Hawaii part 3

In between snorkeling beaches, we checked out some other places. Such as Kekaha Kai State Park. LOADS of humpbacks breaching!!!
We watched the surfers

and the sunset

My favorite place was Kealakekua Bay. We kayaked across the Bay over to Captain Cook's monument. THE most amazing snorkeling by the monument.
The plaque designates the spot where Captain Cook was killed.

Mongoose! can you see the little devil there, hissing at us?

Captain Cook monument

kayaking back across the Bay

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau: Place of Refuge
A national historic park.
Once was a sanctuary for those who had violated Hawaiian religious taboos.

Went back up the Saddle Road to do some birding.
The Big Island 'Amakihi.

For you birders, Dave saw an 'I'iwi, too (no photos)

Our last night we took a walk on Honokohau Beach and did some birding at the 'Aimakapa Fishpond. Actually, Dave did some birding. I checked out the birds for bit but mostly stared out into the ocean.

night heron - this one was so focused on looking for fish

jackpot! ducks!

last sunset

We had a great time, didn't want to leave. We came back to below freezing temps which made it incredibly difficult to adjust back to life at home. But the sun is strong now and the days are longer. Since we've been back it's warmed up quite a bit: 30 - 40's during the day, makes for incredible spring skiing. So I'm trying not to whine too much about the weather but I am antsy for Fairbanks to thaw so I can start riding my bike and trail running again! Patience....

Hawaii part 2

Our first swimming hole - Champagne PondSunset over the town of Kalapana before walking down to view the lava
couldn't see the lava too well but what we did see was amazing

walking back to the parking area over the lava, which was still HOT!

we waited for the tsunami at elevation at an overlook in Volcanoes National Park.
for 2 hours. nothing happened. I finally convinced Dave that it was safe to leave the area.

after leaving Volcanoes, we drove toward Hilo and took the Saddle Road over to the Kona side.
Dave snorkeled almost everyday, I snorkeled every other day.

We 4-wheeled it to the Green Sand Beach east of the South Point.
Dave investigating the best way to get down to the beach.

then headed over to check out the Black Sand Beach, several turtles there

one more installment coming...

Hawaii part 1

As soon as we decided we were moving back to Fairbanks, we also decided that an annual trip to Hawaii (or somewhere warm) in the winter was going to be necessary to keep us sane. We spent 10 days on the Big Island - 4 days in Volcanoes National Park and 7 days on the Kona side.

view of Kilauea Iki Crater, we went down there and walked across the crater

Drove down the Chain of Craters Road where we saw the Holei Sea Arch

The road is closed by lava flow

The lava formations and colors are incredible

View of Halema'uma'u Crater

Went for a walk at the Kipukapuaulu (bird park) trail. All we saw were Kalij pheasants.
This one was banded and came right up to me looking for food.

not a sign that you would see at home in AK

I'm still sorting and organizing our photos so there will be more installments soon!

Dillon Beach, CA

After the Pacific Seabird Group meeting in Long Beach, I met up with Dave and his family and we spent some time at Dillon Beach. There was fantastic tide pooling in the cove below the house that we rented.
there were anemones everywhere!

and sea stars! all feeding on mussels

the house we stayed in is one on the far right

mussel bed

this rock was COVERED in anemones

I love the zonation in the intertidal - mussels up high, algae down low

beach combing

haven't seen lady bugs in years

willets

Great to see everyone!