Tag Archives: Bananas

Pink flowers

A Leafcutter bee on a zinnia violacea flower

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘The Pink Side of Life.’ See more responses here.

The top photo shows a leaf cutter bee on what I think is a zinnia violacea flower. Next we have a ball of Egyptian starcluster (Pentas lanceolata) flowers and Pinkfringe (Arthrostemma ciliatum) flowers.

Next comes the lovely marking of a shell ginger flower and the puffy blooms of a sensitive plant.

Finally, there’s a pink banana hosting a visitor, a gold dust day gecko after a little something to drink.

A gold dust day gecko on a pink banana flower

Also posted in response to Becky’s October Squares challenge theme of ‘Past Squares – In the Pink/Flowers.’ See more responses here.

Bananas

I’d always thought that the large reddish purple mass hanging below these bananas was the flower. But I learned that these are bracts surrounding the flower, which is a male flower. Female flowers are the first to appear on the plant and these are the ones that turn into the fruit seen in this photo.

In a tropical garden

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘In The Garden.’ See more responses here.

Since I don’t have a garden currently, I’ve gone for some images from my most recent visit to Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden, north of Hilo.

For more information about Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden, go to htbg.com.

A gold dust day gecko on a torch ginger — A gecko on a torch ginger

A Dwarf Pineapple in Hawaii — A gecko on a torch ginger

Gecko on a pink banana

Gold dust day geckos are colorful little creatures and I look out for them on colorful plants such as bird of paradise flowers and pink bananas. They’re attracted to these, and other flowers, for the nectar within. This one spent a considerable time drinking from this pink banana.

Japanese white-eye on a pink banana

Japanese white-eye on Pink Banana

I was very pleased with this photo for several reasons. First is that I was lucky to notice the Japanese white-eye flitting through the foliage at all. Second is that I saw where it landed. Third is that I was able to focus in through a tangle of leaves and flowers. And fourth is that this is the only shot I got before it took off again.

Bananas in the rain

There are two big contributors to lush, tropical growth – warmth and moisture. That combination helps these banana plants thrive in South Kona.

Gold dust day gecko on a pink banana

Gold dust day geckos are not endemic to Hawaii. A native of Madagascar, Hawaii’s population stems from the release of 8 geckos by a student on the University of Hawaii campus in 1974. It’s not known if beer was involved.

While this makes the gold dust day gecko something of an invasive species, it’s hard to feel bitter about such an endearing little creature. With their striking coloration, they can be seen sticking to any surface or zipping about whether they’re right side up or upside down. They’re not bothered by close examination, usually just staring back with a goofy expression. Turn away though, and they can be gone in an instant.

This gecko was engrossed by the potential of this pink banana. Not sure if it was looking for water, nectar, or the possibility of insects within.

For more information about this and other geckos, go to geckoweb.org.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii