Winter flower beauty in Hawai'i

I planned this blog earlier when I noticed vibrant blooms on plants / trees in early February. I know February is the end-of-winter month and I am convinced these plants must have burst forth with their blooms around that time. Why else, on a frequent run / walk route, would I have just noticed the showy flowering? Some of the blooms are continuing into March, the month in which spring begins, but these bloomers are starting much earlier than the usual spring blooming plants / trees.

Bauhinia / near Stadium Mall / February 2016

A number of the plants featured in this blog have special meanings for me. Two bring forth childhood memories and one brings to mind my early-move-back-to Hawai’i days. 

Bauhinia / near Stadium Mall / February 2016

The first is the Bauhinia (Phanera purpurea) or Orchid Tree. When young and living in San Diego, I remember my mother and grandmother noting this tree’s flowering beauty. As the two of them had both lived in Hawaii previously, I do not know if they appreciated / noted the plant because they were used to the flowering beauty from Hawaii. A new technical plant identification site

Bauhinia / near Stadium Mall / February 2016

The flower seen up close is exquisite and lets you see why the plant is commonly named an Orchid Tree. I was lucky to get some nice close ups - again just with an iPhone 6s! 

Bauhinia / near Stadium Mall / March 2016

This fourth photo shows how the trees a month later look less stunning as the blooms have definitely thinned out adding support to my recognition of these plants as winter blooming plants.

The next tree is the majestic and mighty African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata). Of course, these vibrant orange flowered trees are ever-present and ever visible all over Hawaii. I will have to watch their progress through a year, because they seem to flower all year round. But do they? Because, in early February, as I observed the tree full of blooms, I noticed the presence of the natural world’s “squirt gun” but the absence of the little “boats.” 

African Tulip Tree / near Stadium Mall / February 2016

African Tulip Tree / near Stadium Mall / February 2016

These are the childhood memories I have of this tree. The “squirt gun” is the little yellow-green bulb which when squeezed will put forth a small stream. The “boats” were approximately three inch long opened pods which were brown on the outside and seemed so large compared to the flower from which the “boat” came. If you wanted to really use the opened pod as a boat, you had to search for one that was still sealed at each end. 

African Tulip Tree / near Stadium Mall / March 2016

If you look at the last photo, I noticed that a month later the pods were beginning to appear. (The pods are tall, green, and pointing straight up.) This later appearance led me to believe that the flowers would have developed seasonally (in Winter) as the pods were part of the progression of the plant’s life cycle of bud, flower, and finally seed pod. 

Flowering tree / Akatsuka Orchid Gardens parking lot, Hawai'i Island / February 2016

 When on Hawai’i Island, in early February, I saw this interesting flowering tree that reminded me of fruit trees blooming. I believe it is some time of cherry or plum tree. It probably does not even produce fruit as I know there are flowering plums (in Northern California) and flowering cherry trees (I believe the cherry trees for which there are Cherry Blossom Festivals in Washington D.C. and Japan). I did not take the time to identify the tree as it took me such a long time to identify the yellow flowering plant below. I have not seen this flowering tree on Oahu and only saw a few on Hawai’i Island.

Flowering tree / Akatsuka Orchid Gardens parking lot, Hawai'i Island / February 2016

Comparing the blooming season, in early February, to that of the continental United States blooming fruit trees, it leads me to hypothesize that all of the winter flowering plants I am highlighting, bloom here in Hawai’i in an earlier season due to our mild weather. Of course, there are some definite spring and summer blooming plants here in Hawai’i so that is why I am highlighting these plants as winter flowering plants.

Cassia glauca / near Stadium Mall / March 2016

Cassia glauca / near Stadium Mall / March 2016

This yellow flowering plant was finally identified as a Cassia glauca (no common name found). 
Technical plant identification site I see this plant often near roadways. As this plant was also developing pods, I believe that, like the African Tulip Tree, it began to bloom in “winter” and is near the end of its blooming season. It is yet another plant I will have to observe throughout the year to confirm my judgement.

As said above, it was difficult to identify this plant. I learned a number of things in the process:

1) The Genus Cassia is the same as the Genus name for the Shower Trees (which are not blooming yet). This in fact led to confusion in trying to identify the plant.

2) The Leguminosae Family is also called, or probably more scientifically called, Fabaceae. Technical classification website This is commonly called the legume or pea family and are vital for their nitrogen-fixing nodules on their roots. Nitrogen fixing

3) Leguminosae or Fabaceae plants are common in Hawai’i. I wonder why that is? This plant Family notably develop pods with distinct seeds within (not pods with fluffy seeds within). How many plants / trees in Hawai’i can you think of with pods?

The final flowering plant first started catching my attention when I first moved back to Hawai’i in 1989. I always noticed the beautiful waterfall effect of the flowers. They are quite vibrant and eye-catching as they appear along fences or walls. It is the Orange Trumpet Vine (Pyrostegia venusta). Plant identification

Orange trumpet vine flowers / Aiea Heights road / March 2016 

Orange trumpet vine flowers / Aiea Heights road / March 2016 

So see which seasonal flowering plants you can see as you “watch out for the nature!”

Childhood nature memories revisited

For four reasons I am dedicating this week’s blog to my friend (since seventh grade French class), Dorothée. She, with her family, included me in their vacation plans. She suggested we walk through “Aunty Coco’s Lei Garden” trail at Waimea Falls Valley Park. She listened to my childhood story about my memories of the Crown Flower plant. And finally, she marveled over the beauty of the “crown” of the flower. She made me see something I had not ever noticed before - the probable justification of why the plant was named Crown Flower!

Purple Crown Flowers / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

White Crown Flowers / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

My friend’s delight in the flower made me appreciate that simple flower which had only been in my mind as something common place as it served as the source for our homemade lei! [Of course, the expert lei makers make beautiful lei with Crown Flowers as noted on this tropical flower site.] 

And as in the past with my providential materialization of blog topics, what should I notice on my run this morning but Crown Flower plants?!? I already had a topic on winter blooming flowers picked out for this week but noticed, in full regalia - another winter, or early spring, blooming flower - the Crown Flower! [Thank you to the Aiea resident who planted Crown Flower plants right along the sidewalk so I had such great views and photos! All taken on an iPhone 6s - yay, Apple!]

The Crown Flower plant discussion this weekend and its consequent "appearance" on my run, re-reminded me of my childhood fascination with the Crown Flower plant as it hosts the Monarch Butterfly in all phases of its life cycle. So as part of my scientific nature, I decided to stop and look for evidence to see if my childhood memories were accurate! 

Growing up, we had kindly neighbors with plants in their yard. I know we used the flowers for lei but I don’t remember if I noticed, and learned, the Monarch Butterfly phases as I picked the flowers. I do remember seeing the beautiful vividly, yellow and black, striped caterpillars. I also remember the gorgeous jewel-like chrysalides or chrysalises; they were an incomparable pale green with dots of silver and gold. I remember “growing” those in a bottle and was curious to see if they were on the plant too. 

Monarch butterfly / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

As I stopped to investigate, I was first rewarded with the appearance of two floating Monarchs. They flew all around and their “dance” started my photo-taking session. Here was proof that the Monarch Butterfly did utilize the Crown Flower plants as I remembered! 

Monarch butterfly on plant / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

Of course, I had to see if there were caterpillars. I saw the holes in the leaves right away and then noticed the caterpillars all around. There was even one that seemed to be a younger caterpillar as it was small and pale. 

Caterpillar eating leaf / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

Caterpillar on leaf / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

Caterpillar (young) on plant / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

Then I had to look for chrysalises. I looked and looked but was not able to find the pale green jewel-like ones. I did find dark ones; perhaps they were ready to bring forth a butterfly. I was so excited to get the photo of a caterpillar preparing to become a chrysalis! 

Caterpillar setting self and dark chrysalis / Aiea Heights road / March 2016

The life cycle of butterflies and moths, and metamorphosis, is one of the greatest mysteries of nature!  The emerging of a butterfly from its chrysalis is used over and over symbolically as an example of great change. How can that large meaty caterpillar turn into a beautiful encapsulated green chrysalis? And then what happens within that chrysalis to produce a butterfly whose damp wings will slowly unfurl until it is strong enough to fly around as the floating butterfly? 

What a special joy to have here in Hawaii a wondrous plant, like the Crown Flower plant, which hosts the whole Monarch Butterfly life cycle! When you see some flowering Crown Flower bushes, stop to take a look at what you can find! 

And too what a joy to have the memories of “watching out for nature” even when young and learning about the wondrous Monarch Butterfly life cycle first hand. And finally, what a joy to have a friend who notices the inherent beauty in the simple Crown Flower and makes me, in turn, remember to look in a different way at the simple and common place!

Hawai`i Island as a great volcanic stage - of growth and drama!

When on Hawai`i Island, I was reminded of a course I took where I learned about the stages of Hawaiian volcanoes. [As as aside, this University of Hawai`i course was provided free of charge to secondary school science teachers to increase their knowledge of Hawai`i’s geology as well as geological sites of interest on Oahu. Thank you UH and the professor who created the course! It was an amazing course.] 

Since the weather was so clear on Hawai`i Island, I was able to see beautiful profiles of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Those profiles were such iconic examples of two different stages of the successively older volcanoes that the Hawaiian islands go through as the continental plate moves over the Hot Spot. Mauna Loa is in the main shield stage and Mauna Kea is in the post-shield alkalic stage. Life Stages of Hawaiian volcanoes Great animated video on life stages

Mauna Loa / from Jaggar museum parking lot / February 2016

Mauna Kea / from Nani Loa hotel and plane / February 2016 

The Hot Spot is part of a theory which, in conjunction with Plate Tectonic theory, explains how the Hawaiian Island chain was formed. The Hot Spot is a “deep and fixed” area where the Earth’s rocky layer below the Pacific Plate melts resulting in magma. Geology discussion The melted magma, with varied properties and movements, created our Hawaiian Island chain from island to seamount. When the whole Hawaiian Island range is examined, it is much more extensive than many realize and it shows over millions of years how islands grow and subside. Map of whole Hawaiian island chain

Kohala volcano / from airplane / February 2016

Four of the five Hawai`i Island volcanoes / from airplane / February 2016

It is very exciting to be able to view from land, as well as fly over the Hawaiian Islands, and see geological history encapsulated as you travel down the island chain. Hawai`i Island is especially great as you can see three stages all on one island. This time as I flew away, I was able to get some great views of Kohala, which is in the erosion / reef building stage. There are nice views of the stream eroded amphitheater valleys. 

The last photos show Maui and Oahu. I believe Haleakalā, Maui’s large mountain, is also in the post-shield alkalic stage. 

     Maui isthmus / from airplane / February 2016

       Haleakalā / from airplane / February 2016 

The Oahu photos show the view of the Waianae mountains I see whenever I drive to and from home and the final shot shows the view from my home. Oahu is in the rejuvenation stage which comes after the erosion / reef building stage. The Waianae mountains are heavily eroded and shaped and include valleys on the far side some of which are due to landslides. The rejuvenation stage is evidenced by our many prevalent small craters which dot the lower areas of Oahu, like Diamond Head and Punchbowl craters in the view from my home.

                  Waianae range / from road / February 2016

Diamond Head and Punchbowl / from my porch / February 2016 

So as always, nature is all around us! Some of it is larger, and much older, than we can even conceive. But if we have the opportunity to travel to other islands, or just look again at what we have around us, we can see evidence, and gain understanding, of our natural, our growing and changing very own island home as part of Earth!

Please visit my Nature - Around Hawaii page for my last “watching outs” from my Hawai`i Island trip. It is about ecological succession and new birds that I saw on Hawai`i Island!

Our “growing” Earth (on Hawai`i Island)

Glowing and flowing lava are certainly spectacular but to me almost as equally spectacular is the other visible evidence of how our Earth is constantly growing. When visiting Hawai`i Island, I love to “watch out for” all the amazing forms of lava and signs of other volcanic activity. 

