11-6-2013 Mana Kai

These are a few pictures I took around the property of the Mana Kai Resort, on Maui.
This little lizard stayed still long enough for me to take a picture.

This is one of the varieties of hibiscus. I love the ruffles on it.

    

Myna Bird

Rainbow Shower Tree

Sparrow

Cape Honeysuckle
Names for Capd of Good Hope, South Africa. This is a subtropic shrub. It has upright clusters of narrow, funnel like, orange-scarlet flowers projecting up from shining green leaves. 

Gray Francolin

There were adults and juveniles.

Plumbago
Native to South Africa, this is a climbing, perennial shrub tolerates both heart and cool, and often forms hedges.

Oleander
This flower can be found from Florida to California. It is a native to a wide swath of Eurasia, from the Cape Verde Island to Japan. This plant has been used in rat poisons and has created a death toll for humans, too.

Pacific Golden Plover

Hawaiian birds and flowers 11-4-2013

Zebra Dove, Geopelia striata
This is a common dove, that is abundant in residential and rural areas.
It was introduced from Asia in 1922. It is also known as the Barred Dove.

On the beach where we stayed, several people brought seed to feed the doves.

Plumeria, is a beautiful tropical American native, so common in Hawaii that it is usually the first flower the visitor encounters in the form of leis. The waxy, fragrant, and long-lasting spring flowers are borne in clusters on trees that look somewhat succulent.
They trees are drought resistant and are common sights in dry areas where other plants may suffer.
They range in color from white, to pale yellow, red or maroon.  They are beautiful in clusters.

Kou
It is a coastal tree about 30 feet tall that was introduced from Polynesia to Hawaii by the early native immigrants.  It was important to the Hawaiians as a source of wood for cups and bowls, it is prized for the beautiful grain.
It is a popular shade tree and the orange, scentless flowers bloom in clusters throughout the year.

Hibiscus, comes in a variety of colors, as well as single or double blooms, or fringed.
Hibiscus is used for food, tea, fibers, wood, dyes, perfumes, and medicines.

Northern Cardinal
It was introduced to the islands from eastern U.S. in 1929.

It is also know at the Kentucky or Red Cardinal.
There is a small wooded area in front of the Mana Kai  that I loved to watch for different birds.

Umbrella Tree
They are native to Australia and commonly grown as small house plants.  If put in the ground they grow rapidly to heights of 40 feet tall. They branch and form a flat canopy.
It is sometimes called the octopus tree, due to the flower spikes that spread from the central point like the out-stretched arms of a 6 foot octopus.

Spotted Dove
This bird is common on all the main islands from sea level to 8,000 feet. It is also know as Lace-necked, Chinese Dove or Mountain Dove.

This dove is common in urban and rural areas. It will also feed in native forest.  It can become accustomed to humans, but is more wary than the Zebra Dove.
When they are courting there is an elaborate ground display with much bowing and tail flaring.
They were displaying a lot while we were there.

Common Myna, resting in the wooded area.

They have such a soft cooing sound.

House sparrows

African Silverbill
Common on Maui. First recorded in the early 1970's, but it is not known when it was actually introduced to the islands.
It is a small bird, only 4 1/2 inches.

They like the dry habitats.  They are often found in large flocks.  This day, this was the only one.

Oleander
It has an almond perfume. It is widespread in California and Florida.
It is not a plant to mess around with.  It has been used in rat poisons.

Pacific Golden-Plover

Zebra Dove, notice the blue tinge on its face.

Spotted Dove

House Sparrow

Zebra Dove with his tail up and about to bow.

Hawaiian Birds November 4, 2013

While on the island of Maui, I did get the opportunity to watch some of the birds.  I kept watch for them. 

Some were easy to spot, others not so much.

Almost as soon as we landed I  found my first bird book.  Before the week was over, I had 4 different books.
The one "A Photograph Guide to the Birds of Hawai'i" by, Jim Denny was the most extensive  of the books.
Hawaii Audubon Society, has a book Hawaii's Birds, that I used most as a reference.
Some like the one above, I am not sure of.  

Wandering Tattler or "Ulili
Common winter visitor, arriving in the islands by August and leaving for Alaskan breeding grounds in late April or early May.  Some non-breeding birds may oversummer.

They are generally solitary but are sometimes found in pairs or small flocks.
I saw this bird he was just the one.

They feed by probing the bill into mud or under rocks for mollusks and other invertebrates.
They bob their tail when walking.

This guy wanted to make sure he was pretty for the camera.

Wandering Tattler

The Pacific Golden Plover.
They are found on mudflats, lawns, fields, and grassy mountain slopes from sea level to 10,000 feet.

When this bird stays for the summer, they will seldom attain breeding plumage.

I thought this was a Black-bellied Plover.  Good thing when you add your information to e-bird, they do check with you and verify the information you submit.

Here is one of the crabs sunning himself on the rocks along the shore.

Watching the waves coming in.

The crabs blend in quite well with the rocks. You have to watch and see if you can catch them moving.

Sea urchins. It was so interesting to watch the waves come to shore and see the pools left with small fish and urchins.

Have to have a rump shot!

Another type of urchin.

This fish was about 5 inches long, and liked to hide between the rocks.

Common Myna
 These birds are very common and widespread on all the main islands.
It was introduced from India in 1865 to control insect pests.
It is hard to tell the sexes apart.

Mynas are social birds that travel in pairs and assemble in noisy flocks.
They were the first birds you would hear in the morning.
They are a nuisance bird, as they are so many of them.
They breed from February to August and can raise up to three broods.