The Blue Mud Dauber Wasp (Chalybion californicum) is native to North America, but an introduced species here in Hawaii. Its main claim to fame is that it’s renowned as a predator of Black Widow spiders!
Blue Mud Dauber Wasp
Common Waxbill feeding
I’m not sure what these plants are, but they were certainly popular with a flock of Common Waxbills, including this one.
The Numbers Game #89
The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 211. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.
Frothy Monk Seal
This is BOO, a female Hawaiian Monk Seal, who I haven’t seen is quite some time. She had been resting in a pool at Upolu, but the tide was coming in. Eventually, she lumped her way out into the water, pausing in the frothy water by the rocks, before heading out to deeper water for a night of hunting no doubt.
Coconut Island
Coconut Island, or Mokuola, is a small island in Hilo Bay. It’s connected to Hilo by the footbridge seen on the right in this photo. I took this photo when I was in Hilo recently and realized that I’ve never been across the footbridge. I didn’t have time that day, but it’s definitely on my list to do next time I’m in town.
Habenaria Medusa orchid
Another flower from the Hilo Orchid Show. These flowers were tiny and so delicate, I would never have thought they were an orchid without the handy label.
’Ulei flowers
A bee forages on ’Ulei flowers. ’Ulei, also known as Hawaiian Hawthorn, is an indigenous shrub that grows in a variety of habitats. I saw this one hiking on the Kau Desert Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Yellow Tangs feeding
Yellow Tangs feed on algae growing on a submerged block.
Graham's Island 