Beware of cats!

 When feeding birds, they warn you to "keep the cats indoors"...

 However, there is a problem if...

the cats belong to the neighbors!

Cosumnes Preserve

Cosumnes=people of the salmon

Geese and sandhill cranes have very distinctive calls

Cosumnes Preserve is the perfect spot for winter bird watching in the Sacramento region:  geese, ducks, egrets, hawks, and even a few sandhill cranes.

How to avoid power lines (and falling)

We finally had our neighbor's Digger Pine trimmed by professionals to avoid death by pine cone bombs. It was truly amazing to watch the arborist climb and cut and drop branches with great precision. Click on picture to see more.

Oahu Grand Finale

From mauka to makai
After a quick hike to Moanalua to see remnants of development, seven bridges, and petroglyphs, we went up and up to the connected ridge trails: Pu'u O'hia, Manoa Cliff Trail, and Pa'uoa Flats Trail. We saw many great views and some native plants. Brief visit to Pearl Harbor. Click on picture and enjoy. Aloha!

Oahu Five O

Back to makai
Drove up the windward coast to North Shore. Visited Waimea Valley Garden, Shark's Cove, and Turtle Beach. Stopped in Hale'iwa for shaved ice.
Next day, we snorkeled at Haunama Bay---incredible! It was like the Disney World of aquariums. Visited Valley of Temples. Later snorkeled at Lanikai Beach until run-in with jelly fish parts. Click on picture for more.

Oahu 2.34

From makai (beach) to mauka (mountain)

We made our base in Kailua. After an extended kayaking trip to an island bird sanctuary and a practice snorkel on Lanikai Beach swimming with a turtle, we did a brief hike up the Makapu'u Trail.Our biggest hike was on the inter-connected Maunawili contour trails up and down the mountain. We were fortunate to join naturalist John Hall to guide us through the connections. Click on picture for more.

Oahu 1.0

Aloha from Oahu!

Our first few days were spent in urban Honolulu, Waikiki, and the wonderful Lyons Arboretum, Foster Botanical Garden, Zoo, and street scenes (another zoo?). We were fortunate to have an excellent photographer along to document our trails (thanks, Rachel)...more will be revealed as we move from makai (beach) to mauka (mountains). Just click on picture and enjoy.