Kauai style graffiti.
Paddling out to catch a wave.
Caught one.
Taking a break from the surf.
More Kauai graffiti, oh those tourists.
Looking for lunch.
Cactus
Pools at Salt Pond.
Observing the texture of the cocks comb.
Unusual plant.
Quarrel in the parking lot.
Paddling with man's best friend.
Spear fisherman going to get the poke.
To see the world from a different perspective I highly recommend getting out and to major sight-seeing points before sunrise.
Anticipation of sunrise from the coast of Poipu, looking toward Oahu.
When you arrive this early you usually always have the vistas all to yourself and the lighting is spectacular for photography.
The bright orange line is the sun just starting to rise over Oahu.
This morning my destination was the Poipu coast. I love to do my morning hike here always with my camera in tow.
The sun glows from Poipu.
I took the wheel of the Acura at 6:10 am so I would be sure not to miss the sunrise. On arrival the only other person I encountered was a lone fisherman.
Sunrise anticipation.
As the sun began to rise a few tourists climbed to secure the best views of the sunrise, I had my location secured. A prime view of the exact spot where the sun could be seen rising directly over Oahu.
Hint of sunrise over Oahu.
My favorite time.
The sunrise was so intense it was hard to look at.
So sad. What is Superbowl Sunday without guacamole. I guess we’ll do as the locals do and have ahi poke. There is hope in sight for future avocado as the trees are in bloom and getting ready to set their luscious buttery fruit.
The avocado trees are robust with flowers.
I say hooray, for the next crop of future guacamole.
Our deck is visited frequently by bright green anoles. I think this little guy is just as cute as the Geico Gecko.
Holy anole.
We have no guacamole but we do have green anole.
Bright green anole on the deck in Kalaheo.
Does this anole wonder who will triumph, the Colts or the Saints. I think he's just looking for dinner.
Just a sliver of morning light.
A few nights ago we experienced our coldest night here on the island of Kauai. Our usual most comfortable temperatures range between about 65 degrees at night to 82 degrees during the day. We were surprised when the news contained hypothermia warnings and the temp dropped all the way down to 61 degrees. We even used 2 blankets. I think we’re getting soft.
Our last full moon here in Kalaheo.
The big sky on our coldest morning in Kauai.
This photo was taken by photographer Sean Taylor. It's my New York home sweet home. Now that's what I call cold.
The houses here do not have any source of heat and most don’t have a/c either. Most seem to be built with only 2×4 wall construction and have no insulation. It seems they have no need for heat or insulation.I did a little research and found the lowest temperature ever recorded here was 50 degrees in 1969.
Cardinal on our deck in Kalaheo.
Cattle egret surrounded by the blue sky and orange flowers watches us play golf.
Female cardinal, Kauai style.
Fish at the Salt Pond.
Hawaiian Stilts on a hunt at the Salt Pond.
I think he looks like Homer Simpson.
Strutting his stuff while his girl looks on.
Sunbathing Kauai style.
Popping up to catch his breath.
Honu dines on scrumptious sea weed in the surf.
The endangered Nene Goose finds refuge in Kauai.
Please note all images can be double clicked to zoom in for a close-up look.
Cliff side on my daily morning walk along the coast of Poipu
These and many other arches can be found on the walk west of the Hyatt.
The resorts along the ocean have a concrete pathway planted with beautiful flowers and trees, this lily was among them.
Looking down off the cliffs toward Shipwreck Beach.
Getting out for my walk at sunrise allows me to catch the morning dew on the lily.
Along the shore of Poipu these odd creatures cling to the rock battered by surf.
rainbow over the mango tree
I’m still here in Kauai. Trying my best to live frugally and have a great time while I do. I’m going to garage sales every Saturday but I need very little now as I have our home pretty well stocked.
frayed banana-leaf sunset
We really enjoy our deck out back that gives us a view of the mountains and the sea, but plants make it even better. I search the garage sales now for containers for our on deck garden. We love having flowers and plants all around. Inside I have water-filled bottles along a shelf by the ceiling with vines cascading down and a varying assortment of ever changing cut flower arrangements.
vines cascade wall
cut flowers, bougainvillea and red ti leaves
On the deck we’ve made a nice dish garden with rose flowered impatients and polka-dot plants. Some snake plants, the coconut palm, variegated arrowheads, vinca, deep red lettuce and a tomato plant round out our deck garden now, but Chris wants more flowers.
chris' vinca
dish garden
variegated arrowheads
The deck is also a great place for bird watching. The white cattle egrets and red junglefowl make a strong presence. Red crested cardinals, zebra doves, and the white-rumped shama frequent our deck side trees and delight us daily with cooing and song.
red crested cardinal
red junglefowl, kauai rooster
morning from the deck looking to Poipu
morning from our deck
promise of a new day
waking up to wonderful
I can’t help but to share my pictures from my favorite time of my day.
