Hawaii Island Retreat sits on a steep cliff on the windswept North Kohala coast. There are a couple of public access trails leading down to the coast there. One passes in front of the main building and this is where this swing can be found.
I think I could be happy rocking back and forth there for an hour or two or three, and disembark a more balanced and contented individual!
For more information about Hawaii Island Retreat, go to hawaiiislandretreat.com.
A view of Pu’u O’o vent, when it was erupting, from the Napau Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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 132.
A flying clown. That’s all the world needs!A grasshopper keeping watch.Two Banana Stalk Flies doing, well, you know what.A well balanced rock on the North Kohala coast.Couldn’t resist taking this one at my local post office. I can run this several times!
I was driving home yesterday when I noticed some haze blowing out to sea. I thought it was rain at first, but quickly realized that this was smoke, likely another brush fire, and my heart sank. I was halfway home. Up ahead was Lapakahi and beyond that, Mahukona, two places I spend a lot of time at.
As I got closer I saw that the fire was burning at Lapakahi. Traffic was still passing on the highway though the land beside it was black and smoking. But strong trade winds had blown the fire, which apparently started near the park entrance, down towards the ocean.
My guess is the fire had been going less than an hour when I got there, though a considerable area had already burned. Fires were burning along the north edge of the area, not far from the road, but the most smoke and bigger flames could be seen closer to the ocean. It looked like the small visitor center had escaped, surrounded as it is by the looping access road. But other structures might not have been so lucky, and the native plants, birds and insects probably did not fare well.
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 on a Bird of Pardise flower.This stink bug landed on my shirt as I was trying to photograph it.A dive boat off the Kona Coast.Two Zebra Doves enjoy the late afternoon sun.A drop of water on a Passion Vine leaf.Sunset from the lanai.
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.
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.
This week’s Sunday Stills Color Challenge theme is ‘Pink and/or red.’ See more responses here.
I thought this was a firecracker plant, but I’m not sure now. Either way, it’s red!Kamehameha Day parade in Kapaau.I bet the guy in the photo is thinking, ‘I’d look good in that hat.’A Pinktail Triggerfish. How do they come up with these names?Fishing on the North Kohala Coast.
This week’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge is Aquamarine. See more responses here.
It’s the season for big swells from the northwest, and these photos are from the last one. A new one is supposed to fill in today. These are good news for surfers around here, not so good for us snorkelers.