Category Archives: Nature

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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`O`opu of Limahuli Stream

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

For as much as Hawai`i is known for rainforests and waterfalls, freshwater streams seem surprisingly depauperate compared to continental ecosystems. They like many other native Hawaiian habitats are imperilled, making this encounter with a fairly healthy stream with native fish … Continue reading →

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #42 Cyanea coriacea

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

Cyanea coriacea Hawaiian name: Haha Conservation status: Apparently secure Distribution: Kaua`i Date photographed: 6/29/24 Identification: : Form– Unbranched or sparingly branched shrubs 2.5-3 m tall Leaves– oblong to oblanceolate, blades 20-38 cm long, 6-12 cm wide, glabrous Flower– calyx lobes dentiform, … Continue reading →

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Grackles and spectres of Ole Owyhee

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

Many species of grackles (Qusicalus spp) have adapted fairly well to the human landscape. I came across them in large numbers in and around San Antonio a few years back. Here on my trip to Puerto Rico it was no … Continue reading →

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More on Olonā

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

While we’ve been lucky to have an intimate knowledge with olonā, there is so much more to this plant that I’m not familiar with, especially culturally. I’ve been lucky to be part of a project to bring more attention to … Continue reading →

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Taxa that break my brain

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

First of please check out Gabriel Ugueto’s artwork. He is an amazing paleoartist that brings to life many obscure taxa one hardly finds quality images of. You can check out his twitter here and his facebook page here I made … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Pinao

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

Hawaiian damselflies are another neat radiation of invertebrates here in Hawai`i. They evolved to exploit some niches and habitats that aren’t readily available to them elsewhere. Most damselfly elswhere in the world are aquatic, but some occupy other niches here. … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Hinahina

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Sebastian Marquez

Hinahina (Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum) is a coastal plant that one can still come across fairly readily in Hawai`i. Many populations have dense silky pubesence, but this varies. The population that I saw at Pounder’s did not have much pubesence; … Continue reading →

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