I did a little photography at Hamakua Marsh in Kailua, Oahu, the last couple of days. It is a small wetland bordered on one side by the urban environment of Kailua and the busy Hamakua Drive. I took many of these shots from the parking lot of a biker bar. Despite this, the small marsh is the home to many of Oahu's endemic and resident wetlands birds.
We will start with the most endangered species, the Ae'o or Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni). This endemic species numbers approximately 1,350 individuals throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Next, a species familiar to you on the mainland, although ours is a resident subspecies, The 'Auku'u or Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli)
A male in breeding plumage
Coming in for a landing
Immature bird licks its beak
Immature bird
Mmmmmm.. lunch
Do I need to tell you they eat fish?
This little House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) got in the way of my lens. Obviously not an endemic species.
The next bird is no beauty but they are unique to these islands. This is the 'Alae Ke'oke'o or Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai). They build floating nests of vegetation.
Another endemic Hawaiian wetland bird is the 'Alae'ula or Hawaiian Moorhen. (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis) In Hawaiian mythology the red-beaked "Alae'ula brought fire from the gods to the Hawaiian people.
An older shot taken at Waimea Valley...
I will end with a couple of scenic shots from yesterday eve. Mokolii Island.
Please feel free to post your pooties and woozles or your favorite recent photo. Be good humans.
UPDATE
As long as I have you here I thought I would add a few seabirds...
Red-Footed Booby
Red-Tailed Tropicbird
White-Tailed Tropicbird
Laysan Albatross