Male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Location:  Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

This male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) has been a regular visitor to our bird feeders for some time.  Given a choice of mixed seeds, he always goes for the sunflower seeds first.  These birds are native to the eastern United States mainland.  They were introduced into Hawaii in the late 1920s.

Mixed Clouds Over Kawaihae Bay

Kawaihae Bay

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

I live on the northwestern coast of Hawaii's Big Island, and my house is on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  From our garden, we have a clear view of sunsets and weather phenomena over the ocean, and these are among my favorite photography subjects.  This wide-angle photo was taken from my hill a few days ago, in the late afternoon.   It shows a small ship heading for Kawaihae, a port just a few miles down the coast from where I live.  Overhead the sky had been covered for hours with a constantly changing array of clouds ahead of a weather system that was about to move in.   I'm happy to report that this time we did get some rain, although not nearly as much as we need.

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Cooled Pāhoehoe Lava

Pāhoehoe Lava

Location:  Mauna Loa, Big Island, Hawaii

This won't win the prize for the prettiest photo ever posted on this blog, but I thought it would be a good follow-up to my previous post on pāhoehoe lava from Mauna Loa volcano.  This image is a closer view of the surface of pāhoehoe lava, which has cooled and hardened.   This, too, is part of a 1935 flow from Mauna Loa.   As you can see, a hardy lichen has sprouted from a crack, much as a weed would sprout from sidewalk cracks.

Pāhoehoe Lava from Mauna Loa Volcano

Mauna Loa Lava Flow

Location: Big Island, Hawaii

At present, Kilauea volcano is the most well-known of Hawaii's volcanoes - probably because it is vigorously erupting right now, and has been erupting more or less continuously since 1983.  There is another active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, and that would be Mauna Loa.  Although it has not erupted since 1984, Mauna Loa is still considered to be active -- that is, capable of erupting again at any time.  The name Mauna Loa means 'long mountain' in the Hawaiian language.

This photo was taken near a road that runs over a pass between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.   It shows Mauna Loa in the distance, with numerous cooled lava flows cascading down its flanks.  In the foreground is some of the lava from a 1935 eruption.

The type of lava you see in the photo is called pāhoehoe.  It flows like a heavy syrup, and when it cools it has a smooth or wavy surface, much like thick frosting on a cake.  Another type of lava, called ʻaʻā, also is found in flows from all of Hawaii's volcanoes.  ʻAʻā flows are not smooth at all, in contrast to pāhoehoe.   Instead ʻaʻā flows look like disorderly heaps of broken up lava rock -- which is what they are!

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The Weka (Gallirallus australis)

Weka (Gallirallus australis)

Location: Punakaiki, South Island, New Zealand

This the Weka (Gallirallus australis), a flightless bird native to New Zealand.  We saw it at a picnic area where we stopped to eat our lunch, near Punakaiki, on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island.  We had never seen one before, and at first I thought it might be a kiwi.   Fortunately a nearby visitor center had a chart identifying all the local birds, and we learned this was a Weka, also called a Woodhen.

It appeared that this individual hung out regularly at the picnic area where we saw it, looking for handouts.  It was not very shy.   It would come to within a meter of any humans who looked like they might have some food.     I thought this one was quite a nice looking bird.

New Zealand's Eglinton River Valley

Eglinton River

Location: South Island, New Zealand

The Eglinton River valley lies north of the town of Te Anau, on the way to Milford Sound in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park.  Without a doubt, this was one of our favorite areas of New Zealand's South Island.   The landscape was ruggedly beautiful and there were more hiking trails than we could have tried in a lifetime.

Morning Sky in Rural Hawaii

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

Never go out for an early morning walk without your camera.  If you do, you'll surely see something worth photographing, and you will have to run back to the house for your camera, just as I had to do a few days ago.  Fortunately I had only walked about 200 meters down the road from my house when I saw this scene.

