Category Archives: Animals

Ground Beetle

I used to see Ground Beetles all the time on my walks at Upolu, but this one was the first I’d seen in ages. I don’t think it’s because I’m becoming less observant. I think the numbers are down, for whatever reason.

Praying Mantis waiting

This Praying Mantis spent several days on this Agave Attenuata, waiting patiently for food. There were bees all over the flowers and I think the mantis got some of them, as well as other insects.

I presumed the mantis was a female as it seemed to be getting bigger. A couple of days after taking these photos, the mantis disappeared but I saw an egg sac on a nearby tree, so maybe there will be more on the way!

What the katydid did

I noticed this katydid on one of the window screens and took a few photos, trying to capture a ‘life-behind-bars’ feeling. Little did I know how this would pan out.

The gecko appeared from above and slowly edged towards its prey. Then it reached down and …. licked the katydid. The katydid immediately hurled itself into space and wasn’t seen again. The gecko wandered off. Apparently, life can get very weird behind bars.

Favorites from 2022

Surf crashes ashore on the North Kohala coast in Hawaii — January: High surf crashes ashore in North Kohala. (link)

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Your 2022 Year-in-Review.’ See more responses here. Like last year, I’ve gone with a favorite photo from each month of 2021, with a caption and link to the post the photo first appeared in.

A Common Waxbill feeds on cane grass seeds — February: A Common Waxbill grabs a mouthful of seeds. (link)

A Monarch butterfly on purple bougainvillea flowers — March: A Monarch Butterfly on a bougainvillea. (link)

A Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle swims by — April: A Green Turtle swims by. (link)

Three cats resting in Hawaii — May: A trio of cats hard at work! (link)

A photo of an owl in a car wing mirror — June: How to keep birds off your car. (link)

A view of Green sand beach (Papakōlea) on the Big Island, Hawaii — July: The green sand beach near South Point. (link)

A white-tailed tropicbird flying over North Kohala, Hawaii — August: A White-tailed Tropicbird glides by. (link)

A Black-crowned night heron struggles o get out of an algae covered pond — September: A Black-crowned Night Heron struggles to get out of a pond. (link)

A Spinner dolphin leaps from the waters off Hawaii — October: A Spinner Dolphin leaps from the water off North Kohala. (link)

Two manta rays in the waters off Hawaii — November: A pair of Manta Rays swims toward me. (link)

A cloud forms over the site of the eruption on Mauna Loa , Hawaii — December: Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in 40 years, capturing attention and changing the weather. (link)

Black Witch Moth

This Black Witch Moth spent the day resting under the eaves of the house. The wingspan is a good six inches and it was in perfect condition, not like some of the battered individuals I’ve seen before.

Hawk Moth Caterpillar

I found this hawk moth caterpillar crossing a walkway, and ushered it to safety. I’m not sure exactly which moth it is the caterpillar of, possibly Swinhoe’s Striated Hawk Moth (Hippotion rosetta) or Pale Striated Hawk Moth (Hippotion boerhaviae), both of which have been recorded in Hawaii and are very difficult to tell apart.

Ceresium unicolor

Ceresium unicolor is a longhorn beetle that, apparently doesn’t have a common name. An introduced species, it’s not consider to be a problem in Hawaii. I found this one walking along the railing of my lanai.

Gecko on red ginger

A photo taken for the colors and the light!

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii