There are few more disturbing sights than a portable toilet lying on its side. This one was at Upolu Airport, a victim of the strong winds which often blow there. I’d always thought the toilet was fastened to the fence behind it, but apparently not.
Luckily, I didn’t see any suspicious looking puddles, nor smell any untoward aromas, so the unit might have been empty.
Juvenile goatfish gather in quite large shoals close to shore. Sometimes they rest on the bottom, sometimes hang in the water. I like the formations they make as they hover above the sandy bottom, studded with coral and rocks.
This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Peace.’ See more offerings here.
I’ve always found looking down on clouds gives me a peaceful feeling. Those fluffy balls of cotton wool look like they would make a comfy resting place. The irony is that those clouds may actually conceal roiling, turbulent air currents that are anything but peaceful, but let’s not allow reality to spoil the image.
This cloud layer blanketed the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The two peaks poking above the clouds are, in the foreground, Pu’u Ahumoa, and in the background, Hualalai.
This praying mantis landed on a vehicle window and instantly became reflective. Perhaps it was feeling introspective. Perhaps it has multiple personalities. Perhaps it’s just trying to get away from me.
I watched a trio of bullethead blennies zipping back and forth, apparently in some sort of territorial dispute. This one appeared to be the winner and when it rested, momentarily, on its laurels, I snapped this photo.
This is the entrance to Lokahi Garden Sanctuary. It’s on a narrow road with trees on both sides so there’s only a short time when the sun hits these plants. I’ve driven by many times when it was dark or in the shade. Other times, when the sun was right, I didn’t have my camera. But I really wanted to get a photo of the plantings with the sun on them.
On this day I had my camera, stopped the car, and took a couple of photos. I’m glad I did because shortly after this, a tall, purple banner was placed in the center of the plants. Depending on one’s point of view, this banner is either lovely or a garish eyesore. It certainly removed my desire to take any more photos.
The sanctuary itself is a great spot. For more information about Lokahi Garden Sanctuary, go to https://lokahigardensanctuary.com/.
Monkeypod trees are renowned for their spread, creating large shady areas below. They also provide habitat for many birds including this saffron finch, enjoying a rest in the relative cool of the lower branches.
A small group of boldly-marked orangespine unicornfish putter in the shallows.
Graham's Island 