May 10, 2009

Backyard visitor

Just before sunset last night my cousin looked out the kitchen window and noticed that three of the cats were sitting in a circle staring at something just outside the fenced back yard. Three of the dogs were just inside the fence, focusing their gazes on the same area. We went out to investigate and found the fellow above, hissing and trying to strike at the cats.

Next door neighbor Tommy has a new handgun he’s been wanting to try out. It did the job. I may never walk outside again, at least until I get a good sturdy pair of snake boots!

[tags]outdoors, snake, moccasin, Texas outdoors, wildlife[/tags]

December 11, 2008

Rain delay

It started yesterday afternoon. We had had some gusty winds and a few sprinkles early in the day. Paul came over and cut a cabinet front and doors out in my carport. I was going to sand and stain them after he left so he could come install them today. He was barely out of sight when a strong gust snapped my flagpole and the rain began to come down in earnest, blowing sideways and soaking everything in the carport. I secured everything I could and covered the new work with visqueen, weighting it down with wood scraps.

The rain continued all afternoon and into the night. I heard occasional crashes on my own property and a few loud noises as neighbor’s barbecue grills and lawn chairs went flying. When I went out this morning I stepped into four inches of water in my carport. Leaves and debris were moving across the paved surface at a brisk pace as the wind continued to drive rain and everything else it encountered.

Paul’s chop saw was sitting on a half-inch piece of scrap wood under the work table. The bottom of it was in water, but the motor was high and dry. I raised it a little higher with a couple of lengths of 2X4. He called me today to tell me that all of his other tools are lost under two feet of water that flooded the place he’s staying.

I had secured everything that I could before I came inside yesterday. At that time I only wanted to protect everything from the gusty rain that was blowing through the carport. There was nothing I could do this morning about the birch plywood leaning against the wall and thoroughly soaked by the flood. I hope it will dry out and still be usable.

I’m a little frustrated that the weather is delaying the work that was going smoothly, but I’m much better off than Paul and many others around the island. Roads and schools are closed and emergency shelters have opened for folks who have been flooded out of their homes. You can see the story and view some slides at KHNL News. They even have pictures from my Waianae Coast this time. Rainfall totals around the island vary between 8 and 14 inches, but the rain is still coming down and is expected to continue through the weekend. Lucky we live Hawaii?

[tags]flooding, Hawaii, Oahu, rain, storm, Waianae Coast[/tags]

December 3, 2008

They’re everywhere!

A couple of weeks ago I had to buy crickets for the Jackson’s Chameleon I captured after Lance cornered it in the yard. I couldn’t find any food for him in the house or yard, though insects are usually available in abundance. I turned the Jackson’s lose after I found out what all the keiki in the neighborhood already knew: I couldn’t sell him because any kid that wants one just needs to beat the bushes here on the Waianae Coast and will surely find one for free. Now that I don’t need insects they seem to be everywhere again. A couple of nights ago I noticed something strange about the antenna on my car.

I had to get a little closer to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me. Sure ’nuff, it was a praying mantis, pretending his brilliant green coloring was invisible against the black of the antenna.

Tonight’s special visitors include this giant grasshopper (he’s about four inches long,) swarming ants and some small black beetles that have been swarming on the carport for the last week.

I haven’t seen the chameleon since two days after I tuned him loose. He’s probably still wandering around the garden, but I wouldn’t mind if he wanted to patrol the inside of the house for cockroaches every now and then. He might as well make himself useful if I can’t sell him for cash. There’s not even any sense in getting life insurance quotes for him or his gecko cousins out on the carport. They’re all outlive me and be fat and happy for a long, long time if they stay around here.

