Category Archives: Animals

Kahurangi: Missing a friend but happy for the success

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

I was sadden when I heard of the passing of Kahurangi, the only kokako in captivity. While she may be gone her species, and family really, have been making a steady comeback from the brink of extinction.

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Snapshot: Bennett’s Wallabies

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

I was thoroughly impressed with the Australia exhibit at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, CA. It had an automated double-door system and staff to let you know the rules and keep eye on things. Once inside, … Continue reading →

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More Banza Katydids

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

One of our volunteers, Alex, came across this female Banza katydid today. I don’t have the eye for it, last time I saw one was years back when I last posted about our native katydids. I had forgotten how large … Continue reading →

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The time wanderers

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

Right off the bat I’d just like to say the world is a better place with rhinos in it. Rhinos for me are also interesting because they are vestiges of a bygone era; when I look at one, I can’t … Continue reading →

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Overlooked and Underappreciated: O`ahu `Amakihi

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

For folks like me who dream of the fantastic extinct creatures of our recent past, I think we tend to overlook the creatures that are still alive today. I know I sometimes do. For all the marveling we do at … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Philodoria moth

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

I was working up at the site recently when I came upon one of our neat micromoths. This species (possibly Philodoria splendida) uses `Ohi`a Lehua as a host plant. The larva mine the leaves before emerging as these pretty little … Continue reading →

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The Monk Seal babies of Waikiki

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

I had the privilege of seeing the monk seal pups in Waikiki the past few years. Seeing the young seals being raised by their mom adjacent to some of the most highly used shorelines in Hawai`i shows the challenges and … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Patagonian Mara

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Sebastian Marquez

We tend to look at islands like Hawai’i or New Zealand or Madagascar for extreme examples of adaptive radiation. But of course, they are not the only places to see this. Take, for example, this picture I took at the … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Another pinoy bird

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Sebastian Marquez

One of several different species of old world orioles in the Philippines, Black-naped Orioles (Oriolus chinensis) is also native in other parts of Southeast Asia and into China and parts of India. I didn’t see it out in the wild … Continue reading →

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Relatives staying for the Holidays

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Sebastian Marquez

As the holidays fast approach, we must honor those grand traditions of putting up decorations, sending out photos of your “antler and sweater” festooned family, and eating all the delicious holiday meals. Most importantly, we must revel in the sudden … Continue reading →

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