A Plant Fanatic In Hawaii

Train Time and Playland at the Conservatory

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0000

I just love trains….

I always come back to the conservatory of flowers during the holiday’s so I could visit the holiday train exhibit – its one of the pleasures of visiting San Francisco during the holidays. Isn’t is a great combination to have play trains and plants all under one roof?

I love that they used a lot of natural materials, mosses and live plants, even the structures are repurposed materials used to create the famous landmarks around the park and at the long gone Playland at Ocean Beach.

This years exhibit was geared towards the old Playland which originally was along the ocean front of San Francisco and had its heyday during the forties and fifties and ran all the way to the early 1970’s. The exhibit was a lot of fun seeing recreated parts of the ocean front and the huge cliff house along the edge of the cliffs.

A close up detail of the many trollies from the city going to Playland.

The ornate Cliff house, hugging the cliffs of the city and facing the expansive ocean beach into Playland. I love the miniature plants chosen to fit the sizing with the buildings and landscapes, here a variety of herbs, miniature evergreens, california natives and large tropical plants in the background used just for texture. Even the wonderful moss covering the fake earthen hillsides add realistic touches to this scene.

I never saw the large victorian Cliff House here, I think it burned down in 1907, just one year after the great earthquake of 1906. It must have been the place to visit while in San Francisco back then. The adjoining Sutro Baths were a popular destination point for locals and tourists alike.

As usual the place is packed with children coming to see the train exhibits and jostling to have fun at the toys and props that they can play and climb on.

How do you make this go, I’m sure this kid is wondering?

I love these special exhibits and am fortunate to see this when I visit during the holiday’s. Hope you enjoyed the visit also!

The Conservatory of Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:22:00 +0000

During the holiday, when I’m visiting family in San Francisco, I always make it a habit to drop by the Conservatory of Flowers at Golden Gate park to see the seasonal displays and some of my favorite sections of the complex like the grand entry pavilion with its amazing glass entry (and it’s a nice toasty 80 degrees indoors)

I love seeing the new plantings that they change regularly. I couldn’t find a name plate for this gorgeous specimen – I’m guessing it might be some type of calathea or player plants native to the tropical Americas. Isn't the flower just dazzling, the scent is lightly flowered like a ginger.

Above, I spot the huge inflorescence from the bromeliad below is quite spectacular. I’m not familiar with this bromeliad, but it was quite a show-stopper.

Another exotic bloom, I could not locate the name plate for. I’m assuming it’s the spadix of an anthurium plant which I couldn’t even see in the thick jungle above

I love this fountain and the plants surrounding this huge stone pot. The vignettes of beautiful ferns, moss, little pink tillandsias (another guess), orchids and other miniature tropicals.

Its cymbidium season and the conservatory was filled with all different colors of my favorite orchids. Here, huge sprays of giant yellow spikes create a beautiful vignette in a quiet corner.

I enjoyed visiting and staying warm inside instead of being outdoors where it’s a brisk 39 degrees and cold grey skies. Its always nice to get a slice of paradise then the weather outside is the opposite. What do you think, wasn’t this a great visit to the conservatory on such a cold day in the park?

A Walk Through the Jungle

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Deep into the wild and thick forests at Waa Waa, an unruly and almost untamed part of East Hawaii. Even the roadway to this wilderness is pock-marked with deep potholes, water filled ponds collect everywhere and make it almost impossible to move along the muddy dirt road especially after a heavy rain.

It feels very magical here, like time has stood still for a very long time and you can almost imagine dinosaurs from a very long time ago actually living in this Jurassic Park like zone, even though that only happens in movies.

Amazing plants abound and grow way up in the tree canopy including this wild birds nest fern (Asplenium nidus), the leaves growing over five to six feet in length alone. I wish some were closer to the ground for me to bring back a plant for my garden, but these plants live way up in the trees hard for the plant collectors to reach.

Here is a longer shot of the fern high above the forest canopy and magically

it up by the shaft of light illuminating its beautiful leaves.

Large limbs or aerial roots drape from these large trees and are very solid as you can see

from a friend swinging here to test the strong roots.

Eventually we make it to the clearing at the end were deafening sounds of the ocean crashing

can be heard…we see the huge waves battering the coastline and throwing huge boulders onto the rough shoreline. I took a shot of this imaginary piece symbol with the two rocks lit up the waves in the background.

This huge arch at the end of the rocky beach is the highlight of the hike, the waves are fierce and hurling huge sprays along the shoreline.

This was a wonderful and short hike, I’m glad this area is rarely traveled except for those who live in this area.

All the Decorations are Set…..

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:11:00 +0000

Its sad that we have to import Christmas trees from Washington and Oregon to get our holiday trees here in Hawaii. I’ve always been the opposite of having to cut down live trees and prop them up as decoration – although I do love xmas decorations during the holiday season.

Living in Hawaii means having to be resourceful and believe it or not we do have or own version of the Christmas pine tree called the Norfolk or cook island pine known also as Araucaria heterophylla. These trees originate from Norfolk Island and it grows very well in all tropical areas. In Hawaii outside of Christmas trees and landscaping the wood is extensively used by local craftspeople for making a variety of utilitarian and decorative items for the tourist trade.

Hoping to find some live potted plants that I could use and then eventually plant in my garden, I decided to go out and look for an actual tree farm.

Not a good day for getting a christmas tree, there was a major tropical storm going on the entire week – it was a better day to spend indoors. I wasn’t deterred and pressed to to finding some live plants. Just outside of Pahoa town is a grower that grows many types of tropicals (mostly anthuriums and orchids and I did buy quite a few wholesale) and these beautiful trees are actually cut down for anyone that wants a large tree. I find out later from the stumps new trees can grow back to full size in under four years which is just amazing.

These pines can get really large, some growing over forty feet plus – a little to big for my small house.

Okay the rain was really dumping buckets at this point….and I mean buckets, so I run into one of the shade houses for cover and find the potted trees that are for sale….lets see which ones are talking to me to take home today.

Since they are still small and in gallon containers that are practically cemented to the ground through their unrelenting tap roots. it took quite an effort to pull the plant roots out that suckered through the containers and through the ground shade cloth – didn’t think it would be just as difficult as cutting a tree.

I end up purchasing three trees for $8 each, one Charlie Brown tree and two short and stout versions, here’s the Charlie Brown tree finally decorated below.

Here’s the shorter and stocky version that I transplanted into a five gallon container. I’ll keep this one potted and hopefully use again for next year so everyone can see the growth. (although these do not grow as aggressively in contained pots unlike the planted versions).

Here’s the collection of anthuriums I picked up from the grower, it’s the center piece of

the table top display.

The anthuriums again and ferns decorating the chandelier with red christmas ornaments.

Its been fun getting back into the Christmas spirit and I’m glad I was able to use local trees and various ferns, orchids and greenery from my garden to complete the holiday look…now on to the festivities.

Have a safe and wonderful Christmas, thank you for following my plant fanatic blog and Happy New Year and gardening to all.

Shopping with a Mission

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:52:00 +0000

On an island where we import over 90% of our products, its helpful to shop locally and buy local products whenever they are available. Luckily we do have an abundance of produce to supply our island and all the other Hawaiian Islands.

Christmas Parade Time in Pahoa

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:10:00 +0000

To say that this is a totally zany parade is an understatement. Welcome to the Pahoa Christmas parade in East Hawaii, where you wont find the typical types of floats, people and Christmas cheer everywhere else.

Here, we celebrate the unique, crazy and fun that happens to everyone in this neck of the woods and the parade, really manifests the entire spirit of this community.

Don’t you think this is different?

I always love antique cars, especially when they are dressed in beautiful

flowers

Look even Aunty Claus’ sister made a guest appearance today!

I think this little tot, was going for the best float award in the parade, what a cutie!

Plenty of free hugs to go around today from the teletubbies.

Whats a parade without our local ukelele marching players?

one of my favorite troups, Da Puna Wieners all dressed up…

I’m dressed up and still looking for my treat, have you seen it?

Roller derby is hot in East Hawaii, these are the champion Hilo derby girls.

Past USO performer and still going strong, doing it for the Toys for tots drive, way to

go!

Horses and tinsel, whats not to like?

Chicken man is a well known attraction here in Pahoa town…want to buy a souvenir

chicken?

Our local circus group, does a very colorful show with unicycles, twirlers and sweet kids.

Our local version of santa on a sleigh, here he comes in a Big Yellow truck, courtesy of our

local fire department.

That’s the Parade at Pahoa, hope you enjoyed the whole show, it was another

special parade for participants and marchers alike.

When it Rains in Hawaii -The Waterfalls are Amazing

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:06:00 +0000

With the almost non-stop days of rain in East Hawaii, the plants around paradise are happy.

Even with the constant rain, its easy to be outside to do errands and still enjoy the day. Driving to a party at Honomu town, I decided to stop and visit the beautiful waterfalls at Akaka Falls. The falls should be amazing now with the rush of waters coming down from the higher elevations of Mauna Kea into the canyon gulches below before they flow into the Pacific ocean.

Wasn’t I right? Its is amazing to see this - sometimes you just need to take a

break from the everyday routines to enjoy the moment and nature around you.

Especially when it puts on such a spectacular display.

Texture and Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:35:00 +0000

Its amazing that I can participate with three memes to celebrate beautiful plants. I'm starting with Garden Bloom day, Texture and pattern with Garden Walk Garden talk and foliage follow up.

I’m excited to present some beautiful flowers and plants that show those qualities including this beautiful collection below of red colored plants including crotons, ti, bromeliads and tillandsias. A beautiful combination of swirling patterned leaves of the croton, small pointed and feather like leave of the ti plant and the rounded and also sharp leaves of the smaller bromeliads below.

I went on a beautiful photo field trip with some other photo friends and visited the home of this inspiring landscape architect in Hawaii, it was really an exciting plant excursion and a great study of different patterns, textures and shapes, mostly foliaged plants with only a few flowers for highlights.

Above is a beautiful collection of bromeliads and tillandsias airplants, new purple blooms are coming out of the plant in the right side. I love the silver leaf brom on the far left called Aechmea fasciata

I love this collection of ti plants popping above a see of green, it creates a nice focal point amid this textured pattern of large leaf plants below.

Another collection of different patterned and red inspired bromeliads with one solitary white phalaenopsis growing out of a dead tree trunk.

These yellow colored bromeliads seem to glow amid the red tinged tillandsias and wild ferns
coming out of the lava rock container.

Here’s a beautiful collection of intricate leaf patterns from thick to thin leaved dendrobium orchids, tillandsias, bromeliads and other air plants.

Green and leafy patterns grow wild on this palm including various ferns and orchid plants
that love the mosture and water that collects on the bottom fronds of this solitary palm.

A closer detailed shot of the palm with the sword ferns or Nephrolepis exaltata, and Philippine orchids called Spathoglottis plicata which typically grow wild in East Hawaii.

A beautiful panorama shot of one segment of this gorgeous garden, it was really a wonderful visit here, don't you agree?

Just in case you were wondering about the three meme themes that corresponds with my title, I’m submitting these to:
garden bloom day http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/
foliage follow up http://www.penick.net/digging/
and texture and pattern http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/

Rain, Rain go Away...

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:54:00 +0000

No Really, I don't mind....

The plants are Very happy today,

can't you tell?

I finished editing some pictures of a beautiful garden,

I visited the other day, it rained lightly most of the day.

The rain didn't matter - the garden was gorgeous and the light was beautiful that day.

Sometimes rainy days are a perfect condition to photograph landscapes when the light is filtered and even throughout the garden.

I made some hot rice chicken noodle soup and I might check out some foreign films or a few Classic films this afternoon or maybe a nice nap in the afternoon.

I love to lounge in bed all day long and work on some more beautiful photographs of this amazing garden in Hawaii (not mine unfortunately)...or maybe just read a good book, or even take another nap.

aaaaaaah bliss.....

A Moss and Zen Garden

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:22:00 +0000

Oh how I would love to come here often and just have some time to be

quiet, breath

and relax

maybe just take a moment to contemplate about my life

and where I’m going

but its too easy to get

distracted in this space…

- its just too beautiful here …

I love this tactile environment - I want to run my hands all through this beautiful

moss, then look at all the details

up close

down

every

little micro-organism.

Its very green and lush here, a perfect environment for this moss to grow

along with these ohia trees with their peeling bark and crevices filled with

green fungus

mold

and bumpy looking bacteria

growing

on their stong limbs and stems.

I look up and see the focal point atop a small mound of lava rocks and moss

lies a beautiful and simple buddah head

– its sits there so peacefully and

invites you in to come in and enjoy this welcoming environment.

Aaaaaaaah – yes breath in this forest

and enjoy the moss!

I wish that I could visit here more often…..

A Place for Quiet and Contemplation

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:26:00 +0000

Its been awhile since I’ve visited this grove in San Francisco’s Golden Gate park.

When I visited recently in October – it was a crisp sunny morning – a great time to visit the park and take a nice long walk by myself.

This special grove is called the aids memorial which I haven’t walked through in ages – I wanted to see how the garden looked at this time of the year. Just outside the grove, I spotted these beautiful variegated hydrangeas blooming in mass, it was nice to be greeted with these beautiful flowers….

I love seeing late blooming flowers at this time of the year, a mass of these hot pink japanese anemones were striking in a very shady part of this grove filled with redwood trees.

I do love spending some alone time and discovering something new, or really rediscovering something or someplace I haven’t been to in along time…. I forgot how special this place was.

a simple flower boquet offering is placed at this center plaque.

It puts you in a mood to stop, think and contemplate while in the beauty of all this surroundings.

….the circle stone bench is a welcome detail that can accommodate a large gathering.

-more pink flowers of oenothera cover the bottom of this beautiful acer lit up by the late afternoon light, it was a pretty vignette.

another detail shot of this pink anemone – they are beautiful at this time of the year.

This is a sweet place, I’m glad I stopped by for a visit and see some of the fall flowers blooming here….I’m glad they made this a very tranquil and quiet spot in the park – a perfect setting to think about love ones.

Our Fall Colors in East Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:51:00 +0000

(click on image for full view and the slideshow)

Hilo is in full bloom again with the rainbow shower trees or Cassia x nealiea lining most of the major roads coming in and out of town. These beautiful trees are showy with their long cascades of red, yellow and orange flowers in large clumps dripping down their many branches. We don't get fall color, but we do get fall colored flowers at this time of the year!

Beautiful blooms next to huge monkey pod trees and the large bandstand.

It’s a beautiful time to see this in town and even just to enjoy a brief moment to really see them in their full glory, wouldn’t you agree?

Stow Lake, A Slow Stroll in a Lovely Park

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:52:00 +0000

When I come back to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, I always rediscover treasures that I haven’t been to in quite awhile.

Late in the season visiting the park, I decided to take a stroll around Stow lake since it was a sunny and crisp morning, perfect for a walk around this beautiful lake. A large shrub/tree filled with the gold yellow flowers of the Hypericum greeted me on my walk – they were just stunning to see and lit up like little ornaments.

I can just sit here for a long time and watch the grasses blow ever so softly with the wind…the views of the stone bridge behind fits in perfectly with the tall pines in the background don’t you agree? I am a little puzzled by the strange emerald green colors of the lake – I always imagine that someone in the park is dyeing the water this strange color late at night just for fun.

Beautiful nasturtiums flowers are backlit like little orange jewels and the stone bridge behind is a distant back drop, its really a great day to enjoy the park and just enjoy this view.

I love to bump into artists here since I also do art and its easy for me to approach fellow
artists and start a conversation – it usually leads into interesting topics and shared interests.

I’m guessing this is a species of the California lilac or Ceanothus in which certain shrubs can bloom consistently for a good part of the year. This macro shot doesn’t show the large scale of this shrub which is more like a small tree filled with these blue flowers.

This is Golden Gate Park’s version of fall in the city, just a little color and hint of the change of season – although it felt like a perfect 75 degrees that morning.

Well, I enjoyed my walk around the lake this morning, thanks for joining me on this fun tour of the park, wasn’t it a great day to be out here?

Dahlia Dell…the Last Blooms.

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:14:00 +0000

Masses of Dahlias draw me into this dell.

                                            Their vivid colors, stripes

                                                     and patterns


      are full of whimsy
                   and
                       interesting designs

                                 Aren’t they just dazzling to behold?

I want to touch
              every flower, but please don’t tell anyone.
                     Its my private joy to be in the presence
                              of all this beauty…


                          This one reminds me of fireworks.


                    while this reminds me of taffy
                                    and
                             summertime

You see, I can’t help but to

          touch you and see compare how

               large your
                                flower is to

                                       my hand

                    its just amazing!

                      True bliss……

Dear care takers – thank you for giving us
        so much joy today!

This is my contribution to garden bloom day to see other blooms go visit http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/

Butterfly Portraits

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:44:00 +0000

There you are sitting on that stunning flower….can you hold for a sec…..

Oh too fast – I just want to take a pict….

Again too fast for me to get you in focus

please stay awhile.

Ah - you are a pretty one – will you pose for me please?

Thank you

you are a beauty

Wow you are stunning with your orange wings -

the light is magical

and that flower does look so inviting…..

Okay, there’s enough for two to share – take it easy now…

I do want get both of you in for your portraits!

Beautiful, now hold the pose for me.

Its perfect …. you’re a natural.

I’m enjoying the time visiting and just watching you sitting there.

this just made my morning, thanks for dropping by and greeting me.

Farmers Market in East Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:01:00 +0000

Its always fun combining shopping for groceries, entertainment and eating and buying some new plants from growers all in a one place. That’s why I enjoy going to the farmers market at Maku’u in East Hawaii, there’s a lot of activity and colorful stalls filled with fresh produce, plants, food stalls and services like massage and tarot readings.

Farmers Markets and Local Grinds - Images by Noel Morata

This slide show from my website shows various scenes of what you can find at our local market here, it’s a great place to hang out and just enjoy the day….anyone up for a Hawaiian shaved ice cone?

A Beautiful Garden Full of Intrigue

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Tell me…..

Where do you lead to?

You draw me in completely

with your colorful bouquets and exotic displays

I want

see

please…..

don’t keep me in suspense – I know there’s more exciting things to see beyond

this magical entry

am I right?

Aaaaah yes…..

- it is beautiful here……

Everything seems to be in bloom.

And the colors are all so vivid and glorious!

Jewels in a sea of green.

It is a beautiful world here – thanks for letting me visit and take a

peek – I hope my friends visiting also enjoyed the tour.

There are many other gardens to visit today on bloom day, go visit http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/

Beautiful and Exotic Orchids of Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:27:00 +0000

Orchid Collections - Images by Noel Morata

Seeing a flower show specializing in a species like orchids is truly a wonderful expereience in Hawaii for locals and tourists alike. One of the major shows on Hawaii Island is the Orchid show sponsored by the Hilo Orchid Society and they have their show at one of the largest stadiums in HIlo town.

The annual orchid show has a regular theme and includes specialty growers, enthusiasts, individual contributors and vendors which completely takes up the entire stadium in orchid related displays, large dioramas and exhibits, plants and products for sale and everything related to these beautiful flowers.

Attached is a slideshow of some of the colorful, dramatic, hybrid and rare collections on display.

Enjoy the tour.

Hawaii Scenic Landscapes, Come Forth into the Light

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:22:00 +0000

Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher.

- William Wordsworth

Hawaiian Tropical Gardens, A New Gallery Collection

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Hawaiian Tropical Gardens - Images by Noel Morata

Aloha,

Finally I have my gallery photography site up and running. Here’s a quick preview of the gallery of Hawaiian Tropical gardens. If you have time, please drop by and visit my photowebsite, there’s a lot of garden, plants and landscape oriented photography.

Enjoy the visit.

For other Sunday Flowers in Bloom go visithttp://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

A Beautiful Orchid in Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:58:00 +0000

The Nature of This Flower is to bloom.
- Alice Walker

Exploring a Green Sand Beach in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:36:00 +0000

Exploring a green sand beach in East Hawaii, is a rare treat, most of the beaches on this side tend to be black sand, blank and white or just pebble beaches. This is unique and bringing my camera along to explore the flora and surrounding landscape was a great part of the experience.

The video presentation includes some of my explorations into abstract camera imagery while exploring this exciting place.

Hope you enjoy the video!

A Visit to Exotic Marrakesh

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:54:00 +0000

Enjoy the tour http://issuu.com/noelmorata/docs/marrakesh

From Barcelona, Marrakesh is under two hours by air and crossing the narrow channel of the Mediterranean sea, you are drawn into a new and exciting world in North Africa.

Gardens of Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:47:00 +0000

The gardens and parks of Barcelona are quite stunning. The local populations love to spend time in their parks and public squares and take advantage of all the open areas for everyone to enjoy. Attached is a tour of some of the wonderful gardens and parks I visited while I explored this gorgeous city.

http://issuu.com/noelmorata/docs/gardens_of_barcelona

Enjoy the tour.

To visit other gardens around the world for bloom day go visit http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/

A Travel Journal - First Visit Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (noel) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:47:00 +0000

Its been awhile getting re-adjusted to a slower pace here in East Hawaii and I've actually been playing around with new software and presentation sites. Here is the first segment of my travel journal covering the beautiful city of Barcelona.

http://issuu.com/noelmorata/docs/barcelona_2011

Enjoy!