While hiking through Poli Poli State Park in the uplands of Maui I came across a large number of spiders that resembled the black widow, however; these spiders were slightly smaller and the red markings typical of most Latrodectus spp. appeared to be obscured on these individuals (I found about 20 or so on my hike). I'm not sure whether this is genus Latrodectus (widow spiders) or Steatoda (false widows). Even though its been several years, I seem to remember seeing some of these spiders with the typical papery egg sacs seen in L. hesperus or L. mactans webs, but I don't have a photo and these individuals did appear a little smaller than L. mactans that I have seen in Texas. Does L. hesperus ever exhibit a loss of the red pigment?
Hawksbill sea turtle. No visible tumors, but considerable algae growth on the rearmost portion of the shell.
Medium sized female green sea turtle with slight FP tumor around the eye.
Two green sea turtles one male and a larger female hauled up on the beach.
Neither appeared to have any FP tumors.
A male green sea turtle (left) making a possible attempt to mate with a female green sea turtle (right). The female green sea turtle has a large FP tumor on/around her right eye. No other tumors visible on the outside of her body.
While snorkeling at Makena Surf resort area.
Large male green sea turtle enjoying being cleaned off by some of the reef fish. No signs of FP tumors, but a good sized "turtle barnacle" on the shell.
Hōlei. On the cool, misted slopes high above Kanaio, small pockets of native species have survived centuries of logging, grazing, harvesting and the competition of invasive species. The hōlei is one of the species found in these pockets in the area known as Auwahi. Once valued for its fragrant blossoms and the yellow dye derived from its bark and roots for tapa, the hōlei is now listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a candidate for endangered or threatened species status. The hōlei has its benefactors. Efforts are underway in the Auwahi region to protect and expand these pockets of native plants. Fences now keep out the grazers and pigs, and the kikuyu grass that chokes everything in its reach, is being removed. Seeds are gathered and germinated. Keikis are planted and loved. This once-rich forest may thrive again, to the benefit of species such as the hōlei.
Top-down view of 'Dryopteris wallichiana' at Pu`u Makua, August 11, '07. Overcast skies. Rebirth of a forest.
If you can guide me to an identification, I'd appreciate it. Seen at about 1000m on a southwest slope of Haleakala volcano, Maui, Hawaii, in a native plant restoration area.
Something tells me I'm tired. This is the third of this shot I posted. Well, at least this one is from a slightly different angle!
S/he came to visit, in Auwahi I, amidst a thicket of a`ali`i. I don't know what it is.
Nest of a Japanese White Eye. Cute birds, but invasive. They are known to spread bocconia seeds - a nasty invasive we fight every trip.
