Orange is the new theme

A Passion vine butterfly spreads its wings

This month’s Sunday Stills color challenge theme is ‘Orange and Gold.’ See more responses here. First up is a very orange Passion Vine Butterfly taking a break.

Next, orange is the official color of the island of Lanai, represented here at this year’s Kamehameha Day celebrations.

A rider at the Kamehameha Day parade in Kapaau, Hawaii
A rider at the Kamehameha Day parade in Kapaau, Hawaii
Riders at the Kamehameha Day parade in Kapaau, Hawaii
Fish swim in one of the golden pools at Keawaiki, Hawaii
A spot of gold at Keawaiki.
An orange Bitter Melon fruit in Hawaii
The fruit of a bitter melon.
The orange flowers of a Wiliwili tree in Hawaii
The flowers of an endemic Wiliwili tree.

When I was putting this post together a few days ago, I thought a sunset photo would be a nice way to wrap it up. I trolled through my files before picking a suitable one out, and was on the verge of processing it, when I happened to glance out of the window and saw this developing. Another reminder to live in the present and not the past!

Sunset in North Kohala, Hawaii

After the fire

Land burned by a brush fire near Spencer Beach Park, Hawaii

A few days ago, I headed out on the trail from Spencer Beach Park to Mau’umae Beach Beach. I was curious to see how far last month’s brush fire, that burned near Mauna Kea Resort, had reached down by the ocean. A hundred yards into the walk the answer became clear. It reached the shore. Spencer Beach Park was untouched, but the woods on the edge of the park are one tree deep in places.

Land burned by a brush fire near Spencer Beach Park, Hawaii

I walked back to Spencer on the service road, a quarter mile inland. The power line ran along the ground or was draped in blackened trees. There was a clump of poles and other supplies in one spot, ready for restoring service.

Powerline down following a brush fire near Spencer Beach Park, Hawaii
Power poles and other supplies waiting to be used after a brush fire in Hawaii
A high voltage sign on lumber being used after a fire in Hawaii

The vehicle access road to Mau’umae Beach beach is closed now, as two small wooden bridges were destroyed in the fire. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, the only access to the beach will be along the coast trail from Spencer. It’s only a 15 minute walk, but that’s often enough to discourage people from going there.

A view towards Mau’umae Beach after a brush fire in Hawaii

Ember Parrotfish

An Ember Parrotfish swims with Yellow Tangs and a Christmas Wrasse in the waters off Hawaii

The Ember Parrotfish is the largest parrotfish in Hawaii, but it can often be found in surprisingly shallow water. This one was cruising through a small school of Yellow Tangs in just two or three feet of water. The multicolored fish beneath it is a Christmas Wrasse. These fish will often accompany a parrotfish hoping to snack on creatures dislodged by the larger fish.

We need some help here

A Toy truck on a beach in Hawaii

I saw this vehicle in distress on an early morning walk at Spencer Beach Park. I’m happy to report that, the next morning, I saw the vehicle again. It was parked among the bits and pieces of a family camping there. I’m not sure if it was theirs or they just found it on the beach. Either way, the vehicle was in good condition and ready to go for more beach reshaping.