A Plant Fanatic In Hawaii

New beginnings new directions on blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 23:51:00 +0000

New beginnings new directions on blogging

It's been awhile since I have updated this blog and I also closed my Hawaii blog called A Big Island Life since I just got very tired of writing new posts with little traction. Instead I have been working on my main travel blog at Travel Photo Discovery and really getting more effort into updating the site and traveling around the world. In case you have visited, my newest post is called Top things to do in Miami. It's about the wonderful attractions,neighborhoods, cool trendy places and things worth doing and seeing in Miami.

I love traveling and have enjoyed the progress of this blog which I've spent a few years working on. But I do have a new Hawaii Centric blog that I will be starting up within the next few months and just thinking about the new design directions and focus of what I want to do regarding a Hawaii focus. Meanwhile, please check out my Travel Photo Discovery site and I plan on posting more relevant topics covering plants, landscapes and being outdoors in general, even if it is not based in Hawaii.

Stay tuned for more new updates.

Here's my new blog on A Big Island Life

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 18:36:00 +0000

Introducing A Big Island Life

I've been so busy lately with my new website, it is called A Big Island Life, a site dedicated to everything about the Big Island of Hawaii and living aloha.

It covers every facet of Big Island living including: lifestyle and culture, gardening and green living, events, music and art, recreation and sports and special interest to living or just visiting the island.

Please come and visit the website and if you would love to see more, subscribe to my updates and newsletters via email so you will get all the latest updates for free.

Aloha and enjoy A Big Island Life!

Sunrise in East Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 21:05:00 +0000

Sunrises are so amazing in Hawaii when you make a little effort to greet each morning in paradise.

Everyday and each sunrise is quite different.

Each with a new story and colorful start of the day to experience in person.

Most people are still asleep when this happens, but when you physically there - it's magical!

Another morning in paradise....its so sweet seeing this and greeting the new day.

Don't you agree?

A sweet art garden in Mendocino town.

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 23:50:00 +0000

: A colorful mosaic with local wildlife

A sweet art garden In Mendocino

I love being surprised just happening into someplace unusual or quirky, it really makes discovering a new place a wonderful experience. So when I walked into this fun and creative art garden in Mendocino, it totally put a smile on my face. The garden is located on the grounds of the Mendocino arts center in downtown Mendocino. You'll have a wonderful time walking around the garden and discovering all the surprising little bits and garden art hidden throughout the property and so cleverly infused into the landscape.

To continue the rest of the story on Travel Photo Discovery click link below http://travelphotodiscovery.com/a-quirky-and-fun-garden-in-mendocino/

Volcano Garden Arts, a garden tour

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:01:00 +0000

A garden tour in Volcano

When I'm visiting up in Volcano village on Hawaii Island, I love stopping by my favorite art gallery/café with this whimsical garden. Open to the public everyday, the Volcano Garden Arts center is a fun place to see beautiful art work and crafts, and also explore the colorful garden surrounding the gallery. Filled with sculpture, art objects and other art inspired vignettes sprinkled around the garden walks, its a fun and place to walk around. Eclectic tropical plantings and quirky garden art here and there creates interesting spaces to explore and soak in the tropical ambience in this center.

The owner, an artist and collector of sculpture including these large porcelain ceramic pieces were placed in various places along the grassy areas facing the café. (maybe to illicit tea time or grabbing a bite to eat). They are interesting objects to admire while viewing the various elements in the garden from the café views.

While hidden behind some giant alocasia plants another hidden porcelain warrior is standing guard.

There are many small water features like this little fountain with fresh tropical flowers placed below the water to break up the fall into the pottery. In the entryway to the gallery, it is a warm symbol of aloha before entering the building.

Also around the walk up entry lanai are beautiful potted geraniums and this begonia filled with pink blossoms.

There are many giant hapu'u or tree ferns close-by, most of them planted with bromeliads which love attaching to the limbs and getting its nutrients directly from the outdoor elements.

On this hapuu fern a shocking red miltonia orchid is blooming with new spikes just starting to unfurl its petals.

I love this half sunk Thai Buddha submerged in this water garden.

And another garden feature with a sweet smiling boy admiring the tropical flowers.

Here's a collection of succulents I found in a partially covered gazebo, I love the whimsy of the last two pottery and plant vignettes with the oriental statues.

The garden is even popular with locals who like to visit the café or just hang out in the gardens where its nice and quiet, a great spot to relax and read a book like this guy below.

Another whimsical detail with these little mosaic birdhouses, who wants to take one home with them?

There was a ceramicist giving a pottery demonstration in one of the pavilions, here she is showing how to create an opening hole for the tea spigot with this tea pot. Below is one of her colorful teapots on display, aren't they so wonderfully detailed?

Nearby is the meditation garden, which has these tall pine trees that are formed in a large rectangular space with nothing in the middle except for pine needles and a tall column filled with tropical flowers....very zen wouldn't you say?

Close to the entry of the zen garden sits a small Buddha . I love when the bromeliad plants and buddha are almost buried in weeds and overgrown areas, like something neglected and disappearing back into nature and adding a nice old patina to this section.

One last Buddha, greets us on the way back to the parking lot with another flower offering on his folded hands.

Well there were quite a lot of treasures and sculptures to be found in the garden. Next time your here in Volcano, do drop by and also see the beautiful artwork for sale in the gallery. Here's some more information on the Volcano Garden Arts center for you to visit.

Black and White Study

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:26:00 +0000

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. -Albert Einstein

A gorgeous garden in Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 18:34:00 +0000

I just wanted to share an excerpt of my new blog called Travel Photo Discovery, hope you take a look..

Mossen Costa i Llobera gardens

I love discovering unusual or quirky things while visiting a new city and Barcelona does offer exciting and appealing sites to see. Some of these places grabbing my attention early on was when I visited Montjuic and the beautiful gardens that I saw in between the myriad of amazing museums. My favorite garden to visit in Montjuic was this expansive desert garden, Mossen Costa i Lobera (named after famous poet Miguel Costa i Llobera) on the slopes of Montjuic overlooking the Miramar area with its scenic bayfront and beaches.
Unlike any other urban garden I’ve been to, the Mossen Costa i Llobera garden hosts an extensive collection of cactus, succulents, mediterranean, tropical and sub-tropical plants to create an exotic garden in the midst of this urban jungle. In fact, it is one of the most important cactus and succulent collections in the entire plant world. Surprisingly, there were only a few people visiting this magnificent garden when I visited and that’s probably due to the fact that it is not on every guidebooks top ten list of things to see in Barcelona. Personally, I consider this garden tour and the luxury of having the garden mostly to myself an absolute treasure. It’s worth spending some time here to enjoy the mature garden and take your time with your photography without a mass of tourists clamoring to be in the same spot.

Continue reading below on my new travel site
http://travelphotodiscovery.com/mossen-costa-i-llobera-garden-in-barcelona-an-exotic-garden/

A private estate and botanical garden along the Hamakua coastline.

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:12:00 +0000

The earlier post I write about with the private garden and waterfall is part of this estate and lilly farm owned by the Trotter family along the Hamakua coastline on the Big Island. A very lush and beautiful estate, its almost a botanical garden in its own right.

The owners, long retired from a regular farming and nursery business now enjoy the property on their own and allow small local groups to come and photograph their amazing garden. You will be able to see almost every type of exotic plant, flower and fruit tree on this property which the owners have lavishly maintained for decades.

This is part one of two posts on this amazing estate, stay tune for some of the more

of their gardens especially their amazing collection of tropical rhododendron or vireyas, its a very extensive and award winning collection.

If you would like to visit more photos of this estate, come and vist my flickr page here

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

Hike to a waterfall along the Hamakua coastline

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:26:00 +0000

Its always been on my bucket list to follow a waterfall to where it ends in the ocean, I don't know why. Its strange after living in Hawaii for quite some time, I've always been fascinated by this type of hike but have never had the opportunity. So when the occasion came up recently to visit a private garden in the Hamakua with a waterfall and trail that eventually falls into the ocean, I was excited.

When I arrived at the property, I talked with the other guests and everyone seemed to be distracted with the beautiful and expansive garden which in itself was worth spending most of one's time enjoying. Since no-one was ready to hike, I started down the precarious staircase leading down to the waterfall. The paths were tricky but nicely planted with colorful anthuriums and other shade loving plants.

Then I noticed after a taking few pictures, I was totally being eaten up by mosquitoes (no wonder the guests were not interested in coming down) I was now the feast for all the mosquitoes that morning and they were hungry. Needless to say I didn't stay idle in one spot for a very long time.

I could hear the sounds of waterfalls directly ahead and in no time arrived at this sweet waterfall opening framed with lush greens of every color. It was beautiful, and I had the whole scene to enjoy on my own. Quickly, I followed the stream bed down a worn path dotted with palms and coconut tree along with many large leafed plants. I make it finally to the edge with of the cliffs which were framed with these huge ironwood trees supporting the cliff sides - quite an idyllic spot to relax. The little breezes fortunately keeping the mosquitoes at bay and allowing me to linger awhile longer.

I hear the waters loudly as they cascade down the cliffs into the ocean. It was a little tricky trying to get a good view of the waterfall into the rocks below, all I could really see was the rushing water from the top view, but the coastline views from the edge was spectacular and the waters were various shades of aqua to deep, deep blue along the horizon.

It was an enjoyable moment even though I couldn't see the waterfalls cascading directly to the bottom of the ocean. Wonderful breezes kept those pesky mosquitoes at bay for the moment. Now, it was time to make that arduous hike back up those 100 plus steps to the main house, well at least if I go quickly I won't be harassed by the mosquitoes on the way back uphill. All done, so glad I finally got that out of my bucket list of hikes to do and I actually enjoyed the challenge and rewards all to myself.

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii.

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:36:00 +0000

May day is also called Lei day in Hawaii, its a popular and fun way to cherish someone you love and care for with a beautiful hand-made lei.

