I think this is a Japanese aloe with its long tubular flowers and spiky leaves, though it could be a different variety. The flower stalks are quite long and reach well beyond the leaves, which makes things a little easier for this Japanese white-eye to feed from the flowers.
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.
Two Japanese white-eyes and a yellow-billed cardinal take a dip in one of the ponds at Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, also known as Place of Refuge. The ponds are very popular with birds and it’s a good spot to sit and watch them for a while.
For more information about Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm.
A peek of a Japanese white-eye sitting on a clutch of eggs in its nest.
Squirrel’s tail (Justicia betonica) is a fairly common plant on the Big Island. It can grow into a quite large shrub with pink flowers on distinctive stalks. This one offered a handy perch for a Japanese white-eye.
I came across this bird during a hike. Hunched on the branch with feathers fluffed up, I thought it wouldn’t look out of place on a Christmas card, if snow coated the branch and leaves. Not the case here though. The temperature was in the high 70s and I was sweating accordingly.
The brilliant orange flowers of silk oak trees not only catch the eye, but are rich with nectar, making them a favorite of birds such as Japanese white-eyes. There were several flitting through this particular tree.
For more information about silk oaks, go to wildlifeofhawaii.com/flowers/1368/grevillea-robusta-silk-oak/.
A Japanese white-eye sits on a pair of eggs in a nest in a mock orange tree. The bird was introduced to Hawaii in 1929 for insect control. It’s now quite common and is considered an invasive species. It carries avian parasites which harm native birds and also spreads seeds from invasive plants.
Graham's Island 