The setting sun glints off the balconies of the Hilton Hotel on the South Kohala Coast.
Abstracts: Balconies on fire
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Author Archives: Graham
Snowflake Moray Eel
A Snowflake Moray Eel slides over the rocky bottom off the coast of North Kohala.
Kohala hillside
Most of the day, this Kohala hillside looks dry and washed out. However, when early morning sunlight illuminates this slope, the gullies and ridges jump out in sharp relief. I’d often noticed this effect, but it wasn’t until recently that I was able to take photos to show it.
What’s he looking at?
The clue is right there in front of him. Is that bird food? I think not, but the photos below clear things up.
I first came on this scene from the other side and saw Smudge, the cat lying down, with an intense look on her face. Another pace brought the Spotted Dove into view. I took photos, but they were into the sun and not great. So I walked around the building to get the sun behind me.
The bird was still busy pecking at the food, the cats staring intently, but doing nothing else. That inactivity wasn’t surprising. These cats are very friendly when they’re hungry and utterly indifferent once they’ve been fed. And after the cats have eaten birds move in for the leftovers. The birds remain wary, but have learned there’s not much to worry about at this time.
In the end, Smudge decided she had to do something about this brazen intrusion so she got up and wandered away to the front of the building where she plopped down in the shade, serenely out of sight of the feathered affront taking place on the lanai.
Some Hawaii wildlife
This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Wildlife.’ See more responses here. I thought I’d go with a couple of photos from the air, on land, and in the ocean.
First up, a couple of native Hawaiian birds, a palila above and a pueo below.
Next, a group of goats blocking a trail in South Kona, above, and a wild pig snaffles a mango and runs off with its prize, below.
Finally, a pod of spinner dolphins that I encountered in the wild while snorkeling. This scene was made more poignant for me by having recently seen dolphins in a small pool doing their thing for tourists at one of the resorts here. I couldn’t bring myself to take a photo of that.
Sunset splash
Sunset at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay. I have no idea what made this splash in front of the setting sun. I don’t think there was anything out there to cause breaking waves. It could have been the wake of a boat, but I didn’t see one going by. One of life’s little mysteries.
Infinity bird bath
Infinity pools are nice for people, but they make great birdbaths, too.
Ice Cream Bean Tree
The Ice Cream Bean Tree (Inga feuillei) is native to northwestern South America. It gets its name from the pulp of the seed pod, which is sweet and edible. I sampled a pod from this tree and it does have a sweet, creamy flavor.
Graham's Island 