Black Triggerfish

A view from the air of La Pelouse Bay in Maui Hawaii

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

I’m going with the Black Triggerfish for this one. This fish is very black except for distinctive light blue lines at the base of the dorsal and anal fins. Even the eyes are black and very difficult to distinguish in the water or in photos.

The exception to this is when the fish is aroused. Then, blue lines radiate from around the eyes. The more agitated the fish is, the more color is displayed until the fish is entirely blue, yellow and green, except for the fins and tail outline.

These fish often gather in large numbers high in the water, feeding on plankton and drifting algae. But they also feed lower in the water, especially when sergeant fish eggs are on the menu.

Black Triggerfish in the waters off Hawaii

Grumpy Red-billed Leiothrix

I saw this Red-billed Leiothrix in a tangle of branches. It looked grumpy in the top photo, more so when it realized I was watching.

Sunrise from Pelekane Beach

Sunrise over Mauna Loa and Hualalai in Hawaii

On my way to work recently, this sunrise promised much, then faded, then regrouped with this vibrant display. Mauna Loa and Hualalai provide the backdrop.

Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly

I spotted this dragonfly perched on a dead twig, and it was nice enough to stick around long enough for a photo or two.

City of Bismark

I saw this ship moored in Kawaihae Harbor recently. It looked unlike anything I’d seen there before, so I stopped by to take a look. I found the ship’s name on the stern, between the twin hulls.

According to Wikipedia, the City of Bismark is a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, operated by the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. It was built in 2017 and entered service at the end of that year. Ironically, when I first saw the ship, I thought it looked a bit beaten up and wondered if it was an older ship that someone had bought and was planning on fixing up!

All about the light

Late afternoon sun illuminates an hibiscus flower.

Offering at Keokea

An offering at Keokae Beach Park IN Hawaii

On my recent visit to Keokea Beach Park, I saw this on the rocky shore. It’s hard to know who placed it there. It could have been a local, but it could also have been a tourist. Tourists have taken to making such offerings, thinking they’re honoring Hawaiian culture. But they’re blissfully unaware that, in Hawaiian culture, the when, where, why, how, and by whom of these things can be very specific. Any deviation from correct practices can turn a good intention into an insult.

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, except perhaps in politics, where it appears to be a prerequisite these days!

Abstracts: Textures

A section of burned wood — Burned bark on a tree

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Textures.’ See more responses here. There are captions on the photos, but see if you can figure out what they are first!