The origins of lei making started with the early Polynesians and settlers to the Hawaiian islands to honor their gods by twining greens into wreaths and making these as offerings. They also used the wreaths and flowered lei made of fragrant ginger blooms to decorate and adorn their bodies. Other fragrant greens used included maile and hala leaves which were used extensively to celebrate various rites, special occasions and daily wear.

This concept of giving a lei to someone special was then popularized with the influx of tourism throughout the Hawaiian islands around the 19th and 20th century. Presenting a lei during the arrival or departure of a love one was shared and communicated as a sign of affection and aloha and still is still used currently as a symbol of affection and aloha.

Leis are now made with many different and aromatic flowers to include tropical plumeria, jasmine, ginger, roses, gardenias, tuba rose and scented orchid blooms to create aromatic and beautiful displays. Every flower and color combination is available and sold through different wholesale and retail outlets. Leis are also made with with many types of organic materials including seeds, shells, fabric and ribbon along with a variety of greenery to create different looks and texture and patterns.

(A gorgeous tutu or grandmother wears and elaborate collection yellow, orange and red flowered leis at a hula performance in Hawaii)

Green material used for the leis above include aromatic maile leaves, ferns and seeds pods, along with the very popular plumeria well loved for its wonderful aroma. Fresh leis are made and worn as adornment for each and every hula performances like the dancer above performing at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

Even elaborate large leis are made to adorn horses in many of the annual parades throughout the islands. Here leis elaborate leis are created for the horse and pau rider for the annual Merrie Monarch parade in Hlo, Hawaii.

Lei day celebrations today in East Hawaii are marked with lei and craft demonstrations, live music and performances and other festivities celebrating this well loved tradition. It seems so appropriate for the first day of May to celebrate spring and a beautiful day by making a lei and giving to someone special in your life..

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

The Merrie Monarch Festival - A weeklong hula festival

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:42:00 +0000

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The whole week right after Easter day celebrations in Hilo, Hawaii is marked with the Merrie Monarch festival which covers everything and anything focused on the beautiful hula dance, competitions and various events celebrating the hula.

This is one of our most beautiful festivals to watch not only for the gorgeous dancing, wonderful live music and colorful outfits, but also for the gorgeous flower leis, head pieces and organic plant materials used as adornments. In the traditional styles of performances, traditional wear is all handmade from local materials including the coloring of costumes. This dancer below wears a crown of palm pods with indigenous flowers and moss for her hairpiece decoration.

Every day is set with amazing hula performances at many venues around Hilo town and many hula halau (hula schools) coming from all over the world converge to enjoy, compete and perform in the festivities. You will see some of the best hula performances in the world at this week long celebration of hula.

The first day of peformances starts on Easter Sunday and is a called the Ho'olaule'a (Hawaiian celebration or event). The event features well known local hula halau (hula schools) from Hawaii Island and is a favorite event with local audiences. Usually the auditorium is packed with audience members supporting their favorite hula halau with loud cheers and whistles. The energy level and spirit of Aloha is alive with the hula dancing along with audience participation.

Many hula halau include young keiki (children) dancing in their age groups and hula performances are encouraged at all ages from young to old. But the keiki hula performances are very popular and fun to watch at the Ho'olaule'a show.

Traditional hula dancing known as hula kahiko is a very popular dance to see and experience. Not only are the costumes handmade, but also their adornments, leis and musical instruments are hand done for each specific performance. Every part of a dance and costume is presented with authentic details with time consuming practise and performance. This is to present a hula dance to the audience so they can experience an authenthic and ancient hula performance.

The modern dance style called hula Auana is also popular with colorful outfits and a beautiful and expressive flowing style. Most hulas dances are typically done in this modern style of dance with popular Hawaiian music performed with an ukulele, guitar and base guitar combination and singers complementing the dance.

Here are a few more performance highlights of last night's event.

The Merrie Monarch Ho'olaulea hula performances in Hilo are just the start of a week long celebration of hula dancing at its finest. The rest of the week comprises of beautiful hula demonstrations, crafts fairs, singing competitions, various competitive dance performances and a colorful parade with the champions of the hula events.

To view more images of this event, please visit my flickr site below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12701042@N04/sets/72157633140716967/with/8610627747/

A hui hou (until we meet again) - hopefully at another beautiful hula performance at the Merrie Monarch festival in Hilo.

Enjoying the west side at Polulu Valley,Hawii

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:34:00 +0000

Its nice to switch it up and visit the west side of Hawaii island for a change of pace. After an assignment in Kona, I wanted to drive out to Hawi and hike down Polulu valley to the black sand beach, and with any luck catch an amazing sunset which I've never experienced at Polulu.

Unfortunately, it seems like whenever I visit Polulu, its always socked in with clouds, stormy skies, and no sunsets - a little disapppointing considering the drive.

Oh well, here's the scene from the lookout point to the rugged coastlines on this grey, grey day.

The light was flat with even clouds creating a washed out atmosphere to the usually dramatic landscape. Walking back to the car, I did notice some beautiful wildflowers all over the roadway which I've never noticed before, and they were blooming everywhere. Its always amazing how inspiration can change instantly when you keep your eyes open and observe things differently in the landscape.

