Just down the beach from where we are staying there is a marshland behind the dunes. When Maui was first being settled they put the airstrip here, but soon discovered that it was a very windy spot and not really suitable for planes landing and taking off. Now it is a bird sanctuary, a much better use for it I think. There has been a lot of rain this winter (or what they call winter here) and the water was high in the marsh, and was threatening the highway that runs through it. So the other morning the environmental people were out digging a trench to drain the marsh. Or rather this volunteer fisherman was doing most of the digging.
Apparently his interest is in letting the small fish that have been trapped in the marsh out into the ocean, as they will attract bigger fish in to eat. As you can see this is literally a small trench made with a hoe. When we returned later in the day to check it out the trench looked like this.\
The water is dumping out into the ocean at a great rate! The marsh is home to many birds and we are having a good time checking them all out. We heard that the Hawaiian Goose, or Nene, had been sighted in the marsh. Normally it is only found on the dormant volcano, Haleakala. Well we were thrilled to glimpse the Nene in the marsh yesterday afternoon.
And the next thrilling site for yesterday was our first view of turtles through the surf. And I got a fantastic photo!
Apparently his interest is in letting the small fish that have been trapped in the marsh out into the ocean, as they will attract bigger fish in to eat. As you can see this is literally a small trench made with a hoe. When we returned later in the day to check it out the trench looked like this.\
The water is dumping out into the ocean at a great rate! The marsh is home to many birds and we are having a good time checking them all out. We heard that the Hawaiian Goose, or Nene, had been sighted in the marsh. Normally it is only found on the dormant volcano, Haleakala. Well we were thrilled to glimpse the Nene in the marsh yesterday afternoon.
Other excitement from yesterday was going out whale watching. The whales here are humpbacks who come here to give birth and to breed. The rest of the year they live in Alaskan waters and I have seen them there, but never in the numbers that they are visible here. My photos are rather pathetic, so I'll only show you one. We saw a "competition" of whales. This is when two or more males fight over a female. Our boat got "mugged" by a competition. Very thrilling to see these creatures so close up.
That was enough excitement for one day!
Janet
Wow, those photos are great. Enjoy the sun, sand and surf, as the saying goes.
ReplyDeleteOH I can relate to the small trench widening into a great big opening as that is what happens here at our river mouth too...
ReplyDeleteHow exciting see the whales and turtles.. great memories...
And, Janet, I missed the most important words in your title today. Happy, Happy Birthday, with heaps of good wishes, hoping it was a fun day. Fondest greetings from not so far away from where you are right now.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the tut=rtle picture!! How lovely to see whales too and that goose. What an exciting day. xx
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Birthday greetings too Janet. xx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see all those creatures up close. Happy belated birthday to you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Hawaii is incredible, isn't it? I was just calculating how long it had been since I had visited Oahu....and it certainly dates me to say it was nearly 47 years ago! Hope you are having a lovely time.....
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Janet and what a wonderful way to spend this special day with so many great adventures.
ReplyDeletewow Janet amazing pics,such an interesting post,happy birthday to you.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics of your adventures!
ReplyDeleteLove the turtle pic in the surf, very quick to get that one.
Belated birthday wishes too