This wandering tattler was probing cracks and holes in the rocks, searching for a snack. Periodically, a larger wave than usual would send the bird into the air where it looped around before settling back in the same general area.
Passion vine butterfly
A passion vine butterfly takes a break on a windy day in Kohala.
I joined the Navy to see the world …
The military has a significant presence in Hawaii – think Pearl Harbor on Oahu – and the Big Island sees its share of the action. Naval exercises take place offshore and the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea is home to the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area. Troops and equipment are landed at the harbor at Kawaihae and the driven the 30 odd miles to the base.
I’ve seen this ship, and ones like it, off the northern tip of the island where they make a course change and head off to Oahu.
Orangeband Surgeonfish and Yellow Tang
Various kinds of surgeonfish and wrasse often join shoals of yellow tang (which are also surgeonfish). These are orangeband surgeonfish. Up close, the orange band looks like the bold application of a thick layer of paint.
In my attempts to identify what I see in the water, I use John P. Hoover’s book The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes, Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Whales, and Seals. His website is hawaiisfishes.com.
Abstracts: Lava dance
Anole on a line
I found this green anole making its way along a washing line.
Raccoon butterflyfish
From the look of this raccoon butterflyfish, it’s probably thinking, ‘What is this creature and why is it stalking me?’
In my attempts to identify what I see in the water, I use John P. Hoover’s book The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes, Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Whales, and Seals. His website is hawaiisfishes.com.
Mock orange abuzz
A bee forages through the blooms of a mock orange.
Graham's Island 