This was the sky I saw a little past 7 AM that day.  The sun had just cleared the top of Mauna Kea -- the mountain in the far left of this photo -- and was shining brightly into the clouds as if trying to melt them.   Indeed, the clouds overhead were starting to dissipate without giving us any rain again!!  We really, really need rain in my area.  If you don't believe me, look at the color of the grass in the field in the foreground.

In the center of the photo is Mauna Loa, the second highest mountain in Hawaii.  It was partly obscured that morning by a layer of "vog" that had drifted over from Kilauea, a volcano that is erupting vigorously at present.  "Vog" is what we call the haze produced from volcanic emissions here in Hawaii. (Kilauea is not visible in this photo.)

The mountain on the right hand side of the photo -- the one trying to hide behind the coconut trees -- is called Hualalai.   Later in the day, Hualalai became completely obscured by the vog, but at this point in the morning, the sky above it was clear and blue.

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Jet Boating on New Zealand's Shotover River

Jet Boat

Location:  Shotover River, South Island, New Zealand

North of Queenstown, on New Zealand's South Island, is the Shotover River.   The Shotovover is a fast-flowing river famous these days for water sports such as white-water rafting and jet boat rides.   In earlier days, the Shotover was known as a rich source of gold, and we understand there was quite a gold-mining boom in the area in the 19th century.

Yes, the water really is that pale turquoise color.  The source of the river is in the island's Southern Alps, and the color of the water (we were told) is due to minerals and tiny ice crystals in the water from the melting glaciers that feed the river.

View from the Pololū Lookout on Hawaii's Big Island

Location: Pololū Lookout, Big Island, Hawaii

There is a large section of the northeastern coast of Hawaii's Big Island that is not accessible by road.  The area is wild and very rugged.  At the northern end of this area, the paved road stops at the top of a place called Pololū Valley.  There is a lookout point there, and this is the view.   It was a bit cloudy on the day I took this photo, but even on very clear days, the view south often looks a bit misty from sea spray.

The meadow in the foreground of this photo is situated at the top of some sea cliffs.  The vertical drop from the seaward edge of that meadow to the ocean is about 400 feet (about 122 meters).  It is not unusual to see horses grazing in that meadow.

There is a steep hiking trail that descends into the valley from the place where this photo was taken.  At the base of the trail is a black sand beach, although it's not a very safe place to swim due to rough water and strong currents just offshore.

If you could get into a boat at the mouth of Pololū Valley and follow the coast, you would pass by a number of other wild valleys.  Eventually you would come to Waipi'o Valley. (If you visited last week for MyWorld, you may remember the photo of Waipi'o Valley that I posted.)

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New Little Pineapple

Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

Awhile back I posted a photo of a green pineapple - just about full grown, but not quite ready to pick.  Here is a macro photo of a much smaller pineapple in my garden.  In real life, this one is only about two inches (5 cm) tall.   At this stage, it looks more like a pine cone than a fruit.  Notice that it has just the mere beginnings of what will become its tall crown.  This one will not be fully grown and ripe enough to pick until next summer.

New Zealand's Earl Mountains

Earl Mountains

Location:  Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand

Here is another photo from our trip to New Zealand's South Island last year. This is a view of the inland side of a range called the Earl Mountains.  The photo was taken from a hiking trail near the road that goes from Te Anau to Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park.

Although it had rained steadily the day before, on this day the sky was a pristine blue.  Some puffy cumulus clouds were hugging the very tops of the mountains, partially hiding the fingers of melting snow near the peaks.  

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Color Varieties of Russell Lupines

Russell Lupines (Lupinus polyphyllus)

Location: Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand

Last December when we were in New Zealand, we saw these beautiful Russell Lupines growing wild practically everywhere we went on the South Island.  They were profuse on roadsides, beside hiking trails, along streams, and in meadows.   The colors were a feast for the eyes.   Most were in shades of blues, pinks, and purples.  Occasionally we saw some yellow ones.

