full of ginger, heliconia and orchids. Most of the exotic flowers were originally planted, giving it the atmosphere of a botanical gardens where the plants have settled in and begun to self-propagate. For you orchid growers, I will note that both the Vandas (luzonica) and the Cymbidiums (aloifolium?) had seed pods on them and have apparently gone native.

Birds of the Hawaiian Rainforest: 'Apapane

Juvenile ʻApapane, Himatione sanguinea, feeding from an Ohia Lehua blossom at Kilauea Iki, Hawaii. While threatened by avian influenza, avian malaria and habitat destruction, this Hawaiian honeycreeper remains a fairly common sight among the Ohia lehua trees of the high montane rainforests (above 4100 ft.) on the Big Island of Hawaii. You will typically see a flash of red darting from red Ohia blossom to blossom. While fairly common along the crater rim, it takes a long lens and some patience to get a decent picture. Note that the feathers of this and other Hawaiian honeycreepers were once used to create the Royal Hawaiian helmets, capes and kahilis.

Honest Living, Machete Skills Required

Coconut vendor at the Hilo Farmer's Market. This young man was selling green coconuts at the Hilo Farmer's Market. The coconuts were brought in by the bunch unhusked. He would then hold the coconut in his left hand while he hacked it open with a machete in this right hand (see machete on the ground). The precision at which the machete cleanly cut into coconuts (which are quite difficult to cut/husk, I might add -- although green coconuts are a little easier) was impressive not to mention the inherent danger. It was probably worth getting a coconut just for the show. Coconut husking coming soon to an X Games near you.

Little Mike

Blc. Little Mike at the Hilo Orchid Show. The show runs through Sunday, August 8th.

A Full Plate

Plate Coral, Porites monticulosa, Wae'Opae, Hawaii. Layer upon layer of plate coral down into the depths. It is quite a dramatic and inspiring sight, especially if you dive down into it!

The Not So Black, Black Noddy

Black Noddy, Anous stolidus pileatus or No'io in Hawaiian. Apparently, the Hawaiian form of Black Noddy is greyish (rather than black) and has bright orange feet. This one is nesting in a sea cave next to the neighbor's house.

Waio'Opae

Two Four spot butterflyfish (two spots on either side if you're wondering!) and a Convict tang (Manini) at the Waio'Opae Nature Preserve on the island of Hawaii.

Everybody's a Clown...

Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum.

Fairie Wings and Things in Prickly Places

An Albino Echinopsis with a wing from a previous visitor. One can only wonder where it went, while missing a wing.

Home away from Home

The Marriott Marquis & Marina. This was home for three days during the bar exam.

I'm back!

Exhausted...but back in action. The mural is from the wall at Tivoli in downtown San Diego.

Where is Arnold?

...Studying for the bar. Stay tuned for more photos in August.

Utricularia sandersonii

Utricularia sandersonii (Bladderwort) growing amidst sundews. Utricularia sandersonii is one of a genus of around 227 species. These tiny carnivorous plants are part a genus noted for their trap doored bladders. The trap doors snap open to vacuum in tiny rotifers and protozoa (or larger prey, depending on the species) when the prey brushes against tiny trigger hairs. Utricularia sandersonii is native to South Africa where it grows on wet rock surfaces at 600 to 3600 ft. altitude.