Two fish du jour

We are quite familiar with all the butterflyfish in the Caribbean, but Hawaii has many more species.  Many of them are quite striking in appearance.  Yellow, black and white are their basic colors.  But who knew how many different ways fish could use these basics?

Today's photos are the lined butterflyfish and threadfin butterflyfish.  The lined butterflyfish is the largest local butterflyfish, reaching up to 12 inches.  The threadfin grows up to 8 inches.  The name threadfin is derived from the modified end of the dorsal fin, which trails the fin like a thread.

Lined butterflyfish

A pair of threadfin butterflyfish

Lunchtime visitor

As we were sitting on the lanai (deck), eating lunch, Bori spotted a mongoose.  I ran inside to grab a camera, and was able to get one shot of it, walking atop the lava-rock wall.

We have seen several others running across the road in rural areas, but this is our first mongoose in Kona.

A close-up of the mongoose

Fish from our morning snorkel

This morning, we snorkeled again and found some lovely fish that hung around long enough for photo opportunities.

The first fish is the Peacock Grouper.  It was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands from Moorea (Tahiti) in 1956.  It reminds us of a mash-up of a couple of Caribbean grouper species.  This one was about 14 inches long.

 

We also saw quite a few different surgeonfishes.  Below are two surgeonfish species.

This is the Convict Surgeonfish -- named for its stripes.  (6 or 7 inches long)

This is the Orangeband Surgeonfish, about 10 inches long.

Walking around Alii Drive

Alii Drive is the seaside road that runs through the heart of Kona.  At some points, ocean waves are breaking just west of the road, at others businesses and heritage sites line both sides of the road.

Today's heritage site is Hulihee Palace.

Much of the vegetation here is quite unlike anything one might see on the mainland.

Giant banyan tree

And, this lovely weathervane that features a spear-fisher and waves, couldn't be more perfect.

Back in the water

This morning, after the high surf subsided, we headed out to snorkel.  The conditions weren't fabulous, but the marine life didn't disappoint!

Bori

We saw lots of beautiful, brightly-colored fish that don't occur in the Caribbean, but they didn't hang around long enough for a great photo opportunity.

Pencil urchin

However, we were lucky enough to see two green turtles, and one was very calmly resting on the bottom, and didn't seem to mind us watching him.

Green turtle

Finally, we made it to Hawaii

After a delay of 10 days, and several ice storms, including the day before we left Portland, we flew to Kona.  Leaving the ice and snow for the tropics was great. 

Today, we headed to South Point, on the big island, the southern-most point in the U.S.  The cliffs of South Point stick out into deep water.  As a result, fishermen can deep-sea fish from the shore.  It is an impressive location.

Looking south, next stop: Antarctica

Looking north

The fishermen are very dedicated, and have site-specific techniques to fish for big tuna and swordfish.  We haven't observed any fish landed here, but enjoy trying to imagine how they would manage to pull a big fish up the steep cliffs.

Of course, steep ocean cliffs speak to some people as a place to jump or dive from.  Despite signage warning people not to dive, we saw at least 4 guys leap off the cliffs, and climb the ladder back up.

 

Cliff jumper from Switzerland

When the tide is high

I often take long walks on the beach, especially near the water's edge at low tide.  But sometimes, the tide is high at the time I feel like walking.  So, I walk along the dunes, or in the drift line of driftwood. 

This week, as I walked close to the high tide, I encountered great birds hanging around the driftwood:  Snowy plovers!  Two days ago there were 11, today I found 6.

Three snowy plovers, 2 with leg bands

Apparently in response to the snowy conditions inland, a small flock of 8 or 10 western bluebirds showed up on the beach on Thursday.

Female western bluebird

Male western bluebird