It is mind boggling to think about the heat that is below your feet every where you walk up at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park . There are stunning steam vents and a particularly magnificent Sulfur Bank. The steam vents are more visible when it is cold and foggy. The moisture collects in the cracks and then liquid water converts to the gaseous water (steam) which puffs out of the vents. Pu'u Pua'i overlook

Steam vent in Kilauea Iki crater/ from Pu'u Pua'i overlook / February 2016

As unique conditions are needed for plants and animals, this is true even for the many forms of volcanic growth. Not all cracks in the Earth, at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, are coated with crystallized sulfur. Some cracks put forth steam and the only evidence of sulfur is in the smell. Even among the many cracks at the Sulfur Banks there is unique variety. Just this one crack exhibited those beautiful crystals. The advanced crystal formation at this crack show very specific conditions are needed for crystal growth. Ha'akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) Trail

Vent with sulfur crystals / Ha'akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) Trail / February 2016

Certain trails will lead you to spectacular lava formations that jut into the air and show the power and uniqueness of lava flows. In general, there are two types of lava, pahoehoe and `a`a. In very simple terms, pahoehoe is smoother and ropey and `a`a is thick and jagged. 

Pahoehoe lava formation / Keanakāko'i Crater Trail / February 2016 

As I review the types and reexamine the photos below, I think the old flow on the Keanakāko'i Crater Trail includes both pahoehoe and `a`a lava flows but with some unexpected formations. In the photo above, there are the traditional plates and broken apart bubbles (large ones!) where you can still imagine the flowing lava that is now frozen in time. As you continue to hike you will see arched and statue-like upthrusts. Here like looking at clouds, you can imagine elephants and bridges in the shapes from afar.

Lava formations / Keanakāko'i Crater Trail / February 2016

Lava formations / Keanakāko'i Crater Trail / February 2016

I am not sure how these upthrusts formed but I was fascinated that once you got closer there were incredible, large pillar-like formations at the bases of the bridge-like formation. 

Pillar lava formations at the bridge base / Keanakāko'i Crater Trail / February 2016

A later photo shows lone pillars with no formation on top. Is this due to a different composition in the lava at that point in time? [These are not formed when trees are in the path of lava. Dead trees will form a hollow mold as the lava circles the tree and the tree later dies leaving the hole. Lava Tree State Monument]

Pillar lava formations / Keanakāko'i Crater Trail / February 2016

Two forms of lava, with uniform particles, are found miles apart. Within Kīlauea Iki crater is a large, spatter cone which was so explosive (1959) its cinder bits covered many square miles as the lava flew into the air. Spectacular eruption in 1959 When you hike all around the area of the crater your footsteps crunch on the dried, lava cinder.

Backside of the spatter cone / from Byron’s Ledge Trail / February 2016

Lava, when encountering water may explode into tiny particles to create black sand beaches like the one at Punalu’u Beach. The sand is also crunchy but shiny. Some older, black sand beaches with finer sand, and nearby running water, formed from eroding lava rocks. 

Black sand / Punalu’u Beach / February 2016

As always, closely viewing nature results in some thought-provoking and amazing finds that highlight the wonders of our Earth home! Some day, make a plan to go to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to discover your own Earth growth finds!

Hawai`i Volcano activity displays in so many ways!

Just recently we went to Hawai`i Island and to my favorite place Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; I love to stay right there in Volcano (there actually is a town called that!) or preferably at Kilauea Military Camp (if you have military ID or connections). From the Military Camp you can walk (for good invigorating hikes) to most of the best sites.

I love Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park for many reasons but the predominant reason is to see what our active volcano is doing now! The photos below highlight the activity currently. It is especially beautiful to go at night. The colors and the sounds are so exciting to witness. Although, when the volcano is more active, in a very accessible location, the crowds and their noise can lessen the mood of the experience.

Halema`uma`u crater / from Jaggar Museum overlook / February 2016 

Halema`uma`u crater at night / from Jaggar Museum overlook / February 2016 

Halema`uma`u crater at night / from Jaggar Museum overlook / February 2016 

Halema`uma`u crater in it's own plume shadow / from Jaggar Museum overlook / February 2016 

Over the years of living in Hawaii, I have been privileged to see some amazing sites provided by the volcano which has been actively erupting since 1983. Kilauea Volcano information  I have stood next to flowing lava on a road, have seen glowing lava flowing down the side of a mountain, was so close to flowing lava you could feel the heat, and have seen lava flowing into the ocean! My experiences are just yet more support for a local phrase - “lucky you live Hawai`i!”

