Jeff Lubeck

The Red Hibiscus Makes a Comeback

The two new hibiscus plants on the property have been struggling. Both are located in the front yard of the WaimeaBeachHouse. The plant is salt tolerant. However, the combination of transplantation, wind, and ocean air appeared to be a less than a welcoming environment. After initial flowerings, the plants lost a majority of their leaves.

Hawaiian Hibiscus Up Close

After a few weeks, new leaves appeared on both plants.

Flower buds appeared next.

The Hawaiian (aka Chinese) is located to the left. It flowered today.

Stigma (top) is red colored. Style (shaft) is golden colored. The multitude of golden colored little stems coming out of the Style are called Anther.

The violet color substance on the petals is called filament.

Full bloom on this day.

The hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. Five species are native to Hawaii. There is one native species that exists only on Kauai. The plant is called Koki’o ‘Ula. Its scientific name is hibiscus clayi. The hibiscus clayi is listed as federally endangered. In the wild, four populations remain.

A few Koki’o ‘Ula live outside the wild. We are fortunate to own one. Its story is located [here].

The Koki’o ‘Ula

Apanane on Display in the Alakai Wilderness

The Apanane is a honeycreeper bird that is native to Kauai. The Apanane lives in the uppermost regions of Alakai Wilderness. It is a fast moving and elusive creature.

To me, the Alakai Wilderness feels primordial and other worldly. I love travelling through it. I am fortunate the Alakai Wilderness can be part of my regular life.

For this shoot, I am on the Kaluapuhi Trail. It is on the northernmost reaches of the Alakai Wilderness. A previous Post about the trail is located [here].

I haven’t captured a wonderful photo of birds on this trail. Today’s light makes me think I probably won’t be able to get a winner. I know I’ll have to hand-hold my camera while hiking on this trail. Because of the bird’s speed, I need the camera in my hand and am ready to go.

Apaname in the Alakai Wilderness.

White – Eyed Merijo in the Alakai Wilderness.

By my estimation, there are three exceptional spots on the Kaluapuhi Trail to capture superior images of forest birds. To do so, it would likely require me sitting at these spots all day, with the best Prime Lens’s. I have the gear. I have not made the requisite effort. Shame on me.

On this cloudy gray day, the diffusion of sunlight is fairly decent. A duet fills the air as two birds sing from the trees. I am armed with pretty good gear. I capture the images above.

Safe Enough and Other Stories Anthology

Lee Child the Television Producer and Author of the enormously popular series of Jack Reacher Novels has published an anthology of 20 Short Stories.

The anthology is called Safe Enough and Other Stories. Is Child safe enough from receiving heavy criticism from his readers and critic’s for publishing this book? Likely, Child is not safe.

The Foreword by Child is perhaps the most engaging and enjoyable four pages of the book.

At 237 pages, the 20 Short Stories are a mixed bag. Some are well written and rewarding for the reader. Others are somewhat less rewarding, but still entertain. A few of the stories feel like a complete waste of the readers time, and that Child might have put no time into the story either.

Not Jack Reacher

Child makes clear up front Safe Enough is not about, or will utilize the Reacher character or the style of the series of novels. None of the stories have a protagonist, or at least one I can remember.

The Anthology

The short stories in Safe Enough all involve some type of crime. Most of the characters in the stories are up to no good. In most of the stories, the people on the side of the law abuse it, and people on the other side want to continue benefitting from breaking it. Only a few of the characters are likeable. Similar to the movies, the Mastermind or Villain Boss talks too long and is the recipient of an unsavory end.

Child does provide some quick turns of fate that prove to be enjoyable. However, some of the turns of fate feel telegraphed, predictable, and therefore unrewarding.

The Red Hibiscus Makes a Comeback

Apanane on Display in the Alakai Wilderness

Safe Enough and Other Stories Anthology

Not Jack Reacher

The Anthology

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