In this lighting, photographing plants and flowers is very flattering, framing the view with texture and color to create a pleasing image.

Inspiration comes back into view:

Beautiful white wildflowers frame this entire field creating a sweeping panorama with a gorgeous wild flower foreground below.

I'm loving this image that I converted to a black and white, the wildflowers just seem to pop out drammatically against the dark green hillsides. Even though this didn't turn out well for a sunset opportunity, I was able to find something just as interesting wih the wildflowers and creating a different mood to Polulu, definitely worth the drive.

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

Big Island Chocolate Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:43:00 +0000

The cacao plant is starting to make big inroads in the chocolate market on the Big Island of Hawaii. This relatively new commodity is driving huge demand for locally grown cacao and creating new markets in bean to bar, chocolate purveyors and chocolatiers, secondary finished products, restaurant inspired chocolate creations and food fanciers using the raw product to create some amazing new chocolate inspirations.

Supporting this new fledging crop, the newly formed Kona Chocolate Association was established to promote and educate the general public and buying market of locally grown Hawaiian cacao. The association's main focus is to educate and create outreach opportunities for cacao and chocolate products. The association created a new venue, the Big Island Chocolate Festival, which is celebrating its second year of Chocolate festivities, seminars and gala events. Partnering with hospitality, educational groups and local media to bring more awareness and interest in the marketplace, this festival has quickly become a destination spot for chocolatiers and their supporters to enjoy all the activities centered on cacao and chocolate creation.

The chocolate festival is a chocoholic fantasy dream come true with alot of chocolate inspired activities geared to the enthusiasts. This three day celebration of everything centering around chocolate included chocolate demonstrations, chocolate farm tours, chocolate competions and of course an ample opportunity to see and savor chocolate at its best.

Student participation from the culinary schools around Hawaii brought out the best in group collaborations and imaginative creations. The attention to detail and focused concentration of the students to make nothing but the best shows the anticipation and excitement to the culinary events.

Ah, it was so hard to just pick one as a favorite dessert or savory presentation an the gala night presentation. Chocolate preparations were all on display from chocolate confectioners, bean to bar creators, chefs and chocolatiers were all putting on an amazing show.

Fortunately, a judging panel chose sweet and savory winners with the culinary team at the Fairmont Orchid receiving both sweet and savory award. They also won the people's choice award for the delicious sample below,cocoa dusted spicy ahi cone with truffle orange vinagrette and chocolate nibs.

Here's a sample of other sweet and savory dishes and chocolate inspirations from the gala evening event.

You get a delicous bite with this chocolate infused Kau pork belly from the Hilton Waikoloa, made with 72% Waialua chocolate from Oahu, pickled daikon and carrots and chile cilantro in a chocolate char siu sauce

Executive chef Donald Wressel from Guittard chocolate was busy working on a floral chocolate fantasy masterpiece. It was amazing, but I'm wondering who got away with this forty pounder at the end of the event, wish I had a big enough bag to haul this puppy away!

The beautiful floral details to this chocolate sculpture.

A very odd and yet delicious mixture of sensations presented was the Big Island Hog Balls made with all local ingredients including nice big chunks of Hawaiian bacon, I think I polished off a good third of this platter alone!

The sold out event at the Fairmont Orchid was truly a chocolate connoisseur's tasting experience, and it also raised funding for equipment at a local Hawaiian culinary school and a community amphitheature at a charter school at Kaleakekua.

Its always great to support and sample locally made ingredients and finished products like Hawaiian grown chocolate and the Kona chocolate association and their supporters are making great efforts to promoting Hawaiian products and events so that more people can appreciate these products.

To see more images of the three day event, please visit my flickr page.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12701042@N04/sets/72157633085707831/

No GMO, Monsanto must go in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:33:00 +0000

Hawaiian rallies and marches are always very colorful and filled with beautiful imagery and passion. Here, a recent protest and rally in Hilo against Monsanto and GMO tested produce grown on the Hawaiian islands are galvanizing many diverse groups of supports to pressure government to start labeling GMO produced products and drive out Monsanto interests on all the islands.

Prior to the rally starting a new planting bed was created in front of Hilo's historic Kamehameha statue and people started to plant Taro or Kalo as it is called in Hawaii - a food staple on the islands.

You cannot help to smile with creative and humorous signage that adds a human dimension

to this type of protest.

Personal signage give a more intimate story of the relevance of the rally and appeal for local government to consider their constituent's priorities.

The hands show what its all about....

A'ole GMO means No GMO

Even the oldest march and create insightful written dialog.

The weird and funny always grabs attention and sense of humor along the parade route.

A very large turnout supports and galvanizes local community to act and be heard, hopefully spurring action and changes within government.

Strength in numbers and positive reinforcement of words and local support inspire marchers along with onlookers. Hopefully this march has created some impact and thought, along with a very colorful display of Hawaiian culture.

