About

Changes to the blog on July 1, 2020
I’ve updated my theme from one that hadn’t been supported for several years before I started using it (I didn’t know this until recently), to one that allegedly fully supports the new block editor. It’s long past time for me to do this since my old theme had been getting increasingly erratic, particularly when viewed on mobile devices. I’m not sure the new theme will entirely solve this. If it doesn’t, I’ll have to try another one.

Because of this change, posts in the archive (prior to July 2020) are likely to have erratic layouts. Sometimes I link to older posts and, if I do, I’ll try and fix layout problems beforehand. I might also try to sort some of the most scrambled layouts in old posts, but I doubt I’ll update everything. Some old posts are going to have issues with text and photos not lining up amongst other things. My apologies for this, but feel free to let me know if you find something egregious.

Apart from a slightly different appearance, the main changes involve where some things are in the Menu. Archives can now be found under the Search heading, as can Categories and Tags, since these are all ways of finding things on the blog (Categories is a work in progress because it is getting major changes, I’ll update here when it’s done). Also on the Search page is a real Follow button, which I guess I never had before – oops.

Please let me know if anything looks awry. It will be helpful to know which posts are affected and which browser you’re using. You can contact me using the new contact form below or email me at grahamsisland@outlook.com.

About me
Graham’s Island is the island of Hawaii, better known as the Big Island. That’s where I live. I don’t own it; I’m no Larry Ellison. The title simply refers to this blog being my observations from the Big Island.

I’m an enthusiastic photographer, not an expert. I take photos of things that catch my eye when I’m out and about, often in less than ideal circumstances – hazy days, midday light, murky water. Mostly I shoot with a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 which I try to keep free of the dust and salt spray that’s ubiquitous around here. I’m very happy with it. It’s stood up well to some less-than-ideal treatment and conditions.

In the water I use a Canon S 90 in a Canon wpdc35 waterproof case. I used to use a Pentax WG-3, but that leaked and died. I definitely prefer the Canon.

I process photos in Photoshop Elements, mostly cropping or tweaking colors, sharpness and the like. I rarely ‘change’ a photo – taking out or adding in – but if I do, I’ll note it in the text.

I’m not is a naturalist, botanist, geologist or pretty much any other kind of -ist. I enjoy the wildlife and landscape here. I like to hike, bike and snorkel. When I see something new or something I don’t know anything about (a frequent occurrence) I try to learn about it. I’ll include links to sites I’ve found useful in this regard. But I’m no expert on these things. If you spot errors, please let me know in a comment or using the form below or by email me at grahamsisland@outlook.com.

This blog isn’t a guide to the island. For that, try The Big Island Revealed (hawaiirevealed.com).

I put up a new post daily. Currently, I rarely use photos in more than the original post. I’m more likely to refer back to that original post with a link.

Copyright
All photographs and text are copyright Graham Burdekin. All rights reserved. Reproduction or redistribution in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Please contact me if you want to use any of the photographs or text.

Page last updated August 11, 2020.

Contact
You can contact me using the form below or email me at grahamsisland@outlook.com.

24 thoughts on “About”

  1. restlessjo

    Hi Graham 🙂 🙂 I’m not a photographer and mostly use a tiny Canon Ixus. I hate lugging a camera around. I didn’t really know what to expect coming here from Becky’s as- like someone else said- I don’t follow anyone on the island 🙂 🙂 I am a nosy person though, so I would like to know if you were born on the island or moved for work/with family? And while I’m being nosy (in for a penny, in for a pound) what did you do, or are you doing, for a living? Irrespective of the answers I will continue to enjoy your take on life 🙂

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    1. Graham Post author

      I’m English by birth and moved to Washington State in the US in my 20s. I worked for a local weekly newspaper there for 17 years doing page layout and graphic design, as well as writing a weekly column and doing badly drawn cartoons. My wife and I moved to Hawaii 8+ years ago. I was working for a helicopter tour company here until the virus struck, but I’m hoping that at some point they’ll be able to reopen. I liked the work, a lot of variety and different people passing through all the time. I do love it here. Some of the Big Island is how people imagine Hawaii to be, but other parts are weird and wonderful and completely unexpected. Plus there’s an active volcano. What’s not to like?

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  9. naturebackin

    Thanks for the visit to my blog. I have enjoyed visiting your blog. The island is amazing. Btw I also use a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 and enjoy its versatility. Despite my taking care it did get dust on the processor once and it had to be professionally cleaned, which sorted the problem.

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    1. Graham Post author

      It’s a great camera. I like that I don’t have to lug a lot of equipment around. Mine gets all sorts of rough treatment, but is holding up well so far. Yours is clearly getting some great photos.

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Terri Webster Schrandt

    Looking forward to reading more! I just bought a Panasonic Lumix FZ300 at Christmas (recommended by another blogger) and am loving it! Here is the link to the WPC if you care to take a look https://secondwindleisure.com/2017/01/20/weekly-photo-challenge-gracefulness-defined/ (used to camera to capture the image of the egret). My pingbacks aren’t working for some reason so I’m not showing in the grid for the moment. Anyway, nice to meet you, Graham!

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    1. Graham Post author

      Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your camera as much as I do mine. I’ve been using it a couple of years now and it gets some rough treatment, but it’s holding up well.

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