A Wanderer, Wandering

Home for my photos. All photographs posted here were taken by me - kckeiko. If you choose to reblog (NOT repost), please do not remove the source credits or my text. Thanks. Photos by others (not taken by me) are reblogged on my scrapbook tumblr: floating-turtleberries

[kckeiko]

Manu-o-Kū

[kckeiko]

Aloha, Kaiwi and ‘Ānela

(Kaiwi finished weaning her pup early this past week and left the beach. Soon afterwards, NOAA relocated the pup to a new, safer location away from people. Her pup, a female, was named ‘Ānela ‘Aulanialā by students from a local school. Her name translates to sunset angel - she was born at sunset and she was very close to her mum. The top photo was taken the day after ‘Ānela was born. The middle photo of Kaiwi (left) and ‘Ānela (right) and the bottom photo of ‘Ānela were taken this past Monday (‘Ānela at 6 weeks). I am really missing seeing the two of them at the beach! | You can read the news story and see photos about ‘Ānela's move here.)

[kckeiko]

Kaiwi and Pup - 5 weeks

(It has been a wonderful thing to stop by Kaimana Beach during my morning walk and look in on Kaiwi and her pup for the last 5 weeks. Pup is fast approaching the time when he will stop weaning (between 5-7 weeks) and Kaiwi will leave so pup can learn independence. NOAA will most likely move pup to a more secluded beach so there will be less chance of idiots human interference. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the remaining days of seeing Kaiwi and pup together. | Photos taken with a telephoto lens from behind the barrier. | news article here)

[kckeiko]

Kaiwi's Pup - Mid May 2026

(The pup has grown so much since birth! They're still staying on Kaimana Beach (much to the grumblings of visitors who have lost their beach access - it's a simple 20 minute walk to Waikīkī Beach...) and have been joined a few times by other monk seals. Kaiwi is a very vigilant and protective mama - some of the other seals have been allowed to stay but others were chased away. | These photos were taken when pup was 3 weeks old (now 4 weeks) with a zoom lens from behind the barrier.

[kckeiko]

Happy Aloha Friday! 🤙🏽

(Belle wishes a happy weekend to everyone! She's off to the office to spread some pup joy and see if she can sneak treats off humans. 😄)

[kckeiko]

For @sharonbphotos and @trishamaeva and anyone else interested - they arrested the piece of garbage person who hurled rocks at Lani, the monk seal, on Maui Island. Article. I hope they throw the book at him. 😡

[kckeiko]

Kaiwi and Pup

(Kaiwi the monk seal gave birth to a pup this past Sunday (photos were taken Monday evening)! Kaiwi is a 15 year old monk seal and this is her seventh pup. It's also the second time she's used this beach - Kaimana Beach - as her birthing beach. At the time the photos were taken, the beach was only partially closed (2nd to last photo, Kaiwi and pup are near the water at the far end) but it's now completely off-limits to humans. Hawaiian Monk Seals | ‘īlio holo i ka uaua | Neomonachus schauinslandi are endangered and fiercely protected. You can read more about Kaiwi and pup here and monk seals in general here.)

[kckeiko]

Lānai Bird

(The birds have been showing up on the lānai more often as the weather steadily warms. We had three pop up and then argue amongst themselves and fly off, return, fly off, a new one or two appear and fly off. This little house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) was the only one who stayed long enough to pose for the camera.)

[kckeiko]

Scenes From a Recent Walk

(Happy Aloha Friday! 🤙🏽🏄🏻 A good weekend to all)

[kckeiko]

Bee Flower

(It's been awhile since I've been able to take any good bee and flower photos.

[kckeiko]

Another Sign of Spring

(The plumeria (plumeria spp) are in bloom. Also the ‘ulu (breadfruit, Artocarpus altilis) trees are bearing fruit. Now that the Kona lows seem to all be past us, hopefully we'll see some steady warmth and blue skies. Wish you all a good week.)

[kckeiko]

Ducklings

(More photos of the recent ducklings. In the 2nd photo, it looks as if the ducklings are egging on their lone sibling to go into the water.)

[kckeiko]

Calm Before the Storm

(Last night's sunset was beautiful and most likely the last one we'll see for a few days. We've another Kona low storm incoming tonight - the third one this winter when we've yet to dry out and recover from the last two. Hoping it won't be too bad or last very long...)

[kckeiko]

Spring Time

(The baby ducks have made their appearance - taken at the waterfalls area outside Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort, Waikīkī. Hopefully, they'll stay safe from the upcoming third round of Kona low rain....)

[kckeiko]

"Blood Moon" Total Lunar Eclipse | 03-03-26

(We were lucky to be able to see the lunar eclipse here in Hawai‘i. The Bishop Museum hosted a free eclipse watch on their grounds with telescopes and scientists to explain what was happening. It was a fun night, even if it was very late - the total eclipse didn't occur until well past 1am.)

[kckeiko]

Oliver joined his sister a few weeks ago. The house feels empty with just Belle. But the kits lived long (17 for Kiki, 18 for Oliver) and happy lives filled with mischief and love. So much love. ❤️

[kckeiko]

New Manu-o-Kū Baby!

(We spotted a new Manu-o-Kū baby in the same tree as the last one. He's just beginning to lose his grey feathers. You can see photos of the past baby here. You can read more about the bird here.