Came across a flock of 4 or 5 Nene birds floating about the reservoir that comes out of Olowalu. The birds immediately flew North when our trucks roared by on the way to our LZ.
Came across multiple shruby a'ali'i while scouting along the ridges of Ha'enanui. This shrub-like plant has lance-shaped green leaves that are longer than they are wide.
Hiked through a large bowl dominated by Brazilian Pepper, or "Christmas Berry", today while looking for ungulate sign.
Another common bird of Maui, Spotted Doves can be found around Lahaina but even in the upper reaches of most stream gulches and mountain ridges. Birds look like pigeons, but with a black band with small yellow spots around the neck. Larger than most other birds commonly found in commercial and residential areas on the island.
Common dove around Lahaina Town. Commonly seen invasive species, especially down around Front St. Smaller than the Spotted Dove. Stripe-like marking on neck, and a pale blue and gray in color.
Naupaka's in Hanaula happened to be flowering. Was nice because earlier this week I saw the coastal naupaka at Hawea Point.
The DROA line contains lots of kanawao, some very large individuals as well as this one that I came across that looks like it was about to flower.
Saw several Ilex anomala while hiking down the DROA line on Hanaula Ridge.
We identify the hawaiian holly species by its potato chip leaf, as it breaks much like a pringle when you crack it.
While checking one of our units on DROA line, I looked up from a hole in the uluhe to see my first Japanese Bush Warbler. I always here these birds singing in the forests, but rarely see them because they stay in the deep in the foilage and fly away before you can even approach the base of the tree.
While fishing at the beach park, I saw several Cattle Egrets flying north just above the shore. I have seen numerous egrets foraging on the various golf courses located on the Northern tip of West Maui and suspected that to be their destination.
Also present on the beaches of Wahikuli Park were pesky House Finches. I am not a fan of these birds, even on the mainland, and bothered by their abundance on Maui.
As I was biking home from snorkling at Kaanapali Beach, I saw several Mynah birds acting as a local nuisance. Mynah birds suck...
While waiting to be helivaced out, I was taking pictures of the flowers in our LZ. Little did I know that most of the flowers I photographed were primarily weeds.
Came across Lantana camara during today's feral pig scouting. Here in Hawaii it is a problamatic invasive species and common weed.
As I was hiking back into Ha'enanui Gulch to scout for feral pig sign, I came across some very feisty Leiothrix. They were not shy at all and continually barked angrily at me until I continued down the gulch.
Saw several Kolea (American Golden Plovers) on the road embankments on our way out of Kapunakea. They were feeding in the open fields foraging for grubs and other insects. The plovers are almost done changing their plumage, and soon should be leaving for the Arctic for their summer migrations.
Observed several white-eyes flying from 'ohi'a to 'ohi'a as well as perched on strawberry guavas in the Reserve.
I saw this Pueo soaring overhead while doing our feral pig scouting in Kapunakea. It made this odd twitching motion every so often, almost as if it was shaking something off of it while it flew. It almost seemed like it would break into a dive to snatch a prey item, but instead it just did this strange twitch and continued flying.
This Night Heron was perched above the intake for the Ka'anapali. Co-worker said they usually perch here and catch tilapia from the agricultural ditches and intakes.
Might be an ornamental plum? Looks purposefully planted alongside two others at a park.
Small female green sea turtle. No tumors, but missing her right front flipper. She seemed to swim without too much extra effort. The only time she seemed to have trouble was when she had to dive from the surface. That took some extra work.
Medium sized green sea turtle with FP tumors around the right eye, under the right flipper and around the cloaca.
Female green sea turtle with prominent tumors growing on both "shoulders". First time seeing a turtle with FP tumors in this section of the reef.
Hawaiian Coots at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, Maui
Green sea turtle (approx 70cm from nose to tail) with substantial damage to the left rear portion of the shell.
Both rear flippers appeared to be undamaged, but a good size chunk was missing from the shell.
Small green sea turtle (about 75cm nose to tail) with FP growth around the mouth, and a large growth near the anus, hanging between the rear flippers.
First time I had seen a turtle in this area with FP growths.
