Wednesday, April 29, 2009

And Snow It Goes!

We are back from Hawaii, and had a wonderful relaxing time! Jen did a great job of "minding the farm", and we were delighted to see that the six inches of snow that was on the ground when we left is all gone...just a tiny patch of the white stuff remains beside a big shaded log pile.

Many birds are back from warmer climes, and we have a pair of mountain bluebirds hanging around!

Here are a few photos from our vacation:


A bird-of-paradise. They are everywhere in Maui...people sell huge bunches of them at the end of their driveways for three dollars.


The view looking east from the lanai at our condo. We stayed at Ka'anapali, just north of Lahaina.


Sunset over the ocean, looking west from our lanai.


Hana Bay. We went to Hana twice, despite its legendary tortuous narrow highway with 617 curves and 50-something one lane bridges. The surroundings more than made up for the harrowing drive. The seascapes are breathtaking, and the tropical rainforest wonderous.


We went on an early morning whalewatching trip, and were treated to some fantastic sights. Here you can see the tail of a mother humpback whale. If you look below the right side of her tail fluke, you can see her calf. Humpbacks feed in the waters off Alaska during the summer, and migrate to Hawaii during the winter months to breed and give birth. We were able to hear a male singing with the aid of a hydrophone lowered into the water.