197) Island life

Kilauea Crater

A few (well one) of my best and dearest, suggested I have taken to the Island Life and started slacking. Let me assure you that is not so. I have doggedly chased about in search of birds in the farthest reaches, slogged in the rain across high craters, braved blazing sun on glassy basaltic plains, stood out in Vog (yes that is real - look it up!) waiting for the poisonous sulpher fumes to clear and the stars to glimmer (why people think flash will help is beyond me...)


At the end of a long dirt road is is the Hakalau Wildlife refuge at 6500' on the slopes of Mauna Kea. I'ivi were in abundance but notable was this Hawaii Elepaio flycatcher.

 The petroglyphs at Pu'u Loa in Volcanoes Nat'l Park were quite excellent. Though how the carvers found this little knob in that huge lava plain is a mystery.














An Apapane having a bath

OK - maybe a little slacking... Sadly no Beach Boys on the radio.... crusin' with the top down.....

196) The backup-set for the Mordor film site

Haleakala Crater

Kai ready to begin the traverse of Haleakala Crater. 12 m, 3500' down and then 1000' back up. Not exactly a splendid weather day with lots of spitting clouds.

At least he had a nice NoCal hat to keep his ears from freezing...

The ridge in the clouds behind his head was our start... the euro-do-rag was his idea....










And the rains moved in. 12 miles is a long way to go wrapped in a  beach towel.A pathetic sight.

Almost enough to make me offer my spare jacket.

Almost.

195) Cloud forest - Hosmer Grove Maui

I'Iwi

This year the wind made the I'iwi twitchy. They stayed high in the canopy and would not settle. They are still so bright as to hurt the eyes. This one was in Hosmer Grove -which was closed due to high winds....

But the A'apapane were coming thick and fast. Mostly fast. Few tress booming so it was a matter of sitting and waiting.

194) Interlude with Volcanos

Red-billed Leiothrix

 I am back on Maui for HICSS. Another chance to chase great birds and views on the islands. Splendid yet sad as most natives are so endangered. This Leithrix (what a great name!) experienced a mysterious population crash in the 80's but has rebounded.

The Ae'o (Hawaiian Stilt) was easy to find at the wetlands near the airport in Kuhului. But their numbers are still low. For some reason they were a game bird (?) until 1939. Population less than 2000 as of 2007.

The Crested Cardinal is introduced but pretty spectacular.

The Amakihi are in abundance

Sunset from my weekend B&B at 3500' up Haleakala. Tomorrow down to the lowlands resort for the conference.