Hawaii Scenic Landscapes, Come Forth into the Light

Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher.

- William Wordsworth

 

Finally, A Beautiful Morning and Sunrise

Its been one storm front following another front the past few weeks filled  with dreary skies. I've also been distracted with travel plans to visit Spain and Morrocco soon in May.

But, seeing blue skies again has prompted me to continue my morning walks here in Hawaiian paradise park and be a part of the magical sunrises that occur in this part of the world.

 

It was a spectacular morning today and I'm enjoying the early sunrise by myself. The scenery is just so dramatic and incredible at this time of the morning, don't you think?  Golden light reflects brightly on the dark cliffs against these huge lava rocks and the waves crash so violently even after each storm - its so exciting to see this early in the day!


For more amazing sky views go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Swirling Patterns with Colorful Leaves

Along the beach at Haena are these beautiful autograph trees with wonderful large green leaves that eventually turn into bright orange, yellow and red before they fall onto the ground.

Except here, they are falling into the sand, a beautiful black and white sand beach.

In an ever changing pattern of swirls and texture created with the ebb and flow of the tide coming on the beach.

Its magical and I watch in amazement at the virtual art that is constantly changing before my very eyes, so exciting to see.


This is my contribution to skywatch friday, to see others go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

A Tsunami From Japan to Hawaii

The Tsunami from Japan or across the ocean, somethimes hits the east side of Hawai Island as an indicator to the rest of the state, but this time the west side on Kona took the brunt of the damages. Mostly with Tidal surges going through the main thoroughfare as you can see on this You Tube video with a brave tourist taking the photos.



Surprisingly most of the areas like our stadiums are located in very low lying areas, so most people had to go to higher grounds and alot of people parked out at the local Walmart Center which is way into town and can accomodate alot of cars.  We are thankful our islands were spared and hope things get addressed quickly in Japan and the vast devastation there.

I'll share this for our skywatch friday in Hawaii http://skyley.blogspot.com/

A Beautiful Day for a Hike in San Francisco

It is one of those wonderful sunny mornings in the city when the sky is cristal blue, beckoning you to be outside and close to the ocean... I took a friends bike out to Lands end by the Cliff House to walk the new trails connecting Lands end to China Beach and then to Baker Beach. You can almost walk in a nature preserve all the way along the edge of the hills and cliffside without bumping into skyscrapers or condo complexes.  The trails are nice and flat making it accessible for everyone to traverse.







I take the stairs down to the concrete observation area next to the Cliff house to observe the waves crashing and the beautiful vistas of the Marin headlands...its really brisk but clear, so you can see all the way down to Point Reyes in Sonoma.

I've always dreamed about visiting Sutro Baths during its heyday and playing in these huge pools, they are still fun to walk around and pretend...I can visualize it during its peak filled with screaming children.

Solitary croppings with holes cut out draw my attention and I look around for wildlife...

- like these huge and ominous looking crows...just waiting for something.

I love that the residents and city took alot of effort in preserving this area and getting it right, also they made it accessible to all including disabled access ramps and walkways. The area is amazingly untouched even though its highly desireable development grounds.





Walking through these gnarled and jumbled limbs of monterey pines and cypress trees is like going through an ancient forest out in the middle of nowhere, only we are in the edge of San Francisco.

This area is special, it should be enjoyed by all especially on days like this don't you think?

This is my contribution to skywatch friday to view others go to http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Destruction, Beautiful New Land and Beaches Being Born

 


What is going on here you may ask and why is this coconut tree almost encased in this bed of lava rock. It actually is a coconut tree that was not completely burned out by lava that recently ran above ground very close to the ocean entry where lava has been spilling out for the last 20 plus years, up until recently the lava has just started to flow above ground  and into virgin forest lands close to the ocean in Kalapana, East Hawaii.





Sadly, a small portion of this beautiful virgin forest was over run with hot lava not even a few weeks old. Being immune to this type of daily activity, I decided to take a hike to this wilder part of the island and was surprised to discover so much destruction, amazing cliffs and vistas, lava and also a new beach completely born out of this lava eruption.












Here below, is the new beach that just recently developed, its is called Kawaaloa, when lava enters the cold water, it shatters immediately causing fine crystals to wash up on the cliffs and in the shallower areas creates an entirely new black sand beach….just amazing to see!







As I wait patiently for the sun to set, beautiful cloud formations and colorful hues echo the suns retreat and  paint the skies vivid and glowing tropical colors. 

 


It is hard to imagine that just a few yards away from this pristine and untouched forest is the wretched path of lava pouring down lava tubes and above ground to finally enter the cool Pacific waters. I stayed until the night stars came out and a real firework show started from Pele’s volcanic fury.







I’ll show you in an upcoming posts, that despite these harsh and scary conditions, people actually live very close to this area.  Crazy you may think, but having an affordable slice of paradise is what draws a few out to live here.



For more views of the sky this friday, go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/
To see other photohunt’s theme for natural go visit http://tnchick.com/

Please Help with Your Vote to Replenish our Food Bank

 

Aloha friends,

Could you help with a vote for Rose's project – its free!  Rose Acevedo is a board member of the Sierra Club. Here's what she's up to feed our local food bank in Hawaii.

Pepsi Co. Refresh Project is offering a million dollars every month for great ideas that support local communities.

