Aphelandra sinclairiana, is a shrub commonly known as Coral Aphelandra, orange shrimp plant, or, as this one was labeled, Panama Queen. It’s native to Central America, but this one was at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, near Hilo.
For more information about Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, go to htbg.com.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, ‘I’d rather be…,’ because I’d rather be out looking at flowers.
I’d rather be at the beach, though I’m not one for stretching out on the sand and slowly broiling. I much prefer a beach like Kealia, north of Ho’okena, where the mix of sand and lava attracts tide pool dwellers and the birds that feed on them.
It was here, also, that I first saw butterflies, such as the large orange sulphur (Phoebis agarithe) below, drinking from the sand. I subsequently learned that butterflies can’t drink from open water, but get moisture from dew on plants, wet sand, earth and mud. In addition, drinking from these sources allows butterflies to obtain needed salts and minerals.
I learn something new every day. Now, if only I could remember these things.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, ‘I’d rather be…’
I’d rather be out exploring, which is how I found conclusive evidence of the existence of this previously unknown creature – half man, half bird. I bet it spends a good deal of its time going around in circles.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, ‘I’d rather be…’
Hiking on the 1871 trail, heading south from Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, I came on this scene. A herd of goats blocked the trail. They watched me from the shadows. Two of them raised themselves onto their hind legs and repeatedly butted heads.
In the deep shade of the trees they carried the look of a gang of brigands, ready to relieve hikers of their valuables or, more likely, since they’re goats, something to eat. That could be just about anything from a carrot to the hiker’s shoes.
As I got closer, the goats filtered into the trees and scrub, disappearing from view. Perhaps next time I won’t be so lucky.
For more information about the 1871 Trail, and other hikes on the Big Island, go to bigislandhikes.com.
For more information about Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, ‘I’d rather be…,’ because I’d rather be hiking.
On any given day, I’d rather be snorkeling. There’s always something interesting to see in the water here.
This fish is a bluespine unicornfish, a name which is pretty self-explanatory. The blue spines by the base of the tail are very visible as is the prominent horn. Not all unicornfish have horns.
The horn helps make the bluespine unicornfish look permanently grumpy, which is perhaps why these fish tend to lead solitary lives. They also tend to be wary around snorkelers, maintaining their distance or easing away when approached. This one, however, appeared more curious and made a couple of closer passes before disappearing.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, ‘I’d rather be…’
It’s one thing to launch a boat from a boat ramp, but how to pull it out again when there’s no dock to walk ashore on to retrieve the trailer. These photos at Kaulana boat ramp, near South Point, tell the story.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge to be a visual storyteller.
Regardless of how lush a pasture is, cows can always be seen with head hanging over or through a fence, sampling the greener grass beyond. But what goes through the fence must return, and with great care. No cows were harmed in the making of this photo.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge to be a visual storyteller.
The Royal Hawaiian Band was founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III. The band presents free concerts in the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace most Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. and at the Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand in Waikiki most Sundays at 2 p.m..
I hope the photos convey something of what an enjoyable experience the band’s concert offered.
For more information about the Royal Hawaiian Band, go to rhb-music.com.
Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge to be a visual storyteller.
Graham's Island 