Category Archives: Photo Challenges

Anole looking out

A Green Anole in its brown coloration in Hawaii

I was getting quite the look from this anole. It’s a Green Anole in it’s brown coloration, though clearly not for blending in with the background!

Planters

This week’s Sunday Stills color challenge is ‘Aquamarine or icy blue.’ See more responses here. I’ve gone with the icy blue option with some planters I saw at the airport in Kailua Kona.

Natal grass

I think this is Natal grass (Melinis repens). It’s native to southern Africa and is considered something of a weed in many other places, including here. It still looked beautiful on this early morning.

Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour. See more responses here.

The Numbers Game #106

A Zygonisia Cynosure Orchid blooms at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden — A Zygonisia Cynosure Orchid.

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

The foliage of a Moon Valley plant — Moon Valley plant.

A Green Turtle says hello

A Hawaiian Green Turtle in the waters off Hawaii

On a recent swim, I’d just seen one turtle swim by, when I turned and saw this turtle approaching. It was quite small, which I like because it means they’re younger and often more curious. The other plus is that their shells are usually in great condition. This one’s certainly was, and the light was such that it positively glowed.

The turtle came quite close, then decided I wasn’t interesting after all and slid away, following the other turtle.

A look back at 2025

A humpback whale and her calf swim in the waters off Lapakahi Historical Park, Hawaii — This Humpback Whale encounter was probably the highlight of the year (here).

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Year in review.’ See more responses here. As usual, I’ve picked a photo from each of the past 12 months and included a link to the original post.

Lenticular clouds over Mauna Kea at sunrise — Sunrise over Mauna Kea (here).

A Monarch Butterfly on a leaf in Hawaii — A Monarch Butterfly on a leaf (here).

A Manta Ray swims by in the waters off Hawaii — A Manta Ray passes by (here).

View of Kilauea Eruption in May 2025 — One of the many episodes of the current eruption at Kilauea (here).

A Japanese White-eye on Octopus Tree flowers in Hawaii — A Japanese White-eye on Octopus Tree flowers (here).

The interior of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi, Hawaii — The interior of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi (here).

A male Sonoran Carpenter bee in Hawaii — A male Sonoran Carpenter Bee (here).

Art and chairs in the waiting room of Hilo Benioff Medical Center in Hawaii — A waiting room at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center (here).

A child jumps into the ocean from a rock tower at Coconut Island, Hilo, Hawaii — Jumping into the ocean at Coconut Island, Hilo (here).

Horses frolicking at Paniolo Adventures on the Big Island, Hawaii — A kerfuffle in the corral at Paniolo Adventures (here).

An indigenous I'iwi honeycreeper in Hawaii — A native I’iwi bird (here).

New year, new well

A new water tank under construction near Hawi, Hawaii

Since the collapse and closure of the old Kohala Ditch, there’s been no reliable source of water for the many agricultural enterprises in the area. This is a new well and water tank under construction near Hawi, which is intended to help mitigate that water shortage.

Posted for Bushboy’s Last on the Card. See more responses here.

The Numbers Game #105

A Painted Lady Butterfly feeds on a kiawe flower — A Painter Lady Butterfly feeding on a Kiawe 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 227. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

Two donkeys in Hawaii — Two donkeys drying out after heavy rain.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii