Hapuna Beach before the rain.
Please, land here! –> X
Argiope aurantia (aka yellow garden spider aka black and yellow garden spider aka golden garden spider aka writing spider aka corn spider aka McKinley spider) builds radial webs with with a dense zigzag of silk, known as a stabilimentum, near the center (not necessarily in an x-shape). It’s not clear why.
The Hawaii pic
I can do it.
It shows one of those ginormous cruise ships that regularly drop anchor at Kailua Kona. Seen from the hills above, they dwarf that little town. A cruise ship can carry as much as a quarter of Kailua Kona’s population.
True Value
It’s often foggy in Volcano Village. Located roughly 3500 ft (1000 m) up on the slopes of the Kilauea, an active volcano.
True Value is a hardware store behind the house.
Opihi
These limpets are also called the “deadly delicacy”, because those who try to collect them risk being swept off the rocks by fierce Pacific waves. Opihi feed by grazing algae off the rocks in the intertidal zone. You can eat them raw or grill them in the shell and add some chili and soy sauce for taste.
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano standing 4,207 m (13,802 ft) above sea level. Most of the mountain is underwater. When measured from the sea floor, Mauna Kea is over 10,000 m (33,000 ft) tall and is the tallest mountain on Earth.
With its high elevation, dry environment, and stable airflow, Mauna Kea’s summit is one of the best sites in the world for astronomical observation. Since the creation of an access road in 1964, 13 telescopes funded by 11 countries have been constructed at the summit.
In Hawaiian mythology, the summit of Mauna Kea was seen as a place where benevolent spirits reside – as well as Poli’ahu, one of the four goddesses of snow.
Oi … back off!
Slightly disgruntled Jackson’s chameleon. He seemed very busy and didn’t like the hold-up (quite literally). Don’t know why I picture him with a British accent.
Jackson’s chameleons are native to East Africa but have been introduced to Hawaii in 1972. This one was in the process of changing its color from a leafy green to earthy browns.
Propane Gas Man
Very important person – many people in Pahoa depend on propane gas for their showers, ovens, or tumble dryers.
Haunted
This derelict building is actually located quite close to Downtown Hilo. If you know what it used to be, please let me know in the comments below.
Christmas Eve
… at Waiopae tide pools, Christmas Eve 2017. The tide pools were destroyed beginning of June 2018 by a lava flow.
Chicken!
Chicken sheltering from the rain.
Canopy
… at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Pāpa’ikou, Big Island.
Steam vents
Steam vents on the Kilauea crater rim. Ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks in this area and returns to the surface as steam.
Hello, buddy!
A Chinese Yellow Swallowtail. It was first introduced in Hawaii in 1971 from Japan or Guam.
Hawaiian Shave Ice
It is made by shaving a block of ice into very fine snow-like ice and adding flavored syrups. It originated in China and was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants.
Vog
Volcanic smog at the Kona Coast.
Jurassic Park
View from Punalu’u Beach Park inland.
