Author Archives: Sebastian Marquez

Snapshot: My first Megapode

Megapodes are a cool radiation of galliformes centered around Australia and spreading up to the Philippines in the west and into parts of Polynesia in the east. Unfortunately many insular Pacific forms went extinct. So while during super touristy things … Continue reading

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Native birds around Perth

Living in Hawaii gives me a certain immediacy when it comes to native biota. Where I’m from, we have seen so much loss. Traveling lets me appreciate how other places are handling modern challenges for their plants and animals. So … Continue reading

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The Quokka of Rottnest Island

I started this blog 15 years ago with a basic goal in mind: what would the world look like if conservation was a success? How are we interacting with the healthy population of species that are now our next door … Continue reading

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A Celebration of Hawaiian Forest Birds

The last time I talked about Bishop Museum on this blog was that in-between phase where I wasn’t really posting often. At the time, they had put on display a rare specimen of kioea and I had commented on how … Continue reading

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Macaques in the Philippines

I’m still here in the Philippines enjoying my time with friends and family. I did want to highlight another member of the Philippine fauna. 3 lineages of Primates are found in the Philippines. While there’s us humans obviously, there is … Continue reading

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Two lined Coral Snake of Mt. Mansilawit

Currently back in the motherlands. Was exploring Palawan when we came across a very pleasant surprise. Our tour guide was leading up the short (but muggy!) hike up Mt. Mansilawit outside of El Nido, when she stopped dead in her … Continue reading

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #44 Cyanea pinnatifida

Cyanea pinnatifida

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Let’s talk about: Hibiscadelphus

One of the many plants that I was happy to engage with from my trip to Limahuli last year was this guy: Hau kuahiwi (Hibiscadelphus distans). And I figure now would be a good a time as any to talk … Continue reading

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Kobe Animal Kingdom

Sometimes there is magic in the air. And while a lot of that comes from one’s own perspective, it is a neat feeling whenever it hits you. On our second trip to Japan, my wife and I checked out the … Continue reading

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The Kaka of Maungatautauri

Here’s another post from our trip to New Zealand in 2019. My wife and I made a point to check out Sanctuary Mountain, the wildlife reserve situated on Maungatautauri, a dormant volcano just outside Hamilton on the North Island. It … Continue reading

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