Hanging Lobster Claw

Took this photo of a Heliconia Rostrata - common name Hanging Lobster Claw - at Waimea Valley Audubon Center.  They have all sorts of interesting foliage there  (although I can see the lobster claws growing in several of my neighbors' yards too).  The audubon center is a nice place to walk around if you enjoy nature, just don't forget the bug spray like I did!

View From My Paddleboard - Number Two

I think I might make Mondays a "View From My Paddleboard" day, since I usually try to take it out over the weekend. Unfortunately, I can only have my little waterproof point-and-shoot camera with me on the board, and it doesn't take the greatest pics. At least it gives you views from the water, though, for a different perspective. This one was taken at Waikiki Beach on an overcast day.

Red. Velvet. Pancakes. Mmmm...

I went to breakfast at Cinnamon's in Kailua today, and had the red velvet pancakes that they are so well known for (and ironically, they aren't even on the menu).  They started as a limited-time special but became so wildly popular that they're still serving them all these months later.  I LOVE them - they are the only thing I ever order, and the sauce is heavenly.  Other good eats which are on the menu include guava chiffon pancakes, portuguese sausage, and a Hawaiian omelette filled with kalua pork.

Sunset Mist

A North Shore winter sunset.  It's Skywatch Friday, so click HERE to see other sky images from around the world.

Na Kama Kai

Na Kama Kai is an organization that conducts monthly ocean clinics around the island which are "designed to instill an awareness of the ocean and provide the keiki [kids] with safety tools necessary for ocean activities. Through the expertise of professional water men and women the keiki are given one-on-one ocean instruction in a hands on environment."  Na Kama Kai means "Children of the Sea" in Hawaiian.  Among the activities that the kids participate in are paddle boarding, canoeing, and marine life classes.  Here, one of the double canoes launches, full of smiling faces. 

F: From Here to Eternity

This is Halona Cove, the famed beach that was the filming location for the love scene between actors Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in  the 1953 movie "From Here to Eternity".  I love the contrasting blues of the water inside the cove, outside the cove, and in the sky.  Because it's a little hard to get to - you have to climb down a steep, rocky embankment - many people bypass it.  That means you have a good chance of having it all to yourself, especially during the week!  It's ABC Wednesday, so click HERE to see more 'F' photos.

Waikiki Again, Because I Love It

This is a great vantage point for watching the sunset - near the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.  I like it because from here you can look back and see Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.  Passed by these canoes on an overcast evening as I made my way to the perfect spot down by the water. 

Looks ARE Deceiving

At first glance, this young man, covered with large Samoan tattoos, looked a bit intimidating.  However, I was captivated by the big, warm smile he gave each child who approached him.  He was at a booth downtown that was doing temporary henna tattoos, and most of those in line were kids who wanted a sea turtle or plumeria flower stamped on their arm.

Running to Catch Her Wave

Another Bellows Beach shot (if you follow my blog, you may have noticed by now that I love it here!).

Pile of Boards

Saw these stacked up at Waikiki last weekend.  If you look closely you can see a surfer's reflection in the yellow board.

Twilight Clearing

We've had a lot of rain lately, but on this evening the clouds parted over Kaneohe Bay just in time to reveal a magnificent sunset over the mountains.  It's Skywatch Friday, and you can see other sky images from around the world by clicking HERE.

Hibiscus Girl

There are a few bronze statues around Kapiolani Park, and they are almost always holding flowers or draped with leis.  I am curious about who does this - it is park staff or just residents and passers-by?  This young girl is usually holding a red or yellow hibiscus.

E: Egret Eating a Lizard

[Image]I actually didn't realize that I captured this egret at the moment it grabbed up a lizard until I got home and saw the photo on my computer.  The lizards are everywhere, and somewhat of a nuisance (although they do eat the bugs), so it's good to have the birds around to take care of at least a few of them!  It's ABC Wednesday, so to see other 'E' photos click HERE.

Looking for a Good Surf Spot

This guy stopped his bike at Publics Beach in Waikiki to watch the waves for a few moments, as if he was trying to decide whether this was the spot he wanted to use his board.  Must not have been, because he rode on towards Queen's Beach.

Me Ke Aloha

Saw this shirt at one of my favorite stores downtown (Honolua Surf Co.) and thought it was fitting for a Valentine's Day photo.  Enjoy the day with the ones you love!

Little Ukus

Saw this little guy walking with his owners near Queen's Beach in Waikiki today and just had to ask for a photo of him! He sat politely while I snapped this one. His name is Ukus and he strolled along wearing his flower lei like he owned the sidewalk :)
p.s. If Ukus owners see this, leave me your email address and I'll send you a couple of other photos!

Pineapple Blossom

This pineapple plant is actually in a large pot in my front yard (I don't know which variety it is).  I am so happy that after months of waiting, it is finally making a pineapple! 

Lanikai Sunrise

Earlier this week I got to watch the sunrise at Lanikai Beach with girlfriends while our kids played in the surf.  We should start more days that way!  It's Skywatch Friday, so click HERE to see other sky images from around the world.

View From My Paddleboard

Kaneohe Bay is one of my favorite places to use my stand-up paddleboard because the water is so calm and clear, and the view of the Ko'olaus is great.

D: Diamond Head

Diamond Head crater looms large at the southeast end of Waikiki.  In this photo, the camera is focused on the flower girl basket, but I like the green and blue hues, and the view of the crater in the distance.  For more photos beginning with 'D' visit ABC Wednesday.

Black Necked Stilt

These birds are endemic to Hawaii - I mostly see them at Nu'upia pond when I am driving on Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base (which is where this one was).  The base is a protected habitat for thousands of birds - for a little more info about the species that nest there, click HERE.

HFD

Honolulu fireman in front of his yellow truck - all the fire equipment in Honolulu County is yellow, including the rescue surfboards that hang on the sides of the engines!

Papailoa

This was taken at Papailoa Beach on the North Shore.  It was one of the main filming locations of the TV series "LOST".   In the summer the sand is wide, the water is calm, and you can almost always find green sea turtles eating and basking in the sun.  In the winter though, tons of sand along North Shore beaches are removed by high surf and many rocks are exposed.  Papailoa becomes turbulent, even dangerous.  Waves smash into the exposed rocks and green algae, creating little waterfalls and tidepools everywhere.  In the summer, the sand will be re-deposited, creating a nice wide sandy beach again. 

Sunny and T.

A young rider admiring her ribbons after a hard day's work at a Hawaii Horse Show Association event.

Stand-Up Paddles

Great weather brought lots of stand up paddle-boarders out to Ewa Beach.  This park has nice views - notice the Honolulu skyline and Diamond Head in the distance.  It's Skywatch Friday, so click HERE to see other sky images from around the world.

Smooth Landing

A paraglider comes in for a landing at Kahana Bay Beach Park, with a cloudless blue sky as his backdrop.

C: Crater Full of Fish

The most popular snorkeling spot on Oahu is Hanauma Bay. The bay formed many thousands of years ago when the crater of an ancient volcano flooded and part of its the exterior wall collapsed, allowing the sea water to rush in. It is a very protected reef so it's easy even for beginner snorkelers, and it's teeming with many varieties of fish. For more photos beginning with 'C' visit ABC Wednesday.

Bamboo Grove

The afternoon light coming through this bamboo grove at Waimea Valley Audubon Center illuminated the trees so nicely.