I got a late start on Powerline Road. Fortunately the clouds started forming over the saddle just as I arrived, saving me from compounding yesterday's sunburn. It never rained, so I was able to stay out past sunset, but stayed near the road and trail.
'Apapane counts were a bit down, but (like yesterday) i'iwi were down too. Also very few white-eyes, thankfully.
At the good kipuka 3 miles in I got 'akepa and 'akiapola'au along the road in the first 8 minute count. I spent a half hour trying to get a photo of the 'akepa, during which I heard at least one Hawai'i creeper nearby. I eventually saw at least 3 'akiapola'au and at least 3 'akepa in just 4 hours along the road in the good kipuka, and got some fairly good 'akepa photos. This is the 3rd or 4th consecutive time I've heard 'akepa shortly after arriving at the kipuka, and as many 'akepa as I've ever seen here in a day.
On the way back I detoured to visit the small Pu'u O'o Trail kipuka in the 1855 lava field. I thought I heard 'akiapola'au several times, but too far on the other side of the kipuka for the count. I found another specimen of the unusual vining melicope that I only see in saddle kipukas, and only 1-3 plants per kipuka - I still don't know which species it is.
'Apapane counts were a bit down, but (like yesterday) i'iwi were down too. Also very few white-eyes, thankfully.
At the good kipuka 3 miles in I got 'akepa and 'akiapola'au along the road in the first 8 minute count. I spent a half hour trying to get a photo of the 'akepa, during which I heard at least one Hawai'i creeper nearby. I eventually saw at least 3 'akiapola'au and at least 3 'akepa in just 4 hours along the road in the good kipuka, and got some fairly good 'akepa photos. This is the 3rd or 4th consecutive time I've heard 'akepa shortly after arriving at the kipuka, and as many 'akepa as I've ever seen here in a day.
On the way back I detoured to visit the small Pu'u O'o Trail kipuka in the 1855 lava field. I thought I heard 'akiapola'au several times, but too far on the other side of the kipuka for the count. I found another specimen of the unusual vining melicope that I only see in saddle kipukas, and only 1-3 plants per kipuka - I still don't know which species it is.
