The Byodo-In Temple, 2/21/11

According to the handout it "was established on June 7, 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii...and built to represent the mythical phoenix, its wings upheld by pillars of stone." Here is a link for more info

Andy was correct, we were challenged while taking pictures because of the white cloudy sky. I still have not gotten a polarizer, so consequently I spent a lot of time trying to fix these pics.

Maybe this infrared is a better pic.
Notice this gargoyle?


This is Andy.
This bell house "kanetsu-ki-do" has a five foot, three ton brass bell. Visitors can pull back the soft wooden log "shu-moku" to strike the bell (to spread the eternal teachings of Buddha).
Before going to Lanikai Beach in Kailua, we enjoyed a delicious Mexican lunch. Of course, I couldn't resist taking pics of these bottles.
For dinner, Richard, Andy and myself enjoyed a Japanese dinner at Gyotaku in Honolulu. A day well spent on President's Day.

Capturing Water and Nature, 2/17 & 18/11

This surfer is at Point Panic where our Eyes of Hawaii club met for a sunset and moon shoot.

The next day was fun shooting with Richard and Andy.
Laniakea Beach

This is my behind the scene shot. I just added this after seeing the comments regarding "did I get my camera wet?" Thanks Richard.

Click to link to Waimea Falls Park

We stopped at Giovanni's shrimp truck just in time because within 10 minutes, they closed up and drove out. Nothing was left on our garlic shrimp scampi plates, yummmmmy!

At about 9 pm, we stopped here, I think this was Kaaawa. There was no light except for the moon's light. Uggh, but no sweat for Andy. Andy was really patient with me as we took this shot. To get this shot: ISO 400, Aperture F8, Shutter Speed 25 seconds. He also painted the foreground with his flash light. Mahalo (thank you) Andy.

It was a great day!!! It was also Andy's b-day.

2 hours at the zoo, 2/13/11

For me, I feel Gibbons do not want to be photographed. I find them glaring at us or in this case the Gibbons kept swinging around. So voila.

This picture actually surprised me. I took this pic because of the black swan in the foreground with the white spot on its tail. However looking at this pic on my computer, I realized that there was another black swan in the background with the same kind of white bird next to both swans.

Yay, got this Heron in flight.
While waiting for the tigers to come around, us photographers have to shoot something.


Yes, Shun Wah, Erick and I only spent 2 hours here.

Escape to Beauuuutiful Kauai, 1/28-30/11

On Thursday, I left on the last flight for Kauai, therefore my pictures are from 1/28-30/11.

Friday, 1/28...

Although these roosters crow with the dawn of a new day, I don't think they know that. All night long we heard them. Richard's friends rented a home and we really thought a rooster was in our living room, needless to say we did not get a peaceful night sleep.

This one is at Waimea Canyon

As we were driving up to the Canyon, we stopped at this lookout. The larger island in the background is Niihau, not sure if there is a name for the little island to the right.




This is Napali Coast from the south west side, Polihale Beach.

A beautiful way to end the day.
Saturday, 1/30...

Wailua Falls, uggh, I had my telephoto lens so I was unable to get the complete waterfall. I was happy the lighting caught this rainbow.

Kilauea Lighthouse. Due to the renovation that this lighthouse is under a screen covers its lens. Here is a link to its site.

Albatros, across the way, we noticed lots and lots of white things amongst the greenery, turns out they are all albatros.
Ever since Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the chickens are no longer pets but have become feral. We found them everywhere. This rooster is above the Hanalei Valley.

This is Napali Coast from the north west side, Ke`e Beach.



Too funny, I noticed this person apparently sketching this rooster. The rooster appeared obliging and yet seemed anxious to get this over with.
Gotta have shave ice.
Later we came across this rooster on a bicycle handle outside of McDonald's, waiting for its owner. Too funny. Thanks Richard for this pic.

Sunday, 1/30...

This morning, we woke up to rain. Not uncommon for this island. So what do I do to entertain myself. I did a fast shutter speed on this ceiling fan. I later made this pic a black and white.

You know what I did next.
We enjoyed a nice brunch at Gaylords in the Main House of the Kilohana Plantation Estate. We did not do their train tour through its 105 acres. (The home is furnished with lovely crafted wood, this one is made of koa.)
Retro, huh?
The guys attempted golf but no luck ~ the wait time was way too long, but us gals lucked out. We enjoyed visiting the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Lawa`i Valley, near the coast.

Shell ginger

We agreed this plant produces our favorite food, chocolate!

To get a good night sleep, everyone found rum works well! Life is good.