Plants and Flowers - #Kauai, #Hawaii - #SaturdaySnapshots

Continuing with our recent trip to Kauai, today I'm posting pictures of plants and flowers from that beautiful island. Even though a few springtime bulbs are beginning to emerge at home in the Pacific Northwest, it was such a pleasure to see so many things in bloom during our vacation. I'll do my best to identify the flora I photographed.
(Click on photos for an even closer look.)

I think this could be Pandanus tectorius, AKA "screw pine" although it
looks nothing like a pine or a screw! Several of these small trees were planted on the grounds of the resort where we stayed. The fruit is about eight inches in diameter.

Hibiscus everywhere in every color imaginable.

Clusia rosea AKA "signature tree" or "autograph tree." People scratch love notes, messages, etc., on the tree's rubbery leaves where they stay for months. We had some of these rugged trees in our yard when we lived in Miami. The autographs don't seem to harm them.

Codiaeum variegatum AKA "croton" - The sap from these plants can be toxic,
but they sure are striking. They formed a hedge along one side of our home in Miami. It was fun to see familiar (and unfamiliar) tropical plants.

I haven't been able to identify this plant. Some kind of lily?

It's obvious where the Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) got its name.
This is the only one I saw in bloom during our trip.

I started to include photos of palm trees, but there are too many varieties. Maybe next week...

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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Kilauea #Lighthouse, #Kauai, Hawaii - #SaturdaySnapshots

One of the most interesting places we visited on Kauai was also about the windiest place I've ever been. A docent who volunteered on the grounds offered to take our picture, which was nice, but we both felt as if our hair was standing on end and our clothes were about to be ripped from our bodies. Everyone said the strong winds were very unusual. They were definitely unusual for me! The views from the point were dramatic, however, and well worth the windy buffeting. 
[Click on photos to enlarge.]

The lighthouse became operational in 1913. It was decommissioned in 1976 and a three-year restoration was completed in 2013.

The lighthouse is located within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.

I zoomed in a little to capture waves crashing against the cliffs.
The seas all around us roared and churned. Those white spots on the hillside are birds.

Even the birds were having a hard time with the wind.

Until I saw this picture, I didn't realize how dorky I looked
in my black sneakers and socks. Oh, well. What the heck.
I did a lot of walking that day, and my feet were comfortable.
The lighthouse interior was not accessible.

We were told that whales were probably in the area. It was the right time of year. However, with the white-capped waves, we couldn't distinguish a whale spout from spray from the breakers! Our resort was in Princeville, and the lighthouse was only about seven miles down Highway 56.

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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Beaches - #Kauai, #Hawaii - #SaturdaySnapshots

Recently my husband and I spent six days and five nights in beautiful Kauai, Hawaii. For the next several weeks I'll feature photos from our vacation.

Today's subject is Kauai's beaches. Having spent many childhood vacations at Padre Island and Port Aransas on the Texas Gulf Coast, I'm accustomed to those gentle waves and warm shallow waters.  Kauai's breakers are much more dramatic. They roar, smash into rocks, surge toward the shore, and send clouds of spray skyward. I love that! 

The photos below were taken on the eastern half of the island. We stayed in Princeville on the northern shore of Kauai and explored up and down the coast.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Anahola Beach Park

Nice paved walking trail overlooking 
this section of beach.

Spouting Horn Park, near Koloa

View from the grounds of our resort.
I believe that's Kalihiwai Bay.

We had hoped for sunny skies, an escape from the rainy Pacific Northwest. That's not the way things worked out. However, even though rain fell almost every day during our vacation, we ignored the weather and had a great time.

Click on the + or - to enlarge or shrink the map.

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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