Hawai’i has many unique environments, and that has allowed for many unique adaptations. The larvae of E. orichloris, a moth species common to Kaua’i, Hawai’i, O’ahu, Maui, and Lana’i, has developed two abdominal appendages that act like triggers allowing for a backward motion for them to collect an prey with it’s forearms. The caterpillar eats a small portion of the leave, tucks itself inside the separation, and waits for it’s prey.

‘Auku’u, the Black-Crowned Night Heron, typically stands 26 inches tall with a wing span of 45inches. This bird is showing the brown and white speckled plumage of a juvenile bird. It was found hunting at the fish ponds at Honaunau. It was missing one foot up to the first joint, but appeared to be successfully hunting in the fishponds. I’m on the look out for an adult Black-Crowned Night-Heron. I’ve seen them often by the large pond next to the King Shops in Waikoloa, but I’ve never a camera with me when I see them.

Ice Cream Bean Inga edulis is a fruit native to South America. It belongs to the family Fabaceae, the legume family. It’s seed pods are made of tough outer layer, and can grow to over a meter in length.

Opening the seed pod reveals a soft white cotton texture pulp surrounding each seed. The pulp has a sweet slightly vanilla taste.

The ice cream bean has quickly become one of my new favorite fruit finds. It’s a little odd at first, but very yummy. I saved a few of the seeds for planting. They have started to sprout, and I hope one of them makes it to adulthood.

The Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a common creature encountered around my home. Luckily, I have only been provided a donation a few times. The wind does a good job at keeping them in certain locations. I find it interesting that they only have a life-time flying radius of 200 yards. Fascinating creatures.