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Filed under Kauai Reef Fish
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Filed under Kaua'i scenery, Kauai birds
A highlight of our Kaua’i vacation was a catamaran snorkel cruise that included a trip to the Na Pali Coast. This fifteen-mile stretch of rugged coastline on the northwest shore of Kaua’i literally means “the Cliffs.” Much of the Na Pali Coast is inaccessible because of its sheer cliffs that drop straight down for thousands of feet into the ocean. Sailing, rafting and hiking are the best ways to experience the beauty of Na Pali.
We left from Port Allen at 7:30 a.m. It was already almost 70 degrees F, and the trade winds were very light.
As we prepared for snorkeling, I saw this beautiful Tropicbird hovering above the swim deck. I did not have a birding lens with me, but this beautiful bird is worth sharing, even if the photo is imperfect.
We spent an hour or so snorkeling in the beautiful coral reefs. The coral and the fish were beautiful, but my underwater camera equipment was totally inadequate. However, the sea turtles stayed around after we finished snorkeling. Chelonia mydas, commonly known as Green Sea Turtles (Honu) are abundant in warm Hawai’ian waters. They feed on sea grasses below the surface.
As we powered toward the Na Pali coast (the winds were too calm for sailing) we passed abandoned sugar mills.
We could see the Forbidden Island of Ni’ihau in the distance.
As we continued past the Pacific Range Missle Facility and Barking Sands beach we saw our first Humpback Whales. I was able to photograph parts of whales.
Not long afterwards we were approached by a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins. We enjoyed watching them as they swam alongside the catamaran.
After some additional time out on the ocean we began our return trip. The sun on the Na Pali cliffs was beautiful.
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Filed under Kaua'i birds. Kaua'i sea mammals, Kaua'i scenery
While we were on vacation my son Eric and I drove to Ha’ena State Park in Kaua’i, which is located almost as far north and west as you can drive on the island, to visit Limahuli Garden National Tropical Botanical Garden. It is a beautiful, peaceful place and an excellent place to see many native Hawai’ian plants as well as some spectacular scenery.
The 700-year-old rock terraces of the Kalo (Taro) garden were very beautiful.
‘Uala (sweet potato) was brought to Hawai’i by the Polynesians as a food crop.
The Pua Aloalo (hibiscus) blossoms were spectacular. Here are some of them:
There were other beautiful flowering trees and plants as well.
This beautiful spot for contemplation showcases Hala trees in the background. The leaves (lau) of the Hala tree were woven into useful items by native Hawai’ians, and it is still woven into useful items today.
The Makana Mountain ridge makes a beautiful backdrop for the garden. This is the mountain that was popularized as Bali Hai in the movie South Pacific.
When I reached the top of the trail I could see the ocean as I looked past Makana.
There were many lovely, fragrant Queen Emma lilies on the path back to the visitor’s center.
As I sat under a mango tree in one last contemplation area near the end of the trail I saw a flash of red. I saw a Northern Cardinal foraging in the bushes. Northern Cardinals were introduced to Hawai’i in the late 1920’s. I did not have a telephoto lens with me, but I was able to get close enough to take a photo of him with a portrait lens.
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Filed under Kaua'i flowers, Kaua'i scenery
On our way to Hanalei Bay we took an impromptu detour when we saw a sign pointing to Wailua Falls. These are the beautiful falls on Kauai that were made famous by the TV show “Fantasy Island,” and they are definitely worth the detour.
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Filed under Kaua'i scenery