For more images of the rally and march, please visit the flickr link below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12701042@N04/page1/

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

Beautiful waterfalls in Hilo town.

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:35:00 +0000

Its been raining heavy for the past few weeks in East Hawaii, so now that we are getting some beautiful sunny days, I wanted to go out to see the amazing waterfalls happening close to Hilo while doing some errands in town. I'm instantly drawn to visiting some of the gorgeous scenic areas around town when the sun opens up and creates beautiful light to the landscape.

The Wailuku river running through Hilo all the way to the ocean has a series of interesting to amazing waterfalls lining the various areas from the higher to lower elevations.

Above and closer to the mouth of the ocean, the waterfalls are smaller but still dramatic and colorful with flowered trees adding highlights to this mostly green jungle. An older water turbine in the green building adds more cascading water to this sweet spot.

The open area at the mouth has a series of older bridges with this one just facing the ocean, the town of Hilo is just to the left of this photo.

Further uphill is the more famous waterfall and destination spot of tourist to Hilo - Rainbow falls is quite accessible with easy trails going up to the top of the waterfall below. Little rainbow wisps at the bottom of the spill create a nice effect on the rocks.

Further uphill is one of my favorite waterfalls - Pe'epe'e falls. It is not as easy to access with a slippery hike to the bottom which is only done by locals in the know. There are boiling pots or circling currents that spill into pools down the hill into Rainbow falls further downhill.

Here's a shot of the boiling pots below which are extremely dangerous and not swimmable in my opinion.

There are many smaller streams and waterfalls also connecting with the main river like this almost hidden falls next to Pe'epe'e.

Its amazing to see these beautiful falls on a clear sunny day and know its just in the heart of Hilo town. I don't think I can ever tire of visiting these places when I'm in town just doing my errands.

Amherstia Nobilis

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 07:51:00 +0000

Walking through a friend's garden (an extensive botanical garden is more appropriate), I spotted this amazing tree that just took my breath away. The last time I saw these gorgeous blooms of the Amherstia Nobilis or Pride of Burma was in Chang Mai, Thailand visiting the hundreds of temples in that beautiful city. It made sense seeing this growing here, since this ornamental tree originates in Burma.

Among the amazing ruin, I first spotted this mature tree about thirty feet high and bursting with amazing hot coral inflorescence or stalks of huge orchidlike flowers, It was quite showy and I took alot of photos of the flowers instead of the temple that I was visiting.

Confused by many to be part of the bauhina or orchid tree genus, Amerhstia Nobilis is its own unique genus and is part of the legume family.

While visiting my friend's garden in the late afternoon, I noticed the tree right away because of its intense coral and orchid shaped flowers. The afternoon light was capturing the beautiful coral/chrimson color cascading down long stalks to reveal their showy colors and large petals highlighted with yellow and hot pink borders.

I would love to find one of these rare trees for my garden, I did spot a five gallon size speciman at a specialty shop selling for $150 and bulked at the price - and it was the only one available. Hmm, I wonder if I can propogate these from cuttings - more research is in the immediate planning if I want to take one of these prized possessions home with me some day. But for now, I can just enjoy them on this gorgeous property.

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

A hike through Waipio Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 04:27:00 +0000

A fantastic Saturday last weekend, when our local photo club sponsored a trip to Waipio Valley on the north Hamakua coastline. This gigantic gulch on the top western-most part of the island is unspoilt area outside of some dedicated taro growers that cultivate wet taro on the floor along the various streams and rivers running through the valley.

This type of excursion requires a solid four wheel vehicle to navigate the steep downhill grade to the bottom and the numerous rivers and impromptu streams that disect the main road leading to the interior areas and the main waterfall.

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

A Walk Through Golden Gate park in January

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:26:00 +0000

It was a chilly morning in San Francisco for early January, but the day was clear and dry outside, so it was a perfect day to spend roaming around Golden Gate park.

Being cooped up the past few days of wet weather really brought out the explorer in me, I hiked all over the park, enjoyed new discoveries and old favorite spots worth re-visiting in the park.

Surprisingly, there were quite a few blooms still going on in the midst of winter (well at least a cold for me). I could always count on a beautiful display and visit to the Conservatory of Flowers in the park. A whole section of the entry walk way to the conservatory was filled with colorful spring-like icelandic poppies and blue pansies
.

These guys will lift up any spirits during the cold doldrums of winter.

A new installation inside is in progress so its closed for visits - no worries, there's still alot of things outside to see. At the dahlia dell to the left side of the conservatory, the last few scrappy survivors were struggling to put on their last show during the new year – I'm amazed to see these few blooms in January!

Still gorgeous to see with its last ‘hurrah’ of winter….

Around the dahlia dell is a succulent and cactus garden that it is coming out with full blooms from the various varieties of aloes and yuccas. Their winter blooms dazzle like sculpture, and project spiked blooms all over the garden and up into the blue skies.

I love how the sun is highlighting these flower spikes below.

The yuccas are also giving a great show with huge spikes of yellow-drop florets. Its so beautiful seeing them at this time of the year when mostly everything else is quiet in the park.