We’ve been whale watching over the past several days. They have finally arrived in our area of Kauai. We love it. We parked above Glass Beach by the shearwater release site to view them with sundaes from Mickey D’s. A grand excursion that only costs 2 bucks for 2. Life is good. This is the first time in my life I have ever seen whales.
Sunrise in Kalaheo
I’m loving it. No good whale pictures yet I was too absorbed with just taking in the sight of them. We’ve come across several pods of humpbacks. I can watch them for hours. The first thing that is visible is the large spout from where they breathe. I find if I keep watching after they spout, many times they breach the water. What a sight to behold. We also went on a hike west of the Salt Pond County Park along the coast and found other great whale watching opportunities. Hiking about one mile brought us to a high elevation rocky coast where the whales were well visualized, but I was without camera. This area was beautiful and private, perfect for an afternoon of whale observation. Hopefully photographs of whales are soon to come. Maybe next time I’ll bring my camera.
Another of my photos was featured in the Garden Island News on January 12th 2010, I feel very privileged.
our new garden, just planted
I am currently harvesting tomatoes, avocados, grapefruit, key lime, oranges, figs and Hawaiian hot peppers.
Bowl of grapefruit harvested, cleaned chilled and ready to nourish and refresh.
Soon the lettuce, arugula and papaya will be ready. I can’t wait.
marauder caught on night time camera
lettuce seedlings going in tomorrow, expecting lettuce in 2 weeks, hooray
Today I had the honor of having one of my photos printed in the local newspaper, The Garden Island News. On the coaxing of my favorite Kauaian friend I submitted the images that she selected, and voila. 3 days later I’m featured in the paper.
On the Outside Looking In....Rene makes the news....
I also have high hopes of being honored again as I received the following email:
Aloha, Rene! Thank you for the submission of photos. Your images are beautiful. We are planning to use the cattle egret in tomorrow’s paper (Friday, Jan. 8 edition). I forwarded your e-mail to the editor (Nathan Eagle) so more may be used in the future, as space allows. Mahalo for sharing your art with our readers … and please thank your friend, too, for encouraging you to send them in!
Thanks again,
Viviane Stein
(paginator)
beautiful giant begonias, so big like none I've ever seen before
Mahalo, Connie and Viviane …..I am honored.
Odd Brown Flower...at Kukuiolono Golf Course
Clouds Over Kalaheo
welcome new year.....another great sunrise.....I wake up every morning to see the sunrise, brew some coffee and try to get a photograph of the wild pigs. I'm just not quick enough with the camera. No wild pig pictures yet.......
Camp-out Hawaiian style. I found this under a cliff facing the Pacific Ocean while hiking along the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail. Prime Hawaiian real estate, ocean-front, great view and privacy. The frugal travelers lodging delight.
rose petals...cliff side coast by Poipu. I don't know why the rose petals were there. I liked their contrast with the rugged background.
So hazy I could barely see the water. Could this be vog?
Petroglyph, found in the limestone on the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail. Is it really ancient, or was I scammed.
i love early morning
Doves perch in a dead tree in Kalaheo.
Exposed reef below the cliffs east of shipwreck beach. I stood at the edge of a cliff to get this photograph. It was beautiful the picture doesn't do it justice.
Bird on the deck railing from my window.
Sunlight thought the palms at Shipwreck Beach, Poipu.
This is sunrise January 4th, but each and everyone is spectacular.
This was the 2010 New Years Eve blue moon observed from Kalaheo, under the influence of margaritas.
Trio of shore birds at Barking Sands.
Plumeria, the floral inspiration for leis.
People all around Kauai always seem so happy. She strolls the beach singing and strumming the ukulele.
