Kealia beach

Kealia Beach

I’d rather be at the beach, though I’m not one for stretching out on the sand and slowly broiling. I much prefer a beach like Kealia, north of Ho’okena, where the mix of sand and lava attracts tide pool dwellers and the birds that feed on them.

It was here, also, that I first saw butterflies, such as the large orange sulphur (Phoebis agarithe) below, drinking from the sand. I subsequently learned that butterflies can’t drink from open water, but get moisture from dew on plants, wet sand, earth and mud. In addition, drinking from these sources allows butterflies to obtain needed salts and minerals.

I learn something new every day. Now, if only I could remember these things.

Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, ‘I’d rather be…’

Large Orange Sulphur Butterfly on sand

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9 thoughts on “Kealia beach”

  1. Pingback: I’d rather be …. watching the sunrise – What's (in) the picture?

  2. Maggie

    just like you, I am a Thalassophile.. A lover of the Sea, the beach. I too am learning from you about butterflies. I often see them drinking this way, but didn’t understand. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Graham Post author

      And now I’ve learned what ‘Thalassophile’ means. With the butterflies, I have often watched them, but this was the first time I’d registered that behavior.

      Liked by 1 person

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