Category Archives: In The Water

The Numbers Game #72

Lava fountaining in the summit caldera of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Lava fountaining during the 21st episode of the current eruption at Kilauea Volcano.

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

The top photo is from two days ago, when I finally made it down to Kilauea Volcano to see the latest in a string of eruptions. Hopefully, I will get my photos sorted for a longer post about that in the next day or two.

A bee in a cannonball tree flower in Hawaii
A bee in the flower of a Cannonball Tree.
A Phalaenopsis violacea orchid.
A Pinktail Triggerfish.
Hapu’u Ferns.
Kahili Ginger and raindrops.
An old propellor on shore near the boat lauch at South Point.

The Numbers Game #71

A beach at Kekaha Kai Park.

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

Two reef lizardfish waiting on lobe coral
Two Reef Lizardfishes .
Hibiscus “Blue Bayou.”
Beach chairs in front of the Kohanaiki Beach Club, Hawaii
Chairs in front of Kohanaiki Beach Club.
Wasps building a nest
Wasps building a nest.
Bees collect water from the edge of a pool
Bees gathering water.
A green turtle swims in Kiholo Bay, Hawaii
A Green Turtle in the waters of Kiholo Bay.

Photos for people who like pastels

Pastel Candies in Hawaii
Pastel shades of candy.

This week’s Sunday Stills color challenge theme is ‘Pastels.’ See more responses here. Captions on the photos.

Purple Crown Flowers in Hawaii
A Crown Flower.
Foliage in a pot at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii
A pleasing pot at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.
The interior of the Painted Church at Honaunau in Hawaii
A plethora of pastels inside the Painted Church at Honaunau.
A Rosy-faced lovebird in Hawaii
A Rosy-faced Lovebird getting to grips with lunch.
A piece of organic matter floating in the water off Hawaii
Organic matter floating in the ocean.
A Palenose Parrotfish in the waters off Hawaii
A Palenose Parrotfish.

Turbinaria ornata

Turbinaria ornata algae in the waters off Hawaii
Turbinaria ornata algae in the waters off Hawaii

Turbinaria ornata is an algae, native to Hawaii. It’s also known as crowded sea bells or crowned sea bells, depending on where you live. That name comes from how it bobs back and forth in the coastal surge where it’s found.

It’s something of an invasive species in other parts of the world. It can reproduce sexually or from bits breaking off and floating to other areas. It’s also good at adapting to different conditions.

This large colony was in the waters off Mauna Lani, which is not surprising. Turbinaria ornata has been found to do well near developed areas where the waters are rich in nutrients and have strong water motion.

The Numbers Game #70

The beach at Honoka’ope Bay.

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

Green Anoles lined up in a window.
Flies on a horse.
Late afternoon in a macadamia nut orchard.
A Jeweled Anemone Crab.
A juvenile Commerson’s Frogfish.
Four spotted eagle rays in the waters off the Big Island of Hawaii
Spotted Eagle Rays circling next to the parking area at Mahukona.

Just passing through

A Manta Ray swims by in the waters off Hawaii

During yesterday’s swim, this Manta Ray appeared in front of me. It passed directly beneath me, and was clearly not inclined to pause and check out the ungainly creature above it. It’s the first I’ve seen in a long while, and certainly the first this year. Manta Ray encounters are a treat, especially as this one was beautifully marked and in great condition, which is always good to see.

A Manta Ray swims by in the waters off Hawaii