Category Archives: Parks

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).

Winter in Hawaii

Anaehoʻomalu Bay beach in Hawaii
The beach at Anaehoʻomalu Bay.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Winter Wonderland.’ See more responses here. These photos were all taken during the winter months, which is wonderful when you think about it!

The Green sand beach near South Point in Hawaii
There’s green sand at Papakōlea beach near South Point.
Water Globes at Kailua Kona airport in Hawaii
It’s too warm year-round even for snow globes!
A picnic table on the beach at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii
For cooler temperatures, get there early. That way you can snag a picnic table.
Frosty schooners at the Harbor House restaurant in Hawaii
It can get frosty here though, at least at the Harbor House restaurant in Kailua Kona.

Turtles at peace

A Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle on the beach at Kaloko in Hawaii
Resting at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Peace.’ See more responses here. Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles come ashore to rest and get a bit of peace. Humans are supposed to stay at least 10 feet away, preferably more.

Bright and beautiful

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.