My idea, FRUITBUSTERS, to help feed the hungry in East Hawaii was approved by Pepsi on May 1st.  The goal of FRUITBUSTERS is to develop a small crew who will rescue all the ripe fruit from trees whose owners can’t do their own picking.  This abundance of fruit will then be donated to food banks and meal programs in our area.

We need your support, so please log on below to vote. Everyone who registers can vote EVERY DAY until May 31. 

Thank you for your vote,

Rose Acevedo

Picking fruit, that would otherwise just fall to the ground and go uneaten, and donating to our local Foodbank  is a wonderful idea.  Please help us by voting for this project below.

http://www.refresheverything.com/fruitbusters

 

 

 

 

To visit other beautiful skies please visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

To visit other fertilizer fridays please visit http://www.tootsietime.com

Morning Time in the Southern Part of Hawaii Island

Its just morning time and the clouds are still dense, but the sun is stretching out to the sky and wanting to break open through a small opening and showering warm rays on the still quiet corner of Whittington Beach in the southern part of the island.

The light reflecting off the dark silhouette trees onto a tranquil fish pond used by the ancient people to feed her people.




I just woke up early enough to see a magical moment and capture the waters reflecting a double sun image into this magic fish pond.





Aaaah, its going to be another windy day and I’m hopeful that it will be sunny enough for me to take out a kayak or even snorkel in her beautiful ponds and hopefully find some underwater gems.




I’m just glad to have a sweet spot to camp close to the ocean and watch the day unfold and enjoy the company of friends.


To see other Skywatch Fridays go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Another new Dawn in Paradise

 

 

Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise. ~George Washington Carver  

 

       

 

 

I climbed out over the lava rocks to view a new dawn approaching.  

 

 

         I see it in the once dark skies that a new day is beginning and I wonder if the new day will bring promises of sunny or grey clouds or maybe and ongoing changing pattern of both.    

 

   

 

Hurry, hurry, the sun is coming finally .... there it is.  I stand there by myself and watch in awe.        

 

 

I don't want anybody to stand between the individual and existence. No prayer, no priest -- you alone are enough to face the sunrise                                           -  Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

 

Happy Aloha Friday everyone

 

 

To visit other Skywatch Friday posts go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

The Trees Sing to me when I Listen

 

 

When the trees sing,

It doesn't really matter

If you know the song,

Or if you know the words,

Or even if you know the tune.

What really matters

is knowing ....

That the trees are singing at all.

Mattie Stepanek, 1990-2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To view other Skywatch Fridays, go to http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Yes, Rain at Last … Musical notes Hitting my Roof

 

 

At last it is here, first barely audible … ever so softly hitting the metal roof, then coming down more consistently and with urgency.

 

The last few weeks of dull grey skies have teased us long enough, the heaven’s finally opening its treasure chest of liquid gold to refreshed our parched land, soothing the weary flora from its dried foundations. Will we get more nourishment or just a trickle to appease our desperate cries?

 

 

 

 

For awhile its been consistent in an hours time, and then it stopped. Although, the winds are active and bending the coconut trees, swaying their fronds in all directions.

 

After a quick walk around the garden, I see a whole branch of my papaya tree has snapped into two and toppled its top heavy bundle of young green papayas due to lack of water. I will still harvest these green papayas and make a refreshing green papaya salad which a gift from my garden.

 

After I carry my load of fresh papayas, I start to hear the faint rainy patterns again. Hitting the roof again with consistent musical notes. I’m thankful that the rain is starting again … mahalo, mahalo ( thank you )

 

To see other skywatch friday’s go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Skywatch Friday - The Other Side of Hawaii Island

 

Its rare for me to go to the other side of Hawaii Island from the east side since it takes almost two and a half hours to get here, but some friends invited me for a camp out on the beach during the week and I thought its monday … why not.

Sleeping on the beach here is really peaceful, the campground’s are very well provisioned and maintained and there’s nothing like being able to camp out on the beach with cool trade winds blowing all night into your tent.

Its morning time and I’m just lounging in my tent overlooking a white sandy beach called Spencer Beach…mornings are relaxing.

 

There’s something magical about just looking up at the trees in your tent and day dreaming….

 

 

 

No-one is on the beach yet, maybe its time to take a nice walk and even a dip… I’m sure there’s alot of tropical fish busy looking for their morning meals. I spot a lot of colorful fish, and even more exciting some turtles and lobsters hiding in some rocks!

 

 

I forgot that the beaches are quite nice on this side of the island, beautiful white powdery beaches and amazing trails leading you to even more secret beaches.

 

 

I think I can just stay here all day and take a nap under some of these mesquite trees when it gets too hot…I can’t believe its February here and already 80 degrees.

 

 

Aaaah, life is good today… Happy Aloha Friday!

 

To view more skywatch friday scenes go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Skywatch Friday – A New Dawn at the Waters Edge

 

 

Another new dawn begins in Puna on the Eastern Side of Hawaii Island, I crawled out of bed early even though the sunrise is late at 7am in our land.

But I’m glad I woke up early…..

 

                         … because mornings are truly special and worth taking a moment of your day to reflect and appreciate the simple things in life and how you want your day to begin.

 

 

 

 

See….its truly special doing this and worth the effort, thanks for sharing the moment with me.

 

                                                       Happy Aloha Friday to you.