[tags]Hawaii, insects, Jackson’s chameleon[/tags]

November 19, 2008

Jackson comes to call

We have a lot of feral cats in my neighborhood. Just this morning Lance spotted one sunning in the neighbor’s yard right over our fence and went into his beagle antics, barking and baying, trying to claw his way though the chain link. A little later he started again. Barking at felines doesn’t usually last long because they get tired of it pretty quickly and move on. This time the barking went on and on, and Lance wouldn’t even stop when I hollered out the window at him. I went out to the side yard to see what the stir was. As I approached I thought he was barking at a small branch blown from the neighbor’s tree. We’ve been getting great, gusty winds for a few days and there are branches and other detritus scattered around the yard. When the branch tried to climb up the side of the shed I knew I’d been wrong.

Meet my new houseguest, a Jackson’s Chameleon. They were introduced to Hawaii in the seventies and have become popular pets for local kids. I called my pet warehouse folks and have been advised that this fellow won’t starve within twenty-four hours, so I’ll add crickets to the list when I go pick up Lance’s Science Diet tomorrow.

That’s assuming I don’t find him a new home by then. The stores sell Jackson’s for $20 and up, so I’m hoping the afternoon rush of kids walking home from school will help me find him a new family. If not, I’ll just keep the sign up and I’m sure someone will want him soon. I’ve got him situated in a giant planter right now, with a water dish and a little greenery to keep him company. He needs a cage or aquarium, but since I’m not keeping him I won’t bother. I’ve seen them wandering around inside clients houses on several occasions, but I’m keeping this guy outside on the carport. Aside from lizard poop on the kitchen counters and computer desks and who-knows-where else, there’s Lance to consider. He might eventually get over being intimidated and decide that a Jackson’s for dinner would be a fine thing. I’m not terribly fond of the little green guy, but I don’t think he deserves death by beagle, either!

[tags]chameleon’s, Jackson’s chameleons, pictures[/tags]

September 24, 2008

Enjoying the great outdoors in comfort and style

Living in Hawaii means I get to use my patio furniture year-round. We don’t call them patios in the islands, of course. The word here is lanai, and everyone has one, even if it’s just a few square feet. I enclosed my big lanai a few years ago and turned it into a screened room. I had to leave my wicker furniture in there because wicker doesn’t do well in our tropical sun, especially after exposure to our monsoon-like winter weather. If I’d had any sense at all I’d have bought wicker resin instead. Have you seen it? You can’t tell the difference between wicker resin and real wicker to look at it. It’s got all of the beauty and charm of wicker, but can stand up to the elements so much better. If your lanai (or patio) isn’t covered and you love the look of wicker, this is the way to go.

In addition to my screened-in lanai I also have an outdoor relaxing/entertaining area. I like to sit out there and read or play with my bubble gun or just chill for a while. (Yeah - I have a bubble gun and I play with it a lot. Wanna make something of it?) When friends come over we ususally end up relaxing out there, sipping iced tea and sometimes sharing an outdoor meal under my huge sun umbrella. It’s essential to have good outdoor furniture when you live in paradise, and we all use it so much that we don’t mind spending a little money on quality. Some of the pricey homes I inspect have lanai furniture that probably costs as much as all the furniture in my home, but here’s the thing: you don’t have to spend a fortune to have an upscale patio set. OudoorFurnitureOnline carries some pieces that are a little out of my price-range, but they also have a nice selection for those of us who have to keep an eye on our budgets. And get this: they’ll negotiate with you if you find the same furtniture at a chaper price on another site. Shopping online frequently boils down to comparison pricing. Go ahead - surf around online and check out the other guys. If one of them has what you want at a cheaper price, let OutdoorFurnitureOnline know and they’ll work with you to make the deal. They’re all about providing quality outdoor furniture, but their knowledgeable and friendly customer service staff wants it to be an enjoyable experience for you. Go look a their furniture, give them a call, then come back and tell me if it isn’t so. I think you’ll like what you find!

[tags]furniture, outdoor furniture, outdoor living, patio furniture[/tags]

November 1, 2007

Good stuff - Free trees!

Did you know that Friday is Arbor Day? I know because I’ve been hearing about the free tree giveaway every time I turn on the TV or radio lately. Our electric supplier, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is giving away trees and providing expert advice on selecting the right trees and planting them in the right places.

(Sorry - that’s not really clickable. I tried!)

What do trees have to do with an electric company? HECO promotes wise energy usage. Properly placed shade trees can keep your house cooler and contribute to your overall plan to reduce your carbon footprint. Very cool way to do it, too. For my local readers, check out free trees at HECO for times and locations. Plan now on getting out early Saturday to grab the best tree! Rumor has it that the trees are usually snatched up within an hour or so, so skip the second cup of coffee and get there early!

In other good news: Surf’s up! Yeeeeeha! It’s at “fun surf” levels - knee to chest high - so the pros won’t be excited, but it’s safe for tourists and pretty much anyone else with a board. Have I mentioned that though I don’t surf I really enjoy watching the beautiful bronze boys and girls doing their amazing thing on the waves? People-watching at its finest!

This post will be linked to today’s Share Some Good Stuff meme.

[tags]Arbor Day, free trees, good stuff, Hawaiian Electric Company, HECO, Oahu surf[/tags]

October 27, 2007

Parking lot denizens

I drove a friend to a clinic appointment and sat with her in the waiting room until her name was called. There was some time to kill while she was with her doctor, so I headed for my car to get my book about an Orlando vacation rental. As I left the building I disturbed a large, noisy flock of red-vented bulbuls. I abandoned the idea of reading and retrieved my camera from the car instead. The bulbuls flew away again as soon as I approached them with camera in hand, of course.

There were quite a few myna birds about. They’re almost always seen in pairs and spend a lot of time strutting on the ground. A man I worked with when I first came to Hawaii calls them “stupid birds” instead of mynas. They’re fond of paved roads and when cars approach them they seem to forget they can fly. It’s comical to see them trying to outrun a motorized vehicle, but a lot of them pay with their lives.

Zebra doves are pretty common in the islands. I’ve had nesting pairs in my yard as long as I’ve lived here. Their cooing is one of the first sounds I hear each morning.

I took over a dozen shots of this sassy red-crested cardinal, but never did catch him completely still. He was very busy inspecting the pavement for bits of plant matter and insects, never still the entire time he was in my sight.

Golden plovers over-winter in Hawaii. They are abundant near my home and I sometimes sit and watch them on the beach. They, too, are very “busy” birds, constantly running and picking and pecking.

I’m not sure who this pretty green fellow is, but I think maybe some type of finch. My copy of Hawaii’s Birds doesn’t picture him.

A single red-vented bulbul returned just before I was ready to leave. He paused or a brief rest, then flew away. My friend returned and we, too, went on our way.

[tags]birds, birds in Hawaii[/tags]

October 22, 2007

Do we need Never Summer Snowboards in Hawaii?

Of course we do! We don’t get to snowboard on Oahu. It might surprise some of you to know that you can play in the snow in Hawaii, though. Our tallest mountains, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Haleakala get snow every year. When a good snow falls people here grab their gear, hop on inter-island flights and take their surfing to the mountains. (You’d be surprised how often I see snowboards and skis in the local homes I inspect.) Most snow bunnies go to the mainland, though, if they want to play in the snow, since our’s is usually not very deep and doesn’t last long. There are a lot of ski clubs and travel clubs here that arrange trips for snow-lovers. Whether you get your snow fix in Hawaii or the more traditional spots, you’ll want to check out Never Summer Snowboards to get yourself geared up for the fun. They’re built tough in Denver, Colorado by folks who know what you want, and come with a 3-year warranty, one of the longest in the industry. Pick out a styling design and make sure you get a Dakine Super Tune Kit to keep your board in tip-top shape. Dakine? Like da kine, the Hawaiian pidgin catch-all term for something everyone knows? Well, there ya go! Snowboard experts with a Hawaii connection! Winter’s coming. I know because I had to sleep in sweats last night (must have been way down in the sixties!) It’s time to get outfitted for winter fun. What are you waiting for?

[tags]Hawaii, snowboards, Never Summer Snowboards, sports gear, winter sports[/tags]

October 14, 2007

Secret cove

Beaches in Hawaii are, for the most part, public. If you want a home on the beach you’ll probably have to buy an exisiting one because new beachfront developement is prohibited in most areas. When the old neighborhoods were being built it was necessasry to maintain public access to the beaches, so you’ll find little pathways between houses.

Some of them are narrow and pretty well hidden if you don’t know where to look. See the red shrub in the photo above? It’s easy to drive right by without discovering the secret it disguises. A narrow path of toe-stubbing coral thinly covered with sand leads to a quiet beach.

The beach bears no name on the maps I’ve seen. Locals call it by the name of a retired politician who owns one of the homes that front the beach. It’s only about fifty yards wide (if even that,) with coral ledges bordering each side and funneling the waves toward shore. I’ve swum here a few times, but the surf is usually a little too wild. Corals just below the surface only a few feet from shore are capable of slicing into flesh, and sea urchin spines can cause painful reactions when they penetrate flesh.

The coral is at several levels of elevation, with older, dead coral up above most of the action. Tidepools filled with urchins, shrimp, small fish and other life confirm that the water does wash over this upper platform on a regular basis. The landscape is eerie, almost lunar in appearance, with dried sea salt rimming pools that haven’t been refreshed for a while.

Around its margin the tidepools are permanent fixtures, regularly replenished at high tide. A few picturesque openings feed the larger tidepools where hand-sized fish can sometimes be found.

The lower coral ledge teems with life. Seaweed, fish and urchins are the most consistently visible. When the tide is just right, though, the table-like surface becomes an amusement park ride for honu (green sea turtles,) who allow incoming waves to tumble them, heal over tail, across the mossy-looking surface. They pause for a quick snack of coral before the next wave tumbles them back into the ocean, then swim back to their starting point and do it again.

This is the only beach I’m aware of on the Waianae Coast where honu routinely congregate in the water and where some come ashore to bask in the sun. I’ve seen as many as three at a time on the beach, but it’s more usual to see just one, as I did on the days I took these pictures. A keen eye will spot them in the water, though. I saw six or seven today and that’s about the norm, though I figure there’s probably several unseen for each one I spot.

I’ve never seen them move very far up the beach. They generally nap just a yard or so above the wave line, where the sand is wet and an occasional surge reaches out to remind them that home is nearby.

I rarely see other people when I go to the secret beach, but maybe I’ve never gone on a weekend before. When I went today there were two couples and a family each claiming a small section of beach. I spotted the scene above when I arrived, so I don’t know if honu or the tot got there first, but they both seemed perfectly contented with the arrangement. The little girl ignored the turtle. Honu opened one lazy eye a few times, but not with great enthusiasm. Perhaps that grand tradition, the Sunday afternoon nap, is a fixture in the turtle kingdom, too.

This post appears in the Carnival of Aloha published on November 5, 2007. Come! Share the Aloha!

[tags]beaches, green sea turtles, Hawaii, Hawaii beaches, Hawaii photos, honu, photos[/tags]

July 12, 2007

Waianae hot spot

The catch is stowed on ice in the hold. The gear is clean and organized. By the time they’re back in the harbor, their day is almost done. They can relax, the most rigorous part of their day behind them. They’ve probably already had a few beers on the way back in, but the serious fishermen save the serious drinking until the boat is out of the water and they’re done with the perils of the sea for the day. The ones who left before dawn will arrive back at the harbor long before lunchtime. If they have “other” jobs, an Employment screening would show salt water, not drugs, running through their veins.

The boat washing station is a social gathering spot where fish tales are told, with the proof on ice to back them up. They’re rivals for the catch, especially at tournament time, but everyone is best friends after a good run. Laughter bounces off of finberglass hulls and grown men are not above a good water fight. They’ll be back to work soon, selling their marlin and ahi or cutting it into slabs for the freezer. But right now, just for these few minutes, they’re boys again and school’s just let out.

[tags]boats, fishing, fishermen, harbor, Hawaii, photos, Waianae, Waianae Boat Harbor[/tags]