Category Archives: Marine Invertebrates

The Numbers Game #103

A cloud forms over the site of the eruption on Mauna Loa , Hawaii — The 2022 eruption at Mauna Loa produced its own weather in the form of this cloud.

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 225. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A white water lily at Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden — Water Lillies at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.

Ants and ladybugs on a passion vine leaf — Water Lillies at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.

Blue lights illuminate a ceiling — Waiting room lighting!

An A’ama Crab at the aptly named Crab Cove at Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. — Waiting room lighting!

Bright and beautiful

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A Carpenter bee male at Lapakahi in Hawaii — A male Sonoran Carpenter Bee enjoys the sunshine.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful.’ See more responses here.

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

Reef fish at Two Step in Hawaii — Reef fish at Two Step.

A Bromeliad in Hawaii — Reef fish at Two Step.

A Crowned Jellyfish in the waters off Hawaii — A Crowned Jellyfish catches the light.

A Rcl Sharon king 'Volcano Queen' orchid at the Hilo Orchid Show in Hawaii — A Crowned Jellyfish catches the light.

Showdown at Viper Rock

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Giant Porcupinefishes in the waters off Hawaii

When I go snorkeling, I often go by a place known as Viper Rock. It got this name because in this rock is a small cave that was often occupied by a large Viper Moray Eel. I haven’t seen the eel in a long time, but the cave often has other occupants.

On a recent swim, a Giant Porcupinefish had claimed the spot and it rebuffed the approach of a smaller Giant Porcupinefish several times (top photo).

Next day when I got there, there were two Giant Porcupinefishes outside the entrance to the cave. Several times they swam towards the cave, then came back towards me (middle photos). It was only when I shifted my position a bit that I could see, inside the cave, the shape of a large lobster (bottom photo). It’s just to the left of the top porcupinefish, in the shadowy cave. Clearly the two fish did not relish the prospect of trying to evict the lobster!

Giant Porcupinefishes and lobster in the waters off Hawaii

Posted for Becky’s Squares: Shadows. See more responses here.

The brown and the gray

A praying mantis and it's shadow in Hawaii — A Praying Mantis casts a its shadow on a rail.

This month’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Any shade of brown and/or gray.’ See more responses here.

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

A black and white image of grid shadows in Hawaii — Grill shadows.

A Reticulated Cowrie in the waters off Hawaii — Grill shadows.

Wooden handles on a door in Kapaau, Hawaii — Door handles in Kapaau.

Brown moss or lichen growing on a tree in Hawaii — Door handles in Kapaau.

Pallid Ghost Crab

I was looking for shadow photo opportunities one late afternoon when I spotted this Pallid Ghost Crab on a small beach at Kawaihae. It fit the bill and when they’re stationary a photo is easy to take, but when they move they’re practically a blur!

Posted for Becky’s Squares: Shadows. See more responses here.

Claws and hooves

A Green Anole on a roof in Hawaii — A Green Anole on a metal roof. They can climb metal walls using their claws.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Hooves and Claws.’ See more responses here. First claws.

An A'ama crab in Hawaii — An A’ama crab uses its claws to grip the rocks.

Then hooves.

A Goat on a rock in Hawaii — A goat on a rock.

A bull and cattle egret in Hawaii — A bull with attendant Cattle Egret.

Also Posted for Becky’s Squares: Shadows. See more responses here.

The Numbers Game #96

The space tracking station near South Point.

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 218. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A fireweed control moth (*Secusio extensa*)

The Numbers Game #93

A Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron fishes — A juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron fishing.

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 215. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A cow and calf next to a road in North Kohala — Mother and child on the loose!

The lone palm at Keawaiki stands out against a cloudy sky. — Mother and child on the loose!

A hibiscus tiliaceus at the Golden Ponds of Keawaiki on The Big Island of Hawaii — Hibiscus tiliaceus flowers, which change from yellow to red during the day.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii