Category Archives: Insects

’Ulei flowers

A bee forages on ’Ulei flowers. ’Ulei, also known as Hawaiian Hawthorn, is an indigenous shrub that grows in a variety of habitats. I saw this one hiking on the Kau Desert Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The Numbers Game #88

A green turtle swims in the waters of the Big Island of Hawaii. — A Green Turtle swimming by, taken from shore while waiting for a tour boat.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 210. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

Surf breaks at Mahukona in North Kohala. — High surf at Mahukona.

A crescent moon and palms in black and white — High surf at Mahukona.

Another Sonoran Carpenter Bee

I recently posted (here) phone photos of a female carpenter bee heading for home. Last week, I returned with my camera to see what they were up to, and I was very happy to see this male bee visiting the same home as the one in the previous post.

Male bees are a lovely orange/brown and are smaller than the females, but still pretty big. Another way they differ is that, while female bees have a stinger but rarely use them, male bees don’t have a stinger at all.

I’ve seen a few male bees before, but this is the first time I’ve been able to get photos.

Winging it

A Black Witch moth in Hawaii — The beautiful wings of a Black Witch Moth.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Wings and feathers.’ See more responses here.

A Wandering Glider Dragonfly in Hawaii — A Wandering Glider Dragonfly wandering over a mud puddle.

A Monarch Butterfly on a Balloon Plant in Hawaii — A Wandering Glider Dragonfly wandering over a mud puddle.

Two Hawaiian Noddys skim the ocean in Hawaii — Hawaiian Noddies skim over the ocean.

Three nenes flying in Hawaii — Hawaiian Noddies skim over the ocean.

The Numbers Game #85

The port at Kawaihae at sunset — Lights at the Port of Kawaihae.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 207. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

Large Orange Sulphur Butterflies mating.

One of the pools at Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

Heading home

A Sonoran Carpenter Bee heads for its nest in Hawaii

I was at Lapakahi, after a swim, and walked to the lookout there, to see what was happening in the water. As I stood there, a Sonoran Carpenter Bee rumbled towards me and flew back and forth in my vicinity. It was quickly joined by a second bee, coming from the opposite direction.

They weren’t exactly bothering me, but they were persistent, so I took a step or two backwards. This seemed to satisfy one of the bees and I saw it head to one of the wooden rails and disappear. I realized what was going on. I was too close to their homes.

I didn’t have my camera, but got my phone out, located the home of the second bee and took a couple of photos. These female carpenter bees drill tidy holes into any kind of wood to deposit food and lay eggs there.

Eventually, the second bee was satisfied I wasn’t a threat. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to capture her making, dare I say it, a beeline for home!

The Numbers Game #83

A Long-tailed blue butterfly on a tasselflower in Hawaii — A Long-tailed Blue Butterfly on a Tasselflower.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 205. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

Also posted for Becky’s Squares: Simply Red. See more responses here.

A brown anole keeps watch — Brown Anole.

The Numbers Game #82

A bee flies to an ohia lehua flower in Hawaii. — A bee approaches an Ohia Lehua flower.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 204. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.