Author Archives: Sebastian Marquez

Snapshot: Resilient Manu-O-Ku

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

This strong El Nino pattern has sent an unusually large number of tropical storms toward Hawai`i over the last few weeks. While damaging with serious consequences to vulnerable populations, healthy ones have a better chance of surviving shocks (like weather … Continue reading →

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Hope and Despair

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

I’m not sure what to make of this post. It won’t strike the normal upbeat tone of my typical Studia Mirabilium posts but the severity of the situation must be said. The biota of Kaua`i deserves it…

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Snapshot: Philippine Jade Vine

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

The Philippine Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) is a well known taxa for tropical plant enthusiasts for its spectacular flowers. And as you can see, the unusual hue stands out. It is thought the coloration is due to it being adapted … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Hold the line

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

This may look like an ordinary Clermontia kakeana but it is one that I have been keeping an eye on. It is descended from the last known kakeana from Kuli`ou`ou. It’s flowering too so we are doing what we can … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: A surprising predator

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

Another of our neat native invertebrates that I was able to see at the restoration site was this gorgeous moth. This is one of the native Eupithecia moths. While pretty and fairly sedentary (It cruised on the sheet for at … Continue reading →

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Rebuilding the Rainbow

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

About 2 decades ago, David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton wrote and photographed a book called Remains of a Rainbow which highlighted the amazing but vanishing native biota of the Hawaiian archipelago. I thought the title was quite evocative, conjuring images … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Antipode Island Parakeets

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

A ground dwelling parrot from New Zealand? While I wish I had come across kakapo, I’ll take a close encounter with a cheeky little bird from subantarctic Antipode Island. Little bird is actually a bit of a misnomer, as the … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Japanese Quails

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

Another trip to Japan and more interesting wildlife for me. On the way to a coastal sightseeing area, we came across a small covey of Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica). They were busy scratching for food whilst we took pictures. While … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: The Joy of Nomenclature

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

Yes this is a terrible photo I took a few nights ago. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Orsonwelles spiders are a neat group of endemic linyphiids found here in Hawai`i. Their characteristic horizontal spiderwebs are easily to spot … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Pe`ahi Southern Bretheren

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Sebastian Marquez

My botanical sensibilities have and probably always will be Hawai`i-centric. Seeing congeners of Hawaiian flora elsewhere in the world has fascinated me. A spectacular cousin of our Pe`ahi (Microsorum spectrum) is found in Australia. While it still has the reticulated … Continue reading →

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