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black sand snooze

It's easy to miss snoozing turtles on this black sand beach littered with rocky outcroppings. Most people walk right by without noticing, while others seem to get as close as possible with their disposable camera.

The sea turtles seem to spend a lot of time in this protected cove, snoozing on the beach, or feeding just offshore. It's hard to tell whether they are green turtles, or hawksbill turtles, but I believe this is a green based on the beak and behaviour in the water (eating seagrass).

The turtles look enormous on the beach and in the water. Mature green sea turtles can weigh an average of 440lbs, while hawksbill sea turtles are much smaller at 176lbs - both heavier than an average person.

Green turtles live a long time, up to 80 years, while Hawksbill turtles live to about 50. That's a lot of beach time. I'm jealous.

Both types of turtles are endangered, the hawksbill is critically endangered. Regardless of status (or size), I gave the turtles lots of room and watched from a comfortable distance.

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Uploaded on Nov 12, 2009 | Map

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endless flow

Lava continues to flow from Mauna Loa just outside the boundaries of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, a few miles east of Pu'u 'O'o.

From 5:00pm until 8:00pm, visitors can drive over a lava covered highway, to a section of roadway that is still clear to park. Everyone must back into your parking spot, incase a quick getaway is in order - no joke. You then make the 15 minute hike over an old flow, to a roped off viewing area to see lava pour into the ocean at night.

The viewing area is roped off for your own safety. In November of 2005, 35 acres of shoreline (the 'lava bench') collapsed into the ocean. About 10 years before that, a similar collapse occurred. It is wise to stay within the roped off area.

It's quite a spectacular experience, but be aware that your hike back will be in complete darkness, over very sharp, hardened black lava. The park rangers organising the viewing say people get hurt every single night, without fail. Be prepared with your flashlight, decent hiking shoes, water and some common sense. It's a spectacular sight.

If you are exceptionally brave, you can take a 'lava boat' ride, which brings you within a few hundred feet of the hot lava flowing into the ocean. Note the 'lava boat' in the bottom left of this picture.

We opted for the hike.

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Uploaded on Nov 11, 2009 | Map

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java sparrow

such a happy looking bird.

while it's an alien bird to Hawaii, it's status is listed as 'vulnerable' in it's native habitat (Java, Bali, Indonesia) due to habitat loss and hunting.

Java Sparrow - Wikipedia

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Uploaded on Nov 11, 2009 | Map

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sunset at 9200 feet

Mauna Kea is one of the best ground-based astronomy locations in the world. The location is ideal because of its dark skies, good astronomical seeing, low humidity and position above the majority of the water vapor in the atmosphere, clean air, good weather and almost equatorial location.

It also happens to host some spectacular sunsets.

Mauna Kea Observatory - Wikipedia

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Uploaded on Nov 8, 2009 | Map

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nutmeg mannikin

introduced to hawaii about 1865 from southeast asia.

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Uploaded on Nov 8, 2009 | Map

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qmnonic uses Flickr – so can you!

qmnonic's photostream

black sand snooze

endless flow

java sparrow

sunset at 9200 feet

nutmeg mannikin

Hawaii 2009

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