Close-by to the dell is a shady area filled with these beautiful calla lillies, so perfect and with huge white blooms. Their bright yellow spadix attracting a slew of hungry bees flying everywhere – it was so nice to see them here, active and plentiful.

A busy bee inside the calla working its magic.

I can always count on my visits to the Conservatory of Flowers in the midst of wintertime in the park. It’s a nice bright spot to visit.

Here’s a nice last shot with a detail of the glass pavilion and insignia of Golden Gate park below
.

December garden in Orchidland

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:51:00 +0000

Its time for garden bloom day again, I haven’t participated in quite awhile due to recent travels and holiday gatherings with friends that have kept me occupied.

But, this morning was a clear and sunny day, a nice change from a cool rainy night seeing the Christmas parade in Kea’au town last evening.

After a month’s travel in Japan, I was greeted by large grass, junky castor bean plants and various weeds popping up in my new back yard garden bed almost full grown within a month’s timeframe.

The weeds below are already taller than my six foot height – things grow exceptionally quick here – especially the weeds that love the new garden beds below.

After clearing out one section of the garden, I can finally see the bones of the garden I planted the month before starting to appear again- its looking pretty good again.

In the jungle area behind, I was able to find a variety of my bromeliads hidden in the tall grasses. I only spotted them because of the bright yellow blooms from this beauty brom below peeking out through the thick grass.

The area around my water catchment tank is another area that needs to be weeded completely, here you see it crowded out with ferns, grasses and the ever present purple princess flower (no blooms in the photos)– tibouchina urvilleana – a real pest that reseeds everywhere.

The front yard is still in decent shape, even though I haven’t tended this part of the gardens in also because of the holidays. A beautiful spike from a group of bromeliads are at their third month of blooms now. My bright yellow croton adds more color and is one of my favorite yellows in garden.

Here’s a sweet bloom from one of my ti plants, they are pretty up close, but insignificant at a distance.

Not too many of my hibiscus flowers in bloom at this time of the year except for my stalwart yellow dazzler at my side gardens.

I think its time to start trimming the leggy impatiens, they are so easy to propagate here, especially this orange variety below.

This is the 3rd round of blooms from my white bauhinia orchid tree…yeah!

I have large swathes of pink flowers coming out from my medinilla magnifica, almost the size of miniature trees in my front yard.

More colorful impatiens, red ti and strobilanthes to add a full spectrum of color.

A last sweet bloom to great me this morning, one of my favorite purple hibiscus flowers.

Hope you enjoyed the tour, to visit other gardens around the world for bloom day, go visit

http://www.maydreamsgardens.com

A visit to the West Side of Hawaii Island

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:52:00 +0000

(Early morning view at the Marriot Waikoloa)

Where has the year gone already? It seems like I just got back from my Japan trip and celebrated Thanksgiving and now Xmas is just around the corner. I always have these "How did the year go by so quickly" thoughts at this time of the year. Oh well, at least I'm enjoying it by visiting the west side of Hawaii Island at one of the nicer resorts with a beautiful sandy beach to relax and explore.

I'm up early and the light is gorgeous looking out from the balcony overlooking Anaehoʻomalu or A Bay as locals call this gorgeous stretch of skinny beach front. A large anchialine pond is on the other side of the bay used by early Hawaiians as a fish pond to grow a variety of local fish.

The resort at Waikoloa has preserved the ponds nicely and placed a variety of signage to explain the ancient Hawaiian's use of this area, various sea life found at the fish ponds and information about Waikoloa. Native plants, grasses are planted on the jagged lava rock areas around the ponds with the requisite but still nice coconut palm.

The morning light is just spectacular now and I have to take a few more photos while I'm also enjoying the wonderful vistas and soothing morning breezes along the trails.

There were already quite a few yoga people doing their morning sun breaths along with the joggers, quite a nice way to softly start the morning, don't you think?

The sand is cold and firm, unlike some of the soft and super sandy beaches in many parts of West Hawaii. No matter - its still a spectacular scenery and you can see the entire Mauna Kea mountain range in the background. I walk quite a distance along the shoreline to various coves and rocky beaches.

The blue, blue skies and ocean are really amazing this morning and I'm almost ready to jump into the water and go snorkeling, but I decide to take a longer walk along the shoreline and enjoy the views - hopefully I'll be able to spot some migrating humpback whales this morning, this is one of their favorite hang out spots very close to the shoreline.

The sailboats are loading up with tourists for their morning whale watching tours. Unfortunately, I was not able to spot any whales along the shoreline this morning. Still, it was a very pleasant hike enjoying the west side of the island - I'm always ready for some pampering at any of the resorts on this side of the island for a change of pace to the east side.

Nikko National Park, Hikes and Fall Color.

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:46:00 +0000

Autumn in Nikko, Japan is the best season to visit the Unesco World Heritage sites and the Nikko National park in Tochigi Prefecture. Targeting the end of my adventure in Japan to see these historic sites along with getting to see some fall colors, I imagined, would be the perfect capping of my Japanese Odyssey. After researching extensively on the heritage sites and the transition to the fall season (which occurs more in the later part of November), I hoped the timing would be perfect to capture both experiences.

Having just finished some extensive tours of heritage sites in Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura, I was a little bit "templed out" from seeing more sites which were starting to blur from the multiples of artwork and detailed carvings at each site. In order to prevent a fast burn out, I decided to take a more laid back approach and follow my B&B host's tip on a more sedate hike along the Daiya river, passing the iconic red Shinkyo bridge, and the gateway to the national park grounds. Even though the bridge is on everyone's first "Must do photo shot", I thought it was quite beautiful framed with the first hint of autumn's glory and the range of pale blue mountains in the distance.

Walking along the river, I start seeing more fall foliage with the pyracantha, aralia and japanese maples starting their colorful transformation to burnt oranges, ochres and indian red leaved foliage. Even though this area is just getting starting to transition to autumn, I can already envision what this whole view will look like a few weeks filled with vibrant fall colors all along the river banks and into the hillsides.

Continuing along the trail, I trudge onward through a forested area. The river gets very narrow and is hidden from view from thick jungle, but then suddenly becomes dramatically visible against huge and rounded boulders lining the curved banks. The river is swirling into aqua blue pools and short waterfalls cascading down their banks. Its stunning, and I breath deeply while taking in all the woody and pastoral views to this scenic panorama.

Continuing along the solitary path, I pass by a few locals walking around the paths with their dogs, conversing (I imagine) about the day's happenings and some juicy gossip while the dogs run around aimlessly through the graveled areas. Finally, I reach my destination and walk through the dilapidated wooden arbor into the Jizu shrine - its mostly a string of almost seventy Buddha-like statues lining the banks of the Daiya river. Each Buddha is donning a fuchsia red bib and matching crochet hat. I didn't really know the significance of these Buddha's until I researched and found out that they represent Bodhisattva who console those that are traveling or deceased souls awaiting rebirth, hence the formations along the pathways and river banks greeting travelers in their midst.

In Japanese they are called Bake-Jizo or Hyaku-jizu. This solo Bake-jizu seemed to have lost its cap but gained a pair of white miniature straw slippers. Enveloped with a verdant green body of thick moss, lichen and ferns, I almost wanted to take this and bring it back home (I wish) and make a perfect addition to my zen garden.

On the other side of the river is the Nikko botanical garden, and you could just see some small waterfalls,walking trails and a variety of maples turning colors along the river bank. Unfortunately, there were no crossing to the other side so I could not visit the garden on this tour, but getting a glimpse from the other side was a nice visual treat.

Climbing over some boulders to a small pagoda overlooking the river, I sit a spell to take it all in and cherish this special moment - knowing that my trip will be ending very soon. I'm quite content to have started the last part of my visit in Nikko with an easy walk just to reflect on my travels in Japan and enjoy the panorama around me. This spot was also perfect for capturing some great photos with a nice vantage point of the riverbanks and valley.

The trail continues climbing through some stone walkways all the way to the top of this hillside where there is a small waterfall. At this point, I decide to head back down to the city because dusk is falling quickly and I want to make sure that I wouldn't get lost in the dark on the way back into town. It was a fantastic hike and I was ready to enjoy the heritage sites in the following day ahead.

A Visit to Nagoya in Central Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Nagoya doesn't seem to be on most visitor's wish list in visiting Japan, outside of making train connections to various places of interest within the region. In fact, I was just doing that and making a one day/evening excursion before I head out to the foothills around the Japanese Alps.

Surprisingly, there is alot to see in Nagoya. I had a very tight schedule of places to visit in just one day including the local shinto shrine at Atsuta, just outside of the main downtown area. Shinto, which is the indigenous religion of Japan followed beliefs of sacred spirits forming from organic and natural representations of rain, wind, mountains, rivers and other organic matter. In adhering to these principles, the areas around the shrines are also organic and utilize wood, stone and other natural materials for building structures, walkways and their gardens.

(Beautiful walkways and bridges passing multiple streams and rivers along the

route to the main temple)

The approach to this shrine is similar to most Shinto shrines with long and contemplative gravel paths leading to the main shrine and other adjunct buildings. Old trees are revered here especially the ancient cypress trees that rare in these environments and were used in building the temples. The large tree below is wrapped in heavy cord and paper to symbolize entering a holy and spritual place. Large casks of sake sometimes made around the shrines or donated by local groups are assembled and displayed as offerings to the shrine.

At the main Asuta shrine, various activities are practised daily outside of personal visits to the shrine. Fortunately on the Sunday I was there, a wedding was in progress and there were families visiting with their children dressed in elaborate costumes of beautiful geishas and little shogun lords.

Large ornate lanterns are found throughout the shrine area for illumination at twilight and night time. This huge lantern along the pathway leading to the main shrine is over twenty foot tall, one of the largest lanterns I've seen on my journey.

I was able to photograph this happy couple posing for a special moment next to the shrine with their elaborate and gorgeous wedding outfits. ( I happened to be standing right next to the official photographer so the timing was perfect!)

I happened upon another special celebrations occuring that Sunday, a Japanese tradition with families bringing their young girls between 5 and seven, and young boys between three and five to have their young children blessed and attend special ceremonies at the shrines. The children are dressed in colorful outfits for the blessing ceremony at the temple, and of course alot of picture taking. Japanese people are not shy about taking pictures and allowing others to take pictures of their children unlike other cultures that do not like photographs being taken of their children.

Entire families come regularly for pilgrimage to the shrine and receive blessings and good luck from religious practitioners at the shrine.

What an excellent visit, this last photo shows a sweet girl who wanted to sing me a little song which I couldn't understand but still enjoyed.

I enjoyed my visit to the shrine at Atsuta along with a buddist temple and a visit to a reconstructed castle in the center of the city, alot to see in one day. I wish I had more time to see some of the other attractions that were on my list, but the timeframe was limited to places I had already planned out for my intinerary. For a very limited timeframe, Nagoya is a perfect place to visit and see some amazing sites only to be found in this region.

Konichiwaaaaah, Japan Here I come

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:38:00 +0000

Konichiwa.....A Plant Fantatic is going to be on a short hiatus for an autumn vacation to Japan.
Its going to be a fun explorating the ancient capitals seeing all the amazing sites in Japan. I'm really looking forward to the autumn colors and festivals that maybe occuring along my journey, not to mention all the beautiful gardens that will be in their primary fall colors. (Although I keep reading that peak fall throughout Japan happens in the mid-November timeframe - so we shall see)

Stay tuned for some amazing updates from Japan. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with an authentic tea ceremony performed at our local tea house in the Queen Liliuokalani gardens at Hilo.

Sayonaaaaaraaaa!

Taste of the Hawaiian Range–A Foodie Extravaganza

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:41:00 +0000

For foodies living or visiting Hawaii island, this Friday’s Taste of the Hawaiian range at the Hilton Waikoloa Village was an amazing tasting event to experience.

(The audience awaits anxiously for the conch shell to announce the start of this tasting event)

With over 35 of Hawaii’s best restaurants participating, the entire event was a feast for the eyes and of course the tummy. Each restaurant was given a different portion of locally grown grass-fed beef and they delivered amazing tasty pupus (appetizers) to wow the audience.

(Town restaurant presents its Hawaiian version of shepherds pie with mutton)

The Taste of the Hawaiian Range is an event that focuses on promoting and educating audiences to support local production and visit markets, restaurants and providers of locally grown produce and sustainable grass-fed beef.

A few audience members were skittish about trying beef mountain oysters that were presented by the Honolulu Burger Company, but those that were brave enough to take a bite were pleasantly surprised by the onolicious and varied textures from this pupu (appetizer)

(Mountain oysters from Honolulu Burger company)

There were many produce providers and growers in attendance including local CSA’s that service the West Hawaii county markets. The variety of food grown in Hawaii is outstanding and quite amazing when purchased fresh from the market to prepare a meal.

The Mauna Kea Beach Resort Hotel presents their cut of beef, oxtail soup and just-poured broth that smelled and tasted amazing – its all about the broth in this soup!

(A detail shot of the oxtail soup below, what a taste!)

Even edible fuschia flowers were presented on this delicious manapua dish from
The Blue Dragon made with sweet guava and bok choy kimchee.

Lots of vendors were participating at this locally grown event including coffee and tea growers, candies, fruit and vegetable farmers, honey and even a saddle maker Ka Hana No’eau showing their hand made saddles below.

This popular event seems to be getting bigger every year and support for locally grown produce, providers, markets and restaurants is clearly becoming a norm on Hawaii island. When there are so many amazing restaurants supporting island growers, it’s a nice way of keeping the local economy thriving – one tasty bite at a time.

An Orchid Fashion Show in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Noel Morata) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:13:00 +0000

One of the best new events at the Orchid Show this year was a the orchid fashion walk and it was really spectacular to see beautiful women and one orchid creature strut down the runway.

There were all shapes and sizes of orchids worn by Hilo Orchid Society members, donning their best show outfits to complement their flower installations like this beautiful off the shoulder arrangement below.

What a beautiful smile and don't you love the photo with the dendrobiums in the back of her gown, the white against ruby red sets off the orchids perfectly don't you think?

Another beautiful model with victorian regalia and large orchids to match her jewelry.

Here is our victorian lady below with a more proper collection of yellow oncidiums to match her hat, below you will see her in her orchid garden room.

Whats a fashion show without a bride and this model steals the show with her almost all white orchid ensemble of dendrobium and oncidium orchids...below is a detail shot and complete outfit.

Watch out its a major orchid collection walking down the catwalk!

I love this last photo, it shows how everyone really loves their orchids on their outfits, even zany ones work at this show!

Well that was a first for this year, and hopefully more to come. It was a fun event to see and I hope that you enjoyed our first orchid fashion show.

This is my contribution fertilizer friday, visit here to see other flowers in the world todayhttp://www.tootsietime.com/