Our trip continued with rain, though day it started raining less. We headed back up Waimea Canyon in the off chance that we might get to see something and do some hiking. It didn't look good, but we were (foolishly??) optimistic.
Our first stop was the Waimea Canyon overlook. The wind wasn't blasting and it was only sprinkling. The view wasn't so great. This is the view of the 3000' canyon.
Can't see much. Okay, can't see anything. Totally socked in! Boo!
So we headed up further to a 'must hike' trail. Skunked due to the rain.
At the very top, we broke out of the weather! And we got some views. It's hard to tell, but that is a 4000' drop to the ocean in not a very far distance. Pretty spectacular.
I'm wearing my magic shirt. Some guy came up to me on the trip to inform me that I had on a "magic" shirt. Lucky me!
Another view from the top.
Great scenery.
We decided to take off on the hike we really wanted. The second section of the hike went through a swamp where many endemic birds reside. I was very excited to see any of them!
Hiking conditions were less than favorable. I think all the mud in Kauai has silicone in it. It's slick as snot!
We did this for about two miles as the 'fun factor' declined. Lots of slipping, mud, squishing, some mosquitoes. Ick.
We finally turned back - even Dave agreed the fun factor had diminished too much.Lots of fun things to look at on the way out.
The earlier clear view we had to the ocean was starting to get socked in. The view disappeared while we were there.
And the clouds started coming up the trail (this is the very end at the lookout).
One last try - we stopped at the Waimea Lookout for the third time...and it was a charm! We finally got to see it and it's clear why it's the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Not sure why but it blows my mind that this is on a little island in the ocean!
Still heading down, we grabbed a selfie. This is proof that the sun DID come out while we were in Kauai!
The last few miles of the road are STEEP! The photo fails to capture the grade. Must be quite a fun bike ride!
Our last evening on the south side of the island - finally a bit of color for the sunset!
Here I am outside our condo - in the background were several of my favorite birds - Nene! Nene are the state bird of Hawaii and endangered. Clearly had similar ancestors to Canada Geese. I really love these birds. Hopefully efforts to save them continue...one day maybe their population will be self-sustaining. To date, it is not. We can thank feral cats (and house cats let out by owners) and rats for their near extinction. Hoping they make it.
Another Red-Crested Cardinal.
This cute little bird is a Tiger Dove. We saw several of them. They are small doves with some striking markings.
A handsome White-Rumped Shama was posing for Dave.
This photo of the male Shama shows off his very cool tail feathers!
This is a pair of Tiger Doves. As we were watching them, I wondered if one was a parent and one an offspring. Seconds later, that question was answered by them. It was an x-rated show.
Here is a female White-Rumped Shama who visited our condo back porch.
Another female White-Rumped Shama scoring a bug!
Awesome photo of a Japanese White-Eye peaking out from some wild blooms.
Anole! I love anoles. I grew up with them and have loved them for a long time.
Bathing Red-Crested Cardinal. This is not a pond. It's the edge of the road. I wasn't kidding when I said it'd been raining a lot!
This is an Apapane. This is an endemic bird of Kauai - and one I really wanted to see! They were at the top of the Waimea Canyon road. Gorgeous birds!
Apapane - nice they liked the red blooms. Makes for lovely photos!
And another Apapane. Love it!
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