This is another in a series of distraction diaries. It is meant only to provide a brief respite from birthers and other idiocy in the world, and to provide a reminder that we share this planet with some amazing creatures. In this case some very rare and endangered creatures. Last weekend I traveled to Kauai, took a scuba diving trip to the island of Ni'ihau, and generally shot a lot of photos. Here are some of them....
Palms
Update - Yeah I changed the title from one dumb thing to another.
Hawaiian Goose or Nēnē, Branta sandvicensis
These handsome creatures are the endemic and endangered Hawaiian State Bird. Their similarity in appearance to the Canada goose is not a coincidence. Studies indicate that a population of Canada geese got established in Hawaii about 500,000 years ago and evolved into the Nēnē as well as several extinct species including the flightless giant Hawaii goose. At nearly four feet long it was the largest native vertebrate in the natural history of the islands. They are truly a case of Canadians on vacation in paradise that just decided to stay; and adapt.
It is estimated that as many as 25,000 nene roamed the islands when Captain Cook landed in 1778. By the early 1950's there were only 30 left in the wild. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs have the current population at about 800 in the wild (on Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island) and 1,000 in captivity. The birds on Kauai are probably the safest because there is no alien small asian mongoose population.
We spent the morning hiking in the rainforest of Koke'e State Park attempting to get photographs of native Hawaiian honeycreepers. I saw several, including 'i'iw, apapane, elepaio and amakihi but I wasn't able to fire off a single frame of the small fast moving little buggers. In the afternoon we saw this small flock of six nene grazing in the outfield of a high school baseball field across from where I was staying. They were excellent subjects and it wasn't raining.
Old number 064 here did this display at me a few times. I am not sure what to make of it exactly but it give a good view of the bird's foot. You can see that the webbing has receded because they spend little or no time in the water. The feet are padded to walk on rough lava landscapes.
Na Pali Coast
Jungle Fowl
Kauai is known for these feral chickens. They are descended from birds brought to Hawaii over 700 years ago by the Polynesians. They are the first introduced species of bird in Hawaii.
Hai!
The roosters are impressive looking birds.
Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus schauinslandi
This is one of the most endangered seals on earth, with only 1,200 individuals and a declining population. I was fortunate to see at least two of them while diving near the island of Ni'ihau, a two hour boat ride southwest of Kauai. We first saw this one resting on the bottom.
Taking off for the surface.
This one really seemed to like posing for the camera.
The underwater terrain at these divesites was spectacular.
Longnose Hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus
Ni'ihau is one of the few places in Hawaii where you can find this rare fish at recreational diving depths. It is associated with black coral usually at depths well over 100 feet.
To finish the trip I spent some time at Kiluea Lighthouse State Park, a great place to photography seabirds.
Red-Tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda melanorhynchos
Red-Tailed Tropicbird
Great Frigatebird or 'Iwa, Frigata minor palmerstoni
The Hawaiian name 'Iwa means thief as these amazing flyers make part of their living by harassing and stealing fish from other birds.
And we can't have a Hawaii photo diary without at least one....
BOOBY!
A Red-Footed Booby in this case.
Waterfalls. Near one of the wettest spots on earth
I hope you have enjoyed your visit here. Please feel free to post your photos and, as always, please be good humans.
West Kauai Sunset