This bamboo orchid was all by itself in a sea of grasses.
For more information about Hawaiian flowers, go to wildlifeofhawaii.com/flowers/.
Author Archives: Graham
Tree heliotrope and potter wasps
On one of my coast walks I was surprised to find a tree that I visit regularly, abuzz with wasps and other insects. The tree is a Tree heliotrope (Heliotropium foertherianum) which, as the photos suggest, is hardy and salt tolerant. This was the first time I’d seen it with striking tentacles of flowers and berries, hence it’s other common name of Octopus bush.
The majority of the wasps attracted to the tree were potter wasps, specifically Eumenes bollii I think. They were focused on their task for which I was grateful, since I was shoving my camera quite close to them on occasion.
Keeltail needlefish
When snorkeling, the tendency is to look down where numerous reef fish can be seen darting through rocks and coral. Needlefish, on the other hand, are surface swimmers and, as such, can be a little unnerving. Many times I’ve looked up and found myself in the midst of a shoal of needlefish, circling around me. At such times, I try not to think of Custer’s Last Stand.
In my attempts to identify what I see in the water, I use John P. Hoover’s book The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes, Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Whales, and Seals. His website is hawaiisfishes.com.
Big surf
These photos are from the Kohala coast, which is somewhat screened from big Northwest swells by the other islands. I took them around the time of the 31st Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave surf event at Waimea Bay on Oahu. Eddie Aikau was a legendary big wave surfer and lifeguard at Waimea Bay.
It’s the 31st year for the event, but only the ninth time it’s actually been held because the waves have to be big enough for it to ‘go.’ Apparently, the surf this year was the biggest ever. I watched on my computer, which is about as close to waves of that size that I’d want to get, unless I wanted to test just how comprehensive my health insurance is.
There’s a common expression that has emerged from this event. While discussing the dangerous size of the waves before the first Eddie contest, Mark Foo, a professional surfer said, “Eddie would go.” It’s a phrase that resonated and is now applied to many things in Hawaii.
For more information about Eddie Aikau and The Eddie event, go to quiksilver.com/surf/events/eddie-aikau/.
Abstracts: Watercolor
Water in a tide pool looking like a watercolor.
Japanese white-eye nest and eggs
A Japanese white-eye sits on a pair of eggs in a nest in a mock orange tree. The bird was introduced to Hawaii in 1929 for insect control. It’s now quite common and is considered an invasive species. It carries avian parasites which harm native birds and also spreads seeds from invasive plants.
Look out behind
This green anole was busy looking at something, unaware he was being observed.
For more information about green anoles, go to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_anole.
Indonesian Wax Ginger
The flower of this ginger is actually yellow. The conspicuous red parts here are the bracts, which are modified or specialized leaves. This one was at the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden on the Hilo side of the island. Well worth a visit.
For more information about Hawaiian flowers, go to wildlifeofhawaii.com/flowers/. For more information about Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, go to htbg.com.
