Do You Know?

Do you know what this blossom is?  I didn't. 

Does this help you?

Do you know what this little black and brown bird with a blue bill is?  A Chestnut Munia, of course.  They are all over Oahu and it all started with an unauthorized cage release.  First seen in l941. 

Do you know how some people go to work from Ford Island?  Do you know what every morning at 8:00 am sounds like on Joint Base Pearl-Hickam?

Do you know the Battleship Missouri fought in WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the first Gulf War?

Do you know what a White-Rumped Shama sounds like?  Considered by many to be the most gifted songster in the islands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX7w7VMJHY8

Do you know what a Cannonball Tree looks like?  No kidding, they are huge.

Do you know what lava can look like when it cools?

Do you know what a Sausage Tree looks like? 

Do you know what happens to your camera when you need a restroom break? 
 (Do you think he is trying to tell me something?)

Do you know the names of these fish in the Pearl Harbor Canal?

Or how about these?  Neither do I. 

Do you know this chicken-like bird is endemic to Hawaii (Do you know what "endemic" means?)  It means it is native to Hawaii and found nowhere else in the world.  It is the Common Moorhen and is also endangered.  Now you know what you may not have known or ever wanted to know.

Easter Weekend - 2015

Breakfast on the Pearl Harbor Canal. 

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. 

Lots of kiddos in the neighborhood.  Several Dads are stay at home, while Mom serves in the military.

Admiral Chester Nimitz welcomes us on the Battleship Missouri for the sunrise service.

I was greatly encouraged by the large crowd and excellent message by Navy Chaplains.

A cover over head, kept the drops of "liquid sunshine" at bay. 

I remember my brother telling me about the terrific power of those 16 inch guns on the Battleship Missouri and others like it.  They could send a projectile 20 miles.

A rare serious Easter picture.  Notice the sign of affection. 

A family picture in record time.  Happy Easter... He is risen!

Foster Botanical Garden

A favorite place to visit is the Foster Botanical Gardens.  This Royal Palm is huge!!

Huge is a word that describes many of the trees in FBG. 

These red brushes lay under the tree from which they fell.  So delicate. 

Grand daughter is dwarfed by this old giant. 

I wish I knew how Monarch Butterflies ended up in Hawaii.  And where do they "winter?"  Certainly not in Central America as they do on the mainland.

Orchids and more. 

Finally a tree they can climb.  What a great place to spend a morning.