Hawaii's Waipi'o Valley

Waipi'o Valley

Location:  Hamakua Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

This is the Waipi'o Valley, situated on the northeastern coast of Hawaii's Big Island in an area known as the Hamakua Coast.  It is one of those end of the road locations, not on the way to or from anywhere else, and is sparsely populated.  Most of the people who live there are taro farmers.

The valley extends inland about six miles from the coast, and is completely covered with lush tropical vegetation.  At the ocean edge, the valley is fringed with about a mile of black sand beach.  Steep cliffs completely surround the valley, and in some places rise nearly 2,000 feet above the valley floor.

Waipi'o Valley is a popular tourist destination.   Visitors can tour the valley on horseback, or by riding a mule-drawn wagon to see the many waterfalls cascading down the sides of the cliffs.

I took this photo last week from a lookout near the top of the treacherous road that leads to the floor of the valley.  The road is steep -- a 25% grade -- so only four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed on it.  It takes about a half hour to drive slowly from the lookout to the valley below.  You can also hike down the road if you are fit.  I have no idea how long that takes!

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Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

According to the Hawaii Audubon Society, the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) was introduced to Hawaii from India in 1865.  Mynas are abundant in our area.

This individual and its mate live in our garden.  We call the pair "Heckle and Jeckle."   I know that the cartoon Heckle and Jeckle were magpies, but the names seem to suit our Mynas.  They can be quite comical.  They have a goofy gait: instead of hopping like so many birds do, they walk (and sometimes run), one foot at a time.  They perch in our trees and on the peak of our roof and behave like bossy overseers.  They screech at us when we walk through the garden and scold the other birds that come to our feeders.

Tautuku Beach on New Zealand's South Island

Tautuku Beach

Location: South Island, New Zealand

Last year, my husband and I spent a month in New Zealand, traveling all over the South Island.  One of the most scenic coastal areas we visited was a rugged section of the southeast coast known as the Catlins.  This photo, taken from a spot called the Florence Hill Lookout, shows Tautuku Beach.  The spit of land at the far end of the bay is the Tautuku peninsula, which was home to a whaling station in the 19th century.

The sky was overcast for most of the several days we spent in this area, and it drizzled off and on.  Although the rain and lack of direct sun made it a bit chilly, the cloudy sky was anything but dreary.

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Rock Rose Ice Plant (Aptenia cordifolia)

Rock Rose Ice Plant (Aptenia cordifolia)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

One of the plants we use for a ground cover on a steep hillside section of our garden is called the Rock Rose Ice Plant (Aptenia cordifolia).   It is a succulent that has plump green leaves, and dainty red flowers that attract honeybees.

Evening Freight Barge to Honolulu

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

I live just a few miles up the coast from Kawaihae, which is the primary freight port on the west side of Hawaii's Big Island.  This is one of the routine sights along the coast where I live.

Tugboats tow freight barges back and forth daily between Hawaii's main port at Honolulu and the other islands.  Most of the barges carry general cargo, but some of the barges are specialized to carry shipping containers, or livestock, or motor vehicles.

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‘Ilima (Sida fallax) - A Hawaiian Wildflower

‘Ilima (Sida fallax)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

‘Ilima (Sida fallax) is a wildflower common in coastal areas of Hawaii.   The plant has developed into several different forms.  This particular one grows as a low shrub.   Another version, called ‘Ilima papa, grows close to the ground.

It is a wildflower, but many people cultivate it in their gardens.  'Ilima papa, the version that grows close to the ground, is sometimes planted as a ground cover.  We have several 'Ilima shrubs on our property.  They were sown there by the wind, but since we like the plant with its pretty yellow-orange flowers and pale green foliage, we water the ones we find so that they will flourish where nature planted them.

The flowers of the 'Ilima are used for a very special kind of lei.  If you would like to see what an 'Ilima lei looks like, here is a link to a website that has a photo.  [Note: Link goes to a shopping site. I have no connection with that site; just linking to it because of the photo.]

I understand that the 'Ilima has some medicinal uses in the traditional Hawaiian culture.  The local honeybees like the 'Ilima flowers, too.