I’ve been pruning a huge mock orange tree behind the house, a little concerned about how this would impact the birds that use it for food and shelter. However, this pair of zebra doves appeared to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine at a spot opened up by the pruning.
Category Archives: Birds
Yellow-fronted canary
A yellow-fronted canary surveys the scene at the Palila Forest Discovery Trail on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea.
A pigeon, but rock or racing?
I thought this was one of the local rock pigeons hanging out near the cliff edge, but when I got home and looked at the photo, I noticed the bands on its legs. A bit of research on birdwatchingdaily.com revealed that banded pigeons are the same rock pigeon species, but are usually lost racing pigeons.
Turns out there are three racing pigeon clubs on the island as well as several more on the other islands. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a photo with enough information on the band to tell where it might have come from. I saw the same bird a couple more times without getting a better view, and then it was gone.
I don’t know if it suddenly remembered its way home or simply ingratiated its way into the local rock pigeon flock.
Pueo
I was driving home on the old Saddle Road late one afternoon when I saw that the light offered some photo opportunities. The area is one of rolling hills, pastures, and pu’us, which are old cinder cones. As I got my camera out I saw a pair of pueos, Hawaiian short-eared owls, flying toward me at a good clip. I tried and failed to get organized, almost strangling myself on the camera strap.
Luckily, one of the pueos settled in a field, not far from the road. I edged over to the fence and snapped a couple of photos. Then I eased down the fence line, trying not to fall in the hollow mounds of grass that bordered the fence. The pueo kept an eye on me while also scanning the surrounding area, it’s head swiveling around in that disconcerting way that owls have. Eventually, it decided I was too close, or too annoying, and flew off further into the field.
I’ve seen pueos several times in this area; the open pastures are a favorite habitat. Pueos, which are endemic to Hawaii, are active during the day. They usually hunt in the early morning or late afternoon, but they might be seen at any time during the day. Regardless of when I see one, a pueo sighting always leaves me feeling good about my day.
Wandering tattler
This wandering tattler was probing cracks and holes in the rocks, searching for a snack. Periodically, a larger wave than usual would send the bird into the air where it looped around before settling back in the same general area.
Zebra dove
Zebra doves are common on the Big Island. Their call is a staple of the soundtrack of getting up in the morning. Speaking of which, I also like how they always look like they’ve just drunk three cups of coffee.
Great frigatebirds meet Tropical Storm Darby
Tropical Storm Darby reached the Big Island yesterday. It was due to pass over this corner of the island during the night. The predicted track followed the north coast and since it was packing 60 knot winds on its approach, storm warnings were issued.
The power went out here Friday, getting the jump on the storm, but luckily it was just for an hour or so. Saturday dawned dark and windy with sudden, intense downpours, but in the early afternoon the weather broke for a short while and I went down to the coast to see how things looked. In truth, while it was very windy, it didn’t look that much worse than it often does around here.
On the way back from a short walk, some movement caught my eye. A large bird angling along the coast. Then another. In all, three great frigatebirds headed east, into the teeth of the storm. They made slow progress, sliding toward the coast, then away. Even though it was slow going, their progress looked effortless. They glided on the air currents, beating their wings only occasionally. The nice thing about their slow progress was that they remained in view for some time.
Returning home, the power was out again, but as the afternoon progressed the winds died to nothing (the storm had tracked farther south than anticipated). The early evening was tranquil enough that when I stepped outside, mosquitoes quickly buzzed around me. Mosquitoes do not do tropical storms.
Around 8:30 in the evening a decision needed to be made. Power had been out for seven hours or so and the contents of the refrigerator weren’t likely to last the night. It was time to pack the essentials into a cooler while trying not to lose whatever cold air survived in the fridge.
A smooth, military-style operation was worked out. Doors opened, items whisked from shelf to cooler, ice blocks rearranged. The operation was a success. I snapped the lid down on the cooler and the exact instant I did so, the microwave beeped and the power returned.
A flock of finches
I watched this flock of finches take off, settle, take off again, settle again. Saffron finches predominated, but there were several house finches, and I think I also glimpsed a couple of other types.
