Category Archives: Nature

Snapshot: My first Megapode

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Sebastian Marquez

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 →

Posted in Animals | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Celebration of Hawaiian Forest Birds

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Sebastian Marquez

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 →

Posted in Natural History | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Two lined Coral Snake of Mt. Mansilawit

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Sebastian Marquez

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 →

Posted in Animals | Tagged | Leave a comment

Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #44 Cyanea pinnatifida

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Sebastian Marquez

Cyanea pinnatifida

Posted in Botany | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Let’s talk about: Hibiscadelphus

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Sebastian Marquez

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 →

Posted in Botany | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Kaka of Maungatautauri

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Sebastian Marquez

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 →

Posted in Nature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #43 Lobelia oahuensis

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

Lobelia oahuensis

Posted in Botany | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Luzon Giant Cloud Rat

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

I just got back from a trip to Japan a few days ago and I was pleasantly surprised by the Kobe Animal Kingdom. It deserves a longer post on it’s own but for now I really wanted to highlight one … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Snapshot: Bacopa

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

Areas of frequent washouts are prime habitat for weedy, ruderal species. These areas of persistent disturbance are highly susceptible to colonization by non-native species here in Hawai`i. Most stream and canals here in the state are filled with some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany | Tagged | Leave a comment

Snapshot: A path to native forests

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

How can a tiny seedling bring me so much joy? Last week, I was clearing around the base of several large olapa trees when I came across this little guy. Almost a decade ago, I did a post on identifying … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany | Tagged | Leave a comment