Son, You're on your own.         A few days ago Sandra and I moved our flag from Casa Ono to the chilly PNW.  Hard by the bend in the Columbia River, we set about doing those domestic things one does when they move, in the process developing a deep seated animosity towards the bureaucratic BS associated with Verison internet.  I'm convinced it would be easier to buy a car than complete this internet transaction.     Yesterday, we set all that aside and headed up to Dougan Falls for some butterfly watching.  There are a c ..read more

Our resident pair of Saddlebacks swam by. April 2024     Its springtime at Kahalu'u.  One can tell because the girls are all wearing their short summer dresses.  No.  Wait a minute.  This is Hawaii and the dress code at the beach doesn't change, be it January or July.  The way I can tell is that the water is warmer.  And this was the first day when I didn't have to wear my neoprene vest.  Springtime means freedom!     So Sandra dropped me off and went in search of tombo.  I entered a very shallow bay through a throng of ..read more

One of our favorite movies, A Fish Called Wanda, features Kevin Kline.   In this story, about a jewel theft,  Kevin associates with a star studded cast.  Jamie Lee Curtis as the woman holding the plot together, Michael Palin as Ken, the get away driver, and John Cleese as the barrister for the accused. And what do the English eat with chips?     Kevin plays Otto, a demented thug.  He drives Jamie wild with desire by speaking Italian...Mussolini, spaghetti Milanense...  And towards the end of the movie he tortures KaKaKa  Ken, the getaway d ..read more

    Arizona Sister, Utah August 2022      Over many years of watching animals, I have been lucky enough to be associated with three superb field biologists,  which might in two of the cases be revised to animal finders.  These guys are able to see a bird or a fish where the average mortal sees only a bush or a rock. Mike Van Ronzelen has for a few years now been watching birds in the St. Peter's Cloud Forest.  I trust he is seeing some worthy birds on a daily basis.  Peter is, of course, still around and you can see his pictures ..read more

    There has been a hiatus in blogs for which I apologize.  The weather has been cool, making a dip in the ocean unnecessary from the standpoint of personal comfort, but that's no excuse. If there is an excuse, it has to to do with the Keiki Museum.   Jyness documents the butterfly installation    photo SKG     Yesterday, March 14th, Pi Day to those interested in circular geometry, welcomed the opening of a second museum.  The museum in Kailua, where my complete set of reef fish swim happily above the rampaging toddlers, ma ..read more

    Pine Trees is well known to those of us who live in Kailua Kona, if only by name.  Since time immemorial it has been one of the renowned surf breaks here in the land of King Kamehameha.  While Pine Trees is a little out of town, the other two, Kona Bali Kai and Lyman's are one mile straight down the hill from Casa Ono.  In fact, one of the criteria we use when deciding if it is a good day for snorkeling is to look down on the latter from our lanai.; if there are a bunch of surfers at Lyman's, maybe it isn't such a hot day for snorkeling.     &nb ..read more

 As you know, I have long regarded Mahukona as one of the best spots on the Kona coast to watch fish.  The entry is reliable, the water clear and it has been home to some species seldom seen elsewhere. Gone are  the days when the  Blacklip was found at Mahukona     A few days ago I snorkeled there for an hour with our friend Peter.  Both Sandra and Marla are currently hors de combat, vids a vis snorkeling,  so it was just us guys in the sea.     The water was clear and not as cold as I feared, but almost immediately I began wonde ..read more

    The day after the Superbowl, while Taylor Swift was (presumably) experiencing the best part of a tight end, the Kona Coast was blessed with a break in the relentless winter swell.  Making the most of this opportunity, I had Sandra drop me off at the pier while she went shopping for dungarees.  While there were a gazillion people on their collective way out of  Lost Wages, the tourists here in the land of swaying coco palms weren't going anywhere, except to the beach, of course.  Female Pearl Wrasse sans Coral, Kailua Pier, February 2024  &nb ..read more

    This week we caught a pause in the winter swell and took a quick dip at Kahalu'u.  In the pavilion, Sandra and I encountered the redoubtable Kathleen Clark, who verified that we weren't crazy (or lazy) and, if fact, the surf had been too high to afford acceptable snorkeling conditions for several weeks.  After a pleasant chat, I hit the cool, clear waters of the bay.  Even at this early hour, 0830, there were a few other brave souls snorkeling. What nature of beast is living (or not) at K Bay     I made my way into a moderate current a ..read more

"It is our most modestly priced receptacle."   The snorkeling in Kona had been uninspiring  after the holidays.  And then the surf came up.  Beaches were closed from La Jolla to Leo Carillo.  Well, those beaches were gleaned from Donny's eulogy near the end of the Big Lebowski. Part of the fun was the mental image of Steve Buscemi surfing.  And, of course, when Jeffrey Lebowski gets  a coating of Donny's ashes you just about fall out of your chair.  Especially if you've had too many White Russians.    But seriously, just yesterday ever ..read more