Category Archives: Nature

Adventures over the Misty Mountains

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

Now I understand, Frodo. No wonder your Fellowship would rather risk the Mines of Moria than the extreme weather over the Misty Mountains. This prolonged stretch of heavy rain and thunderstorms has curtailed many a hiking excursion, but this weekend … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Philippine Flying Lemur

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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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Movie Review: African Cats

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #12: Cyanea hirtella

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

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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Snapshot: Pe’ahi

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

I really need to take some time from hiking and reading scientific literature to learn how to take better pictures.  Anyway, here is one of my better compositions. Pe’ahi (Microsorum spectrum) is a cute little fern with neat deltate fronds … Continue reading →

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