A look back at 2021

A Hawaiian monk seal resting
January: Hiwahiwa, a male Hawaiian Monk Seal born in 2020, rests at Upolu. Haven’t seen any monk seals since this encounter. (Link)

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘2021 in Your Rear-View Mirror.’ See more responses here. I’ve gone with a favorite photo from each month of 2021, with a caption and link to the post the photo first appeared in.

Wainanali’i lagoon at Kiholo, Hawaii at Kiholo, Hawaii
February: I love hiking at Kiholo Bay. There’s plenty to see and shady spots to rest awhile. (Link)
Spinner dolphins in the waters off the Big Island, Hawaii
March: Swimming with dolphins! Need I say more. (Link)
An I'iwi calls in a forest off Saddle Road, Hawaii
April: Another favorite hike, on Pu’u O’o Trail off Saddle Road, and an endemic I’iwi singing its heart out. (Link)
Close up of a coastal manta ray approaching
May: This inquisitive Manta Ray kept returning, probably wondering how something so clumsy-looking could survive in the water. (Link)
A Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly perched on a twig
June: I like seeing little creatures, such as this Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly, and I’m thrilled when the photos turn out. (Link)
Three palm trees in Hawaii
July: I like palm trees and word play so this was too tempting to pass up for Becky’s Tree Squares. (Link)
A school of mackerel scads, or Opelus being hunted by a rainbow runner off Hawaii
August: An instant in the water – a school of Mackeral Scads chased by a Rainbow Runner. They went by in a matter of seconds. (Link)
Red-masked parakeets at Kohanaiki Beach Park.
September: These Red-Masked Parakeets are not native, but they’re oh so tropical. (Link)
Early morning lights at the port of Kawaihae, Hawaii
October: When I have time, on my way to work, I stop at Kawaihae. I might see anything from a glorious sunrise, to a tiny crab on the beach, to these port lights. (Link)
The lava cone and lake at Kilauea Volcano in late 2021
November: Kilauea erupted again so I had to go look. The eruption is still going, but a little erratically these days. (Link)
A Green turtle, with a slender remora on its shell, checks out the photographer
December: A recent encounter and maybe my favorite Hawaiian Green Turtle photo. (Link)
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31 thoughts on “A look back at 2021”

    1. Graham Post author

      Those are probably my three favorites, too. A good deal of chance involved in all three. I never know what I might see in the water – maybe not much or maybe an encounter like these. And the eruption is currently paused so not much to see there right now. Tomorrow might be a different story though!

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  3. Susanne Swanson

    Marvelous pictures! I especially love the turtle and spewing lava from Kilauea! I’m really hoping we’ll make it to Hawaii this year, but we’re waiting for flying to become more normal again. Will it ever? We can hope!

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    1. Graham Post author

      Thanks, Susanne. The turtle is a favorite of mine and I don’t get tired of going to the volcano. Currently, it has settled down a bit so I’m glad I went down when I did.

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    1. Graham Post author

      Thanks, Jacquie. I had fun putting the post together. Haven’t been taking any photos lately as I’ve been busy over the holidays. Happy New Year to you, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Terri Webster Schrandt

    You put together an amazing year in pictures, Graham! I can’t even decide which one I like the best! The close-ups of the manta and turtle are incredible and a testament to your fab photography and willingness to get close to the sealife. I may be already tired of winter (whaaat?) and may be longing for a tropical paradise soon. We have a lot of activities planned and when I look out any window in my home and see the views each season, I know we made the right choice. But a trip back to the BI is sooner than later! Thanks for your weekly support of Sunday Stills, I really appreciate it and thank you for putting this gem together, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham Post author

      Thanks, Terri. I had fun going through photos and picking out my favorites. Thanks to you for hosting the challenge. I don’t know how you do it. I have enough trouble keeping up with responses on my blog. Have you been snowshoeing yet? I never tried it, but it looked like it would be an enjoyable winter activity.

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      1. Terri Webster Schrandt

        Now you know why I mostly post once a week! Now that I started adding the links as they come, I just keep the post up and ready. It all works. Yes, I’ve been out snowshoeing twice. We have a good 6″ accumulation and the snow is still a fine powder. It’s a great workout!

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  11. Pingback: Sunday Stills: 2021 In the #Rear-View Mirror, Nothing Like the Present, The Future is Ours – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

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