Ontario birder returns from Oahu

[Bird Brain]

Hi everyone.  I just returned last night from vacation in Oahu, Hawaii - there since May 22nd.  So many birds, butterflies, dragonflies, fish and Mongoose!  Felt like posting about one particular bird sighting at Waimea Valley/Falls - an adult Moorhen with tiny baby that looked exactly like the parent but mini version ("mini Moorhen", haha).  SO cute!  

[Bird Brain]

Sightings:

Birds:

Black Swan
Black-crowned Night Heron
Cattle Egret
Common Myna
Common Waxbill
House Finch
House Sparrow
Japanese White-eye
Mallard
Moorhen with baby
Red-crested Cardinal
Red-vented Bulbul
Rock Dove
Shama Thrush (aka White-Rumped Shama)
Spotted Dove (aka Lace-necked Dove)
White Tern (aka Fairy Tern)
Yellow-fronted Canary
Zebra Dove

Butterflies:

Cabbage White x 12
Gulf Fritilary x 6
Large Orange Sulphur x 4
Monarch x 2
Western Pygmy Blue x 1

Dragonflies:

Unknown -

1.  Large, bulky, bright blue/green
2.  Large, bulky, bright red

Fish:

Yellow Tang

Wildlife:

Mongoose x 2
Sea Turtle x 1

[winz]

Hi Jo-Anne,
Welcome back.  I guess you didn't venture into the mountains for the honeycreepers and other endemics.

[Bird Brain]

Hi Winz.  Thanks.  I certainly didn't bring the nice weather back with me (sunny and +32c).   :shock:  Most of the vacation, I was at Waikiki Beach/Honolulu.  One day, went on the "Majestic Circle Island" tour.  Wow!    Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay, Halona "Blow Hole" Lookout, "From Here To Eternity" Beach Lookout, Nuuanu Pali Lookout & Valley, Byodo-In Temple & Valley, North Shore Surfing Beaches, Waimea Valley and Falls, Dole Visitor Center, etc.  Stopped off at a place called The Shrimp Shack in Punalu'u for lunch.  Excellent vacation - can't wait to go back again one day!

[Hunter]

Sounds like a great trip. Nice sightings as well

[Bird Brain]

Thanks Hunter.  It was excellent!  My 2nd time there (1st time two years ago, 2011).  Still trying to recover from a piece of Oreo Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory!   :lol: :wink:

[JimmyM]

Hi Jo-Anne ,
Welcome home .
Looks like you had a great, enjoyable vacation - taking in the famous sites and getting in some birding as well. How was the weather ? - Lyla and I might go next year at about this time.
Your friend ,
Jim

[winz]

Hi Winz.  Thanks.  I certainly didn't bring the nice weather back with me (sunny and +32c).   :shock:  Most of the vacation, I was at Waikiki Beach/Honolulu.  One day, went on the "Majestic Circle Island" tour.  Wow!    Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay, Halona "Blow Hole" Lookout, "From Here To Eternity" Beach Lookout, Nuuanu Pali Lookout & Valley, Byodo-In Temple & Valley, North Shore Surfing Beaches, Waimea Valley and Falls, Dole Visitor Center, etc.  Stopped off at a place called The Shrimp Shack in Punalu'u for lunch.  Excellent vacation - can't wait to go back again one day!

I was there last year May 26th to June 4th, had great weather also, 24 to 29C every day with a farily strong constant easterly wind about 30kph, a couple of the days there was a little bit of rain "liquid sunshine".

I didn't go on any escorted ground tours.  Tried to go up into the mountains with a guided tour on the last Monday in May but it was Memorial Day and the trails were closed but went out snorkeling, swimming with sea turtles and got to hold a squid.  Tried out ocean kayaking from Kailua beach out to a bird sanctuary with nesting Wedge-tailed Shearwater gulls.. it's tough work kayaking against the wind, but enjoyed exploring the small island (Flat Island). Did you see the wild chickens at the Pali lookout?  I was surprised to see them there.  I've been to Oahu 3 times now.. just want to check out some of the other islands next time.

[Bird Brain]

Hi Jo-Anne ,
Welcome home .
Looks like you had a great, enjoyable vacation - taking in the famous sites and getting in some birding as well. How was the weather ? - Lyla and I might go next year at about this time.
Your friend ,
Jim

Hi Jim.  Thank You for the Welcome home.    Weather was hot, sunny, breezy and +32c.  Beautiful!  Amazed that I actually came home with a light tan instead of sunburn like usual.  Have certainly returned to crappy weather here!   :shock:

[Bird Brain]

I was there last year May 26th to June 4th, had great weather also, 24 to 29C every day with a farily strong constant easterly wind about 30kph, a couple of the days there was a little bit of rain "liquid sunshine".

I didn't go on any escorted ground tours.  Tried to go up into the mountains with a guided tour on the last Monday in May but it was Memorial Day and the trails were closed but went out snorkeling, swimming with sea turtles and got to hold a squid.  Tried out ocean kayaking from Kailua beach out to a bird sanctuary with nesting Wedge-tailed Shearwater gulls.. it's tough work kayaking against the wind, but enjoyed exploring the small island (Flat Island). Did you see the wild chickens at the Pali lookout?  I was surprised to see them there.  I've been to Oahu 3 times now.. just want to check out some of the other islands next time.

Hi Winz.  Did you attend the Friday Night Fireworks at Waikiki Beach?  It's quite an experience sitting with hundreds of people on the beach and watching the beautiful fireworks then everyone walking along the streets afterwards!  Also, the night sky here is truly spectacular!  

On Memorial Day 2013, I watched the Lantern Floating Festival on tv - very emotional! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWnk2N17gu4

That is awesome re: you swimming with sea turtles and holding a squid!  

Yes!  Totally forgot to add wild chickens and roosters at Pali lookout to my bird list.  Also saw some feral cats at this location - someone had put out tins of cat food for them.  

Went for a walk one day alongside the Ala Wai Canal - saw hundreds of (unknown) fish plus lots of people in kayaks and having outrigger races!  

Next time there, would love to go out on a dinner cruise.