Drivel - Maui Bird Refuge

Taking a short R&R trip to Maui. Primary focus of the trip is to get Hawaiian taro varieties for adding to the farm and picking the brain of the Maui Nui nurseryman for more taro growing and using pointers. But then we plan to spