Battle of the Titans


Introduction

I lurk about the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge early mornings on days when the wind is slack and the sky is blue. The part of the Park I visit is an abandoned Cat Fish farm with dikes separating ponds from the rest of the wetlands. I discovered the place in the middle of a severe drought and the Rangers were pumping water to keep the wild life going. Since the ponds were the only source of water hundreds of rare and endangered birds were concentrated in one area and I had the ability to take their snapshots with my inexpensive underpowered camera equipment.

It’s always been a challenge because in telephoto mode the images produced were marred by noise if the film speed settings were to high and/or blurry because the lens is slow. Another issue is that there is major shutter lag and then it takes seconds for the camera to write to the memory chip. The camera is fine for taking snapshots of plants because they don’t move to fast. You would think that with photoshop you could bend any image to acceptable appearance but, even though I shoot in Raw, chromatic aberration becomes an issue. Consequently Shooting birds and surfing is a challenge but it’s really fun trying to get good stuff (not to mention the locations are incredibly beautiful) and when I succeed in getting something interesting it’s really satisfying. Also we have crazy good light on Maui otherwise I wouldn’t have a chance.

On the last visit to the Ponds before I took the pictures in the gallery above I was surprised to have been buzzed by an Aeo right after getting out of car. These birds mostly just gracefully lounge around feeding off the bottom of the pond and are extremely furtive, flushing at any approach, and here was one coming at me! This time of year the dikes are closed off because the there are nesting birds and only the parking lot has been available. I was so startled by that bird flying over me that I couldn’t even point the camera much less get an action photo. After this first encounter there was no more activity but I kind of got close to some Coots so I decided to keep at it, early morning visits, and maybe between the absence of normal traffic and nesting birds I would get a opportunity to grab an interesting image.

The Battle

This was the setting: a little after 7am with the first direct light peaking over Haleakala. No action: placid almost glassy water and serene birds. The dikes still closed off I just strolled to the edge of the parking lot next to a pond and took some snapshots of Aeo feeding. Then one started to make noise and then all hell broke loose. A pair of birds starting swooping with their pink legs extended. Finally a very immature heron staggered out of the brush. I don’t know if he aimed to do some damage, like gobbling down a stilt chick or eating eggs, or he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The stilts mobbed him, and he made BEEG noise, I’d never heard a heron make any sound. It was a kind of goose hiss but higher pitched. I’d never seen these different varieties of birds do anything but silently, peacefully, and stealthily coexist with the other birds in the ponds.

It was quite comical: with pink legs the Aeo were like Nazis in drag. At the same time the scene was cartoon because the heron has bright yellow legs so it was more like Roger Rabbit then wild kingdom. Herons tend to saunter around slowly until they find a likely spot to fish and then freeze, as in petrified bird. But this one had to keep moving so as not to get beat up to bad. All of a sudden he looked up and saw me and came over for my protection. This was the first time a heron ever came towards me –they are normally just as furtive as the Aeo, flushing or at least ambling away at any close approach so I have dozens of shots of herons ass’s. It was like “hey, buddy pal friend, make them stop beating on me,” and it worked, the Nazis stopped bothering him. He took a breath, looked around, and flew off to a safer part of the 450 acre park.

RSS HI AG Employment

  • Farm Attendant
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii If you are an internal applicant, please log into Workday and submit your application via the Jobs Hub. Please click here to apply internally.This role will be located at one... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/13/2024
  • Research Support Staff (Horticulture - Maui County) (#79227T)
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii, Kahului Location : Kahului, HIJob Type: Full-Time TemporaryJob Number: 2024-01633Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human ResourcesDivision: Maui CountyOpening Date: 08/30/2024Closing Date: 9/16/2024 11:59 PM... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • IPM Associate II
    Bayer. Hawaii, Kunia At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 08/22/2024
  • Field Crew Member
    Bayer. Hawaii, Kunia At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 08/30/2024
  • Seed Technician
    Bayer. Hawaii, Kihei At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/08/2024
  • Operations Manager
    Bayer. Hawaii, Kihei At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/08/2024
  • Orchard Agricultural Crop Scout
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii, Kalaheo Kauai Coffee is now hiring an Orchard Agricultural Crop Scout. This is a Full-Time, Benefits Eligible position with a starting pay of $20.27 p/hr.Orchard Agricultural Crop Scout (Crop Scout) responsibilities... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • Operations Coordinator- Agriculture
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii, Kihei Details: #nowhiring! Belcan is excited to be working with our client in hiring a Operations Coordinator -Agriculture in the Kihei, HI area. Job Title: Operations Coordinator- AgricultureLocation: Kihei, HI (Maui)Zip... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST III AND IV - LIHUE, KAUAI
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii Salary: See Position DescriptionLocation : Island of KauaiJob Type: VariousJob Number: 24-0224Department: HealthOpening Date: 04/20/2024Closing Date: ContinuousRecruitment InformationRecruitment Number 24-0224The Department of Health has ONE (1) urgent vacancy located in... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • FARM MANAGER I - KULANI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - HAWAII ISLAND
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii Salary: $5,235.00 MonthlyLocation : Island of HawaiiJob Type: VariousJob Number: 24-0333Department: Corrections and RehabilitationOpening Date: 07/06/2024Closing Date: ContinuousRecruitment Information Recruitment Number 24-0333This vacancy is located at the Kulani Correctional Center... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST III AND IV - HAWAII ISLAND
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii Salary: See Position DescriptionLocation : Island of HawaiiJob Type: VariousJob Number: 24-0161Department: HealthOpening Date: 03/23/2024Closing Date: ContinuousRecruitment InformationRecruitment Number 24-0161The Department of Health has ONE (1) urgent vacancy located in... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST I AND II - HALAWA VALLEY, OAHU
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii Salary: See Position DescriptionLocation : Island of OahuJob Type: VariousJob Number: 24-0386Department: HealthOpening Date: 07/20/2024Closing Date: ContinuousRecruitment InformationRecruitment Number 24-0386 Level I: $4,155 per month (SR-16, Step D)Level II: $4,495... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST I AND II - LIHUE, KAUAI
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii Salary: See Position DescriptionLocation : Island of KauaiJob Type: VariousJob Number: 24-0229Department: HealthOpening Date: 04/20/2024Closing Date: ContinuousRecruitment Information Recruitment Number 24-0229The Department of Health has ONE (1) urgent vacancy located... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • Lead Aquaculture Scientist (Saudi Arabia)
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii, Honolulu Eram Talent is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Aquaculture Scientist to join our clients team in Saudi Arabia. As a Lead Aquaculture Scientist, you will be responsible for... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • Lecturer (Forestry, Horticulture, Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology)
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii, Hilo Salary: See Position DescriptionLocation : Hilo, HIJob Type: Part-Time TemporaryJob Number: 2024-00971Department: University of Hawai'i at HiloDivision: College of Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resource ManagementOpening Date: 04/29/2024Closing Date: ContinuousPosition Number::... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024
  • (CASUAL) Aquaculture Technician
    Ag Jobs. Hawaii, Hilo Salary: See Position DescriptionLocation : Hilo, HIJob Type: Part-Time TemporaryJob Number: 2024-02045Department: University of Hawai'i at HiloDivision: College of Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resource ManagementOpening Date: 09/06/2024Closing Date: ContinuousPosition Number::... Salary: $salary. Date posted: 09/09/2024