Tag Archives: Hapuna

The Numbers Game #35

A gold dust day gecko drinks from a bird of paradise flower.
A Gold Dust Day Gecko drinks from a Bird of Paradise flower.

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 156. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A Papaya tree.
A Praying Mantis reflecting on a van.
Dark and light in a macadamia nut orchard.
A sailboat passing Kohanaiki Beach Park.
A windsurfer off Kawaihae.
Sunset and palm trees at Hapuna.

Park yourself here

The coast at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Park in Hawaii
Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park, on the southern coast of the island, not only has a black sand beach, but also turtles like the one in the photo. OK, it looks like a rock, but it’s there!

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘State and local parks.’ See more responses here.

Sifting through a ton of park photos, it was the island’s beach parks that came out on top. It’s possible to get in the water at all of these, though some require more caution than others.

The beach at Hapuna Beach State Park in Hawaii
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area offers a long and wide sandy beach.
The coast at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park in Hawaii
Kaloko-Honokohau Historical Park has long stretches of sand, often used by resting turtles.
The beach at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii
Spencer Beach Park at Kawaihae, is a tranquil place popular with families because the water is generally calm.
A view of View of Whittington Beach Park in Hawaii
Not all beach parks have beaches. Whittington Beach Park on the south end of the island is one of those though it’s still possible to get in the water.
The coast at Lapakahi State Historical Park in Hawaii
Lapakahi HIstorical Park has a rocky shoreline, though ocean entry is possible with care.
The coast at Keokea Beach Park in Hawaii
This photo shows the reason Keokea Beach Park has a breakwater. Inside it is a little beach and calm water that kids enjoy year round.

Royal Palms

Royal Palms at Hapuna Resort, Hawaii
Royal Palms at Hapuna Resort, Hawaii

Royal Palms (Roystonea regia) are impressive trees. They grow up to 70 feet high, and are always upright. Their gray trunks are topped by a crown of leaves and, unlike Coconut Palms, they’re not going to drop bombs on your head while taking the top photo.

Franklin’s Gulls

Two Franklins Gulls fly in Hawaii
A Franklins Gull flies in Hawaii

I’ve posted before about how gulls are a rarity in Hawaii. I’ve only seen a couple in my time here. But recently, two birds, which I believe are Franklin’s Gulls, have been hanging around the small reservoir near the place where I work.

Usually, the gulls seen in Hawaii are individual stragglers, so to see two together is unusual. The other interesting thing is that the markings of these two appear to be the gulls’ breeding plumage. I wondered if they were nesting up there, but when I went to look, saw no sign of them.

Sprinklers

Sprinklers spread water over a garden in Hawaii

I see these sprinklers going on my way home from work, but only if it’s been a long day, as they’re on a timer. Usually I think, I must take a photos of those, but don’t because it’s late, I’m tired, and I just want to get home.

Last week, the same scenario arose and I was driving by, when I thought, ‘I’ll feel better taking the photos than I will rushing home.’ So I stopped, took photos, and did feel better. At least, until I drove past a police car and, looking in my rear view mirror, saw blue light flashing and heard the siren going. Luckily, he was after the car in front of me!

Sprinklers spread water over a garden in Hawaii