Halema`uma`u crater / from Jaggar Museum overlook / April 2015

Halema`uma`u crater at night / from Jaggar Museum overlook / April 2015

I also went less than a year ago and was fortunate enough to be there when the rising smoke plume that started in 2008 became visible lava eruptions. History of Kilauea summit eruption (pdf)  I witnessed the bubbling and spurting of the steaming lava lake. The erupting lava looked so small but if you look at the size measurements photo below the lava was actually shooting up very high. 



Comparing the April photos with the current photos shows one of the sequential changes of volcanic activity - the lava lake alternately sinks and rises and the crater sides collapse.

Jagger Museum display on scale / Jaggar Museum / February 2016 

Reviewing the information about the spectacular Kilauea Iki Crater eruption , I think that someday Halema`uma`u crater may provide an even more amazing eruption! [You can hike in Kilauea Iki Crater and having done that many times, it is amazing to see how that massive cinder cone once formed!]

Although no matter how exciting the prospect is, a large Halema`uma`u crater eruption would be much more dangerous and destructive to surrounding structures like the historical Volcano House and the Jaggar Museum (and Hawaii Volcano Observatory) itself!

If you have a chance to go to Hawai`i Island make sure you spend one or two days at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, there is actually much more to see than the erupting Kilauea volcano. View future blogs for other joys of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park! Meanwhile keep “watching out for nature.”

Urban Flight amidst Urban Blight

Yay beauty has been restored to our Hawaii skies! And thus I am on the road to run and capture…

“Urban blight” is not as bad in Hawaii as it is in some places. At least we can see many different types of interesting birds (again about birds!) within our neighborhood suburbs. In recent days, I found some old favorites, just in new spots and new actions, and other birds which I have seen frequently and are noted for their color.

Northern Red Cardinal (male) / near Aiea Library / February 2016

My favorite photo-prey, the elusive Northern Red Cardinal! I spied the male very high on a telephone (electrical?) pole. The Red Cardinal is the true Christmas bird, as it is quite frequently “singing loud for all to hear.” [As the fans of the movie Elf know, this is one of the elf rules for “the best way to spread Christmas cheer!” Elf movie quotes]

I know the singing male is searching for a mate. But as I watch the newly reunited (or united) pair around my house, I believe the singing is also for showing off prowess as I still hear the paired male singing loud, perched high on wires or Eucalyptus trees!

Northern Red Cardinal (male) / near Aiea Library / February 2016 

Cattle Egrets / Off Nimitz Highway / February 2016

On another day, I saw Cattle Egrets in a familiar, and quite amusing, urban adaptation. I thought this was quite a telling gathering around a mower. The Egrets are fearless, and shameless, as they gather for the newly exposed treats.

Murmuration of Mynas / near Aiea Library / February 2016

I captured a photo of this “murmuration” of Mynas making a “stop.” Murmuration is actually the group name for starlings, the Family to which the Myna belongs. There was no name for a Myna group but how nice this name sounds! Although a “gaggle” or “unruly” would be more appropriate for this noisy bird. Group names for birds

Saffron Finch pair / near Stadium / February 2016 IMG_2796

I have often seen these bright yellow birds around car-related sites, parking lots and now roads. I think they are Saffron Finches rather than canaries which are also apparently found in Hawaii. Too bad I only had an iPhone as I would like a telephoto shot of these colorful birds. Bird identification

I sighted this pair of Red-crested Cardinals, one day on a tree, and then later in the week in the field, but unfortunately the colors didn’t show up well. Bird identification Too much sun! Seeing these cardinals over a few days led me to lots of questions.

   Red-crested Cardinal pair / near Aiea Library/ February 2016

1)  Why don’t I see Red-crested Cardinals around my house?

2)  Do Red-crested Cardinals prefer open, dry areas? The first time I ever saw them was in lower Halawa Valley and I have seen them in Waikiki.

3)  Do they make the same calls as Northern Red Cardinals? (I thought I heard the familiar Northern Red Cardinal calls before I saw the Red-crested Cardinal pair in a tree.)

4)  In the movie, Rio, was the Red-crested Cardinal in the jungle areas or in the city? Perhaps the fans of the movie Rio could answer this for me!

Keep Watching out for Nature! There are a lot of emerging winter flowers on trees to watch out for!