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green sea turtleObserver
bluewavechrisDescription
Green sea turtle with FP tumors.
A free swimming hawksbill sea turtle.
Hawksbill sea turtle eating on the reef.
Flowering plant at summit of Haleakala. Only one flowering of over a hundred plants seen
Several turtles poking heads out of the water after sunset near beach. One turtle came up on.beach.
Growing in large mats on beach in Kihei
6 birds, 2 adults and four juveniles in small stream next to St. Theresa's church, Kihei, Maui. One bird had a radio transmitter.
Hawksbill sea turtle "Misty".
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
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.
Medium sized song bird, distinct large orangish-red bill, with yellow plumage on chest. Kind of feisty.
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.
Unreal how many 'Apapane were flying around Mauna Alani. At times saw three or four birds flying over the top of the ridges I was hiking down. One perched just above my head while I rested under a large alien albesia.
The coastal variety of the naupaka can be seen everywhere around the shearwater colony at Hawea Point.
Observed hundreds of wedge-tailed shearwaters (and grabbed a few) while assisting Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project in their banding efforts. These are just the ones I was able to snap with my camera on my phone, as my digital camera was dead.
Green sea turtle (male) with FP tumors around the eye (small tumors). None observed elsewhere on the body.
This green anole was hidden in the bushes by the shoreline access parking at the Kapulua Bay Villas.
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.
A fern species, taller than most ferns in similar habitat. Peel back a pinnae and see the shark fin that distinguishes the fern. Circular sori on the back.
Came across a Cane Toad today on our way back to the truck. We were checking our sonde in Honolua stream when my co-worker Jill pointed out the toad sitting upon a rock.
Saw these gorgeous Ohi'a lehuas at the top of Papua ridge in Honolua. An apapane was perched on top of one, yet I was unable to snap a picture quick enough of the native bird.
This pukiawe was observed off a dirt bike trail above Papua stream in Honolua. Hawaiian native indigenous plant
This Blechnum species is common throughout the West Maui Mountains. Easy to identify because of the parrallel sori.
Two large Norfolk Pines dominated the stream bed. Easily 100 ft tall.
The state tree of Hawaii, Kukui trees are often very large in West Maui; however this one was only 10 feet tall.
Several medium sized cinnamomum trees were present along the stream bed in the gulch we were working in. Lopaka showed me how the leaves give a fragrance when you crush them. Distinct lines can be seen in the leaves, with the backside of the leaves containing a pale greenish hue.
This Melaleuca is found throughout the preserve, or was atleast dominant in the area(s) I was working in. Co-workers informed me it was a Melaleuca, yet am unsure if it is the Melaleuca quinquenervia.
Photographed this mango in one of our campsites in the Preserve.
Several of these turtles were seen in 'turtle town'...an area near Maalea Bay and off of Kihei, Maui,Hawaii. This one was said to be a female due to the short, stubby tail observed (mature males have long, thick tails).
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.
While driving back to Lahaina from the Earth Day event at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului, I saw a humpback quickly breach about 500 yards off shore. I think it may be my last sighting of the season, as the whales are certainly on their way back to their Alaskan summer feeding areas.
Typical of any place where there is people, food scraps, and some sort of perch, I saw House Sparrows picking off crumbs nearby a trash can at the Earth Day event.
While volunteerig at the Earth Day event at the Botanical Gardens, I saw a male Kentucky Cardinal perched in a tree along the outskirts of old zoo property. Although another invasive species, this one is always delightful to see simply because I never saw one on the mainland.
While volunteerig at the Earth Day event at the Botanical Gardens, I saw a male Kentucky Cardinal perched in a tree along the outskirts of old zoo property. Although another invasive species, this one is always delightful to see simply because I never saw one on the mainland.
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...
