Tag Archives: Wordpress Photo Challenge

Dead tree in the lava

Dead tree in the lava

The twisted remains of a dead tree lie, under heavy skies, on an old lava field at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

For more information about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, go to nps.gov/havo/.

Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge ‘Twisted.’

 

Green anoles mating

Green Anoles mating

I happened to glance out of a window in time to see this green anole leap onto the trunk of a mango tree and scamper upwards. They’re fast movers, so it was only a glimpse, but I did see it had something in its mouth. ‘It’s caught a meal,’ I thought. Time to grab the camera and see what’s going on.

When I got to the tree, I found this scene. That wasn’t lunch the anole had grasped in its jaws, it was his mate. He had dragged her across the grass and up the tree in a most unceremonial manner. But this bite on the neck and the rough handling is the norm for anoles.

In fact, this episode seemed less fraught than others I’ve seen. Once on the tree there was no thrashing around or falling off as I’ve seen before. The two were twisted and locked as one, and their tails arched together. A few minutes later they were done. The female wandered off looking bemused while the male remained in the same spot, lord of all he surveyed.

Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge ‘Twisted.’

 

Twisty whitemouth moray eel

Whitemouth Moray Eel in dead coral

Whitemouth Moray EelI’m always amazed and entertained by the ability of eels to disappear into a seemingly solid lump of coral or rock and then, a few moments later, emerge from some unexpected location. I mean, how do they know they’re going to find a way out? There must not be too many claustrophobic eels in the world.

This whitemouth moray eel illustrates the concept in a small patch of dead coral.

Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge ‘Twisted.’

 

Abstracts: Tiny fish

Abstracts-Tiny Fish

A photo of some colored lava rocks. But wait. Why are there tiny fish among those rocks? No, they’re not skittering about on minuscule legs, a living proof of evolutionary theory. Instead, they’re swimming in very shallow, very clear water near the edge of a freshwater-fed pool, just inland from Akahu Kaimu Bay, south of Waikoloa Resort.

On my last hike along that stretch of coast, I stopped here for a refreshing dip. The entry to the pool was over these somewhat rough lava rocks. While I was feeling my way across them, these little fish seemed greatly interested in my feet, which suggests life in the pool must be very dull indeed.

Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge ‘Liquid.’

Storm cloud over Kohala Mountains

Storm cloud over Kohala Mountains

Driving down old Saddle Road, one late afternoon, I saw this dramatic storm cloud sliding down the side of Kohala Mountain. Later, when I headed over the mountain road, I saw the cloud had settled over Kawaihae, dumping rain over the normally desert dry area.

Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge ‘Liquid.’

Tropical stream

Tropical Stream

Boulder Creek Falls on the Alakahi Stream in Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is lined with ferns and other tropical plants. It’s one of the quieter parts of the garden and a nice place to rest a while and enjoy the scenery. Mosquito repellent is advised.

Posted in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge ‘Liquid.’