Author Archives: Graham

Unknown's avatar

About Graham

I take photos when I'm out and about, recording life on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Spinner Dolphins stop by

Spinner Dolphins in the waters off Hawaii
Spinner Dolphins in the waters off Hawaii

A couple of mornings ago, I was about to get in the water when I noticed something out in the bay. After a few moments, I realized they were dolphins, and they didn’t appear to be in a hurry to get anywhere. Often, dolphins zip up or down the coast and, even if I’m out there when they go by, it’s a fleeting encounter.

But when they move slowly, as they were on this day, there’s a fair chance they might hang around. So I jumped in and swam out in the general direction of where they were heading, hoping to cross paths. Each time I popped up to try and locate them, they were still there. Soon I saw the first one and then they were all around me.

After several minutes they headed back the way they came, but still in no great hurry. I followed at my own pace. There’s no way I could keep up with them and I knew my main chance of seeing them again was if they turned back my way. This they duly did.

The dolphins remained in the bay for half an hour or more, going back and forth. A few leapt out of the water as spinners do, but under water they twisted and turned and just seemed to be having a good time. It was nice to see several youngsters among them. Eventually, they took off in the direction they’d been going when I first saw them and I swam back to shore.

Spinner Dolphins in the waters off Hawaii

These are some of the photos I took during the encounter. I had one photo with 45 or so dolphins in it and I know I didn’t capture all of them. I think there were probably 50 or 60 dolphins in the pod, possibly more. It’s only the fourth time I’ve encountered a pod that size and it’s a wonderful experience that will never got old.

Spinner Dolphins in the waters off Hawaii
Spinner Dolphins in the waters off Hawaii
Spinner Dolphins in the waters off Hawaii

Buddha statue

A Buddha statue on the Kohala Coast in Hawaii

On the South Kohala coast, in front of the Hilton resort, there are several statues, including this Buddha statue. There are a couple of benches facing the statue for those who want to spend some time in quiet contemplation, but one could easily sit the other way, facing out to sea, and feel equally blessed.

Do not disturb

Two cows in a field in Hawaii

When I first saw these two cows it was from the rear, looking into the sun (bottom photo). I thought it would make a nice photo if I could sneak past without disturbing them and get a photo from the front.

So I ambled along, trying not to provoke their interest and made it to a point where I had the sun at my back and a decent view of them. The only problem was, to get a clear shot I had to scramble up a bank and arrive at a spot where my view wasn’t blocked by another cow.

I gave it a good go, but just as I set up to take a photo, the one cow stirred. Still, I quite like the photo for the expressions. I had it tagged as two cows, but looking at the one on the right I’m not sure that’s the case and I certainly wasn’t about to scramble over the fence to see if I was right.

Two cows in a field in Hawaii

Signs: Banana Leaf Coffee & Tea

A sign for the Banana Leaf Coffee & Tea shop in Hawi, Hawaii

Back in the early Covid days, work began on converting a space in downtown Hawi for Banana Leaf Coffee & Tea. I was interested in the project from the start. For one thing, it seemed not the best timing given that the number of visitors to Hawaii was hovering around zero with little prospect for change. Also, the location for this enterprise is across the street from Kohala Coffee Mill, a very popular stop for visitors and locals alike.

The project chugged along and seemed to be close to completion when this sign went up. But in the months since then, not much has happened. The building appears ready to go but the business hasn’t opened. I suspect it never will and one day I’ll be driving by and notice the sign has gone.

That’s a pity. I quite like the sign, in part because when I first saw it, my immediate reaction was, “Mmmm, jelly beans.”

A refreshing G&T

A glass of gin and tonic
A glass of gin and tonic

This was going to be my response to this week’s Sunday Stills challenge on the theme of ‘Refreshing,’ but then the theme changed!

Still, I like the photos which came about after a Kona wind, from the southwest, set in this past week and it got hot and muggy. After a few days of that I thought a gin and tonic sounded like a good idea.

There was a time when I made G&Ts in tall glasses, but not any more. The problem is that the drink is so refreshing and easy to drink that it disappears fast. Refills go the same way. These days I’m a one-and-done man. Ice, gin, tonic, and a slice of lime are all that’s needed. Well, that and some moderation.