Hawaiʻi on Fire

Daybreak reveals the onlookers gathered at the Jaggar Museum viewing point.
Daybreak reveals onlookers gathered at the Jaggar Museum viewing point in April 2016 (Original post here).

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Iconic Places and Spaces.’ See more responses here.

I wasn’t sure what to post for this, but Kilauea is about as iconic as anything on the island, so I thought I’d post some photos from volcanic activity that I’ve seen since I moved here. Captions on the photos with a link to the original post.

Kilauea lava pours into ocean as people watch from the cliff
Lava from the Pu’u O’o vent reaches the ocean in July 2016 (Original Post here).
A lava breakout from the Kilauea lava flow.
A hike to the July 2016 flow revealed surreal scenes like this one (Original post here).
Lava from Kilauea Volcano’s Pu’u O’o vent enters the ocean as if from a firehose.
This fire hose of lava was a short-lived feature of the 2016 flow (original post here).
In April 2018, lava in Halema’uma’u Crater spilled onto the crater floor. (Original post here).

One of our barriers is missing

High surf at Mahukona Hawaii

A series of high swells recently, played havoc with the place where I go swimming. Concrete barriers were not only moved around, but one went missing altogether! The decaying parking area was roughed up, with more potholes and cracks appearing. As a result the gate to the parking area was kept closed for several days while ideas were mulled about what to do.

High surf at Mahukona Hawaii
Barriers on the move and water shooting up through the asphalt lot.
A concrete barrier in the water at Mahukona Hawaii
The missing barrier under the water.

One day, several new concrete barriers appeared, though the missing barrier had been located – near the entry ladder, but underwater. Word leaked out that repairs were to be made. The sunken barrier would be recovered and the holes in the lot filled.

They were true to their word. Next day a crew arrived and the promised work was completed in a day. The barrier was back in place, its smaller replacements removed. The gates were opened and cars flooded in. It looked like a brand new place, relatively speaking.

Yesterday, I went down there to see how the latest big swell looked. The parking lot gate was closed again as expected. The swell was still building, but washed across the lower reaches of the lot. And the recently replaced concrete barrier was on the move again, heading across the parking lot, en route to the channel by the entry ladder!

The swimming entry at Mahukona Hawaii
Calm conditions, but a rather battered looking lot.
The parking area at Mahukona Hawaii
Barriers back in place and potholes filled!
High surf at Mahukona Hawaii
Barrier on the move again!

The Numbers Game #8

A cattle egret stands on a sleeping cow in Hawaii
A Cattle Egret stands on a resting cow. No, it’s not dead!

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 129. You can see more responses here.

A Mourning Gecko on a Bird of Pardise flower.
A gold dust day gecko licks moisture off a bird of paradise flower in Hawaii
A Gold Dust Day Gecko on a Bird of Pardise flower.
A black stink bug next to a black strap on a red shirt.
This stink bug landed on my shirt as I was trying to photograph it.
A dive boat anchored off the Kona Coast in Hawaii
A dive boat off the Kona Coast.
A pair of zebra doves resting on a branch
Two Zebra Doves enjoy the late afternoon sun.
A drop of water on a passion vine leaf in Hawaii
A drop of water on a Passion Vine leaf.
Sunset over Kohala
Sunset from the lanai.

Valentine sign

Sign at a church school in Hawi, Hawaii.

I saw this sign at a local church school. I understand what they’re getting at, but I confess I found this a bit creepy. I mean, I can’t think of anyone I’ve ever wanted to send a Valentine’s card to that I’ve also wanted to use a nail gun on.

Pueo on the wing

A pueo flies over pasture land in Hawaii
A pueo flies over pasture land in Hawaii

I was driving home from Waimea when I noticed a movement off to my left. I thought it looked like a Pueo, the Hawaiian Short-eared Owl, endemic to the islands. Sure enough, it proved to be one, gliding over the pastureland, looking for an evening meal. I watched it for some time, going back and forth over the pasture looking for movement and a meal below.

Unlike most owls, Pueos are active during the day, and so are easier to spot. The bottom photo is an older photo that’s run before (here), but gives a clearer view of the bird and what it eats!

Posted for Bird of the Week LI. See more responses here.

A pueo flies over pasture land in Hawaii

The anole and the ant

A green anole on a ti plant in Hawaii

I was photographing this green anole on a ti leaf when an ant appeared on the scene. The anole gave it the ‘Is that a snack?’ look, but decided that maybe that wasn’t a good idea. Some ants are not good eating.

A green anole on a ti plant in Hawaii

The anole resumed keeping an eye on me, while the ant meandered around getting closer. At one point, the ant bumped into the anole’s foot and the anole flinched and yanked its foot away, as a person might do.

A green anole on a ti plant in Hawaii

Following that incident, the anole began a half-hearted sequence of displaying its dewlap to show that this was his territory, but it seemed more aimed at wishing I would go away rather than doing anything about it!