Author Archives: Sebastian Marquez

Snapshot: Philippine Flying Lemur

Here’s a picture I took when I was in Bohol of a captive Philippine Flying Lemur (Cynocephalus volans). They are not usually active during the day but I was lucky enough to capture this guy while he was feeding. Look … Continue reading

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #13: Cyanea truncata

Cyanea truncata Conservation Status: Endangered Distribution: O’ahu (Windward Ko’olau gulches) Date photographed: 4/1/2011 Ease of viewing: Difficult *Identification: Form– Shrubs 0.3-2 m tall; stems unbranched or sparingly branched from base; muricate. Leaves– obovate, blades 22-60 cm long, 10-26 cm wide; … Continue reading

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Snapshot: Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters or ‘Ua’u Kani (Puffinus pacificus) are some of the most common seabirds here in Hawai’i. But seeing them amongst human habitation, well I just had to make a post about it. There are many nesting sites in the … Continue reading

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Movie Review: African Cats

I can’t even count the number of wildlife documentaries I’ve seen over my lifetime. Heck, I was sadden when John Forsythe passed away; he played a big part in my childhood. Not for Dynasty, but for his role as narrator … Continue reading

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Books & Tangents

Tangents are a marvelous thing. Specifically, tangential thoughts and discussions. We’ve all been there, something comes up in discussion that takes the conversation on a completely different track. And, with the internet, that is even easier to do. For instance, … Continue reading

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #12: Cyanea hirtella

Cyanea hirtella Conservation Status: Apparently Secure Distribution: Kaua’i Date photographed: 9/22/2010 Ease of viewing: Easy *Identification: Form– Unbranched or sparingly branched shrubs 1-6 m tall. Leaves– oblanceolate to oblong; blades 10-27 cm, 2-6 cm wide; margins minutely callose-denticulate to callose-serrulate; … Continue reading

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My Favorite Gentian

The far Southeast of O’ahu is known for its surf. Whether it’s Hanauma Bay, Sandy’s, Makapu’u, there are plenty of places to get outside and enjoy the ocean-side of nature. But what of hillsides? Well, there is still a ghostly … Continue reading

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You say gaudichaudiana, I say gaudichaudii

Today’s short post is all about duality. The number two can up for a few plants we saw on today’s hike. Well duality and one pretty native vine.

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The treasures of Hidden Valley

I went with the O’ahu Plant Extinction Prevention folks to help with 2 very endangered plants found on the windward side of the island: Schidea kaalae and Cyanea truncata. We hiked up a ridgeline to Makaua Gulch, or also known colloquially as … Continue reading

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C. angustifolia blowing in the wind

Every hike I go on, I’m always on the lookout for lobeliads on the rare chance that I actually come across one. Over the weekend, I challenged myself by searching the Pia-Niu Valley area specifically for lobeliads with nothing but … Continue reading

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