Category Archives: Parks

Lava in all its colors

A variety of colors can be seen in this lava on the Puna Coast Trail (posted here).

This week’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge is ‘Lava.’ See more responses here. I don’t often run photos I’ve posted before, but this seemed like an opportune instance to rerun some older photos that are perfect for this theme. I’ve put captions on the photos and a link to the original posts for those interested in checking them out.

Different colors and textures of pahoehoe and a’a lava on Mauna Loa (posted here).
Red, brown and black lava from the 2018 eruption at Fissure 8 (posted here).
Just hot and red from the firehose of lava (posted here).
A lava breakout from the Kilauea lava flow.
Molten red lava breaks out from a black crust (posted here).
Different colored flows on Mauna Loa seen from the air (posted here).
A collapsed lava tube on Mauna Loa is full of colors (posted here).
Old brown lava surrounded by black lava from a more recent flow (posted here).

It came from the pond

A Black-crowned night heron struggles o get out of an algae covered pond
A Black-crowned night heron struggles o get out of an algae covered pond
A Black-crowned night heron struggles o get out of an algae covered pond

Recently, I was down at the lagoon behind the beach at Pelekane Bay in Kawaihae. I was engaged in one of my favorite activities – failing to get photos of dragonflies in flight!

When I heard a loud plop behind me, I turned to find this scene. This Black-crowned Night Heron had dropped into the algae-covered water, probably after a fish. I don’t think it caught anything, but when it popped up again it sported a rather fetching green hairdo. Even after it had shed that, it still found the process of getting out of the water was hard going, with a lot of flapping and splashing producing little result.

Eventually the bird reached dry land and resumed a watchful pose, apparently none the worse for its ordeal.

A Black-crowned night heron struggles o get out of an algae covered pond

Home for the holidays

People relaxing at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Vacation or Staycation.’ See more responses here.

I can’t remember the last time I actually went anywhere on vacation so I’m opting for staycation, which is staying home for your holidays. In Hawaii, a fine staycation doesn’t require a great deal to make it work.

A nice beach is a good start. Some shade, either from trees or a decent portable canopy. Tables and chairs are a plus, or a convenient branch to sit on. A variety of coolers suitably stocked are welcome, a barbecue even better. And of course, some warm sunny weather and calm blue waters make it a staycation to remember.

  • People relaxing at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii
  • People relaxing at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii
  • People relaxing at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii
  • People relaxing at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii