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Hawai'ian Green Sea Turtles : Hawai'ian Green Sea Turtle (Honu)

Laniakea's Beach on the North Shore of O'ahu, Hawai'i

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Hawai'ian Green Sea Turtles

Horses : Beautiful horses, four-legged friends

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Albatross at Ka'ena Point

Hawaiian Monk Seal at Sunset Beach : The Hawai'ian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is considered the most endangered seal in U.S. waters, with are only about 1,200 left. As strong swimmers they can stay at sea for as long as a month, are able to dive 600 feet and can hold their breath for 20 minutes. They eat fish, octopus, eels and lobsters.
The adults have gray or brown fur, and babies are black. They grow up to seven feet long and weigh between 400 and 600 pounds. They can live as long as 30 years.

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Hawaiian Monk Seal at Sunset Beach

Hawai'ian Monk Seal Momma & Pup, June, 2006 : The Hawai'ian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is considered the most endangered seal in U.S. waters, with are only about 1,200 left. As strong swimmers they can stay at sea for as long as a month, are able to dive 600 feet and can hold their breath for 20 minutes. They eat fish, octopus, eels and lobsters.
The adults have gray or brown fur, and babies are black. They grow up to seven feet long and weigh between 400 and 600 pounds. They can live as long as 30 years.

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Hawai'ian Monk Seal Momma & Pup, June, 2006

Those Who Crawl

Hawaiian Monk Seal and Pup, June, 2008 : At Waiale'e Beach on the North Shore of O'ahu, a Hawai'ian Monk Seal gave birth to a sweet little pup in early May, 2008. These photos were shot June 12th. The pup is very black when wet. As it dries, and if it's cloudy, it appears brown.
"The birth of two more pups is fantastic news!" remarked David Schofield, NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region Marine Mammal Response Coordinator. "Because the monk seal population is declining at an alarming rate, every birth is precious. We're trying desperately to ensure monk seals do not become extinct like their counterparts in the Caribbean."
The two births brings the total number of seals born in the main Hawaiian Islands to ten, compared to seven last year.
NOAA officials say they are expecting several more births in the coming months because they have already identified several pregnant females.
Monk seals usually give birth between February and July with births peaking in the months of April, May and June.

Unfortunately, I was shooting into the sun. I had to 'hide' in order to shoot without disturbing the seals.

Hawaiian Monk Seal and Pup, June, 2008

Birds, Winged-Ones

Creatures with Spikes : Sea urchins skin has hard, chalky plates, and is called the test or skeleton. The spines that radiate from the body are used for protection, for moving, and for trapping drifting algae to eat. Among the spines are five paired rows of tiny tube feet with suckers that help with movement, capturing food, and holding onto the seafloor.

The Porcupine Fish is poisonous - and just plain dangerous - ouch!

Porcupinefish suck up water to scare predators. The thick, leathery skin of porcupinefish is covered by scales that have been modified into spines. They are extended when the porcupinefish gulps down water to puff out and sticks a hungry predator.
After the frightened predator swims away, the porcupinefish lets loose all the water inside its body, getting back to its normal shape and size.

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Creatures with Spikes

Peacock & Flamingo : Peafowl: Peacocks, Peahens, & Peachicks living at Waimea Botanical Gardens, O'ahu, Hawai'i

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Peacock & Flamingo

Metamorphosis of a Monarch Butterfly : Monarchs are found throughout the world, but they probably originated in the Americas. Those living here probably found their way to Hawai'i by hanging onto ships riggings.
During my first winter in Hawai'i, I was thrilled to find a Crown Flower tree next to my house because the Crown Flower tree is part of the milkweed family, and milk-weedy plants are the nourishment Monarchs need.
One day I noticed a cute plump green caterpillar chomping on the leaves of my tree, so I grabbed my camera so I could document the birth of a Monarch Butterfly in my yard on Sunset Point.

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Metamorphosis of a Monarch Butterfly

Bunny rabbits : Sweet little bunny rabbits

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4-Legged Friends

Colorful Insects : Insects, aka Bugs are difficult to photograph, but they're fascinating to watch

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Colorful Insects

Caterpillar to Chrysalis : many many shots of a Monarch Caterpillar and its Metamorphosis into a Chrysalis

Unfortunately, I missed its metamorphosis from chrysalis into a butterfly, got there afterwards, hoping to find another caterpiller to 'raise'.

Learn the SCIENCE of the **Metamorphosis of Caterpillars

Caterpillar to Chrysalis

many many shots of a Monarch Caterpillar and its Metamorphosis into a ...

Updated: Jan 09, 2010 6:08am PST

Seadragons & Cousins : Leafy Seadragons and Weedy Seadragons are cousins of the Seahorse. Leafy Seadragons are the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen.

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Seadragons & Cousins

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