Observation sent in from Marco Dickson. "Koko Crater, Maunalua Bay on Sept 5, 2012." Thanks Marco!!!
This turtle met her demise in April. Exact cause of death was drowning, but she had two fishhooks in her throat - one had caused extensive necrosis. However, her body condition was great and she had plenty of food in her belly. She was known as "Squiggles." It is OK to help hooked turtles, please call the NOAA turtle stranding hotline (808-983-5730), or tell a lifeguard or harbormaster. Here is a link for more info on fishing around turtles: http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_fishing_around_sea_turtles.html
Small flock, oblivious to me... Gleaning away on grass stems
juvenile eastern cottonmouth... waaaaay too close!
Two mouflon sheep presumably stranded on a chain-linked fencing meant to keep rocks from falling on a road, about 100 ft below. Mouflon are an introduced species that have wrecked the native vegetation across Hawaii. The distant shot has an orange arrow showing their location and predicament.
Clump of Amansia (synonymous with Melanamansia) with several small white silica sponges. Both green and hawksbill turtles eat this native species here in Hawaii. Second photo shows another species of blue sponge on the basal stem of the alga.
Native Hawaiian green algae, food item for both green and hawksbill turtles
One of the favorite macroalgae consumed by hawksbills here in Hawaii and across the Pacific. Looks pretty crunchy maybe too much so to be edible, but considering hawksbills eat sponges and reef, it's right in their wheelhouse.
sea lettuce, another forage fave of green sea turtles. Though, again, this alga is alien and invasive and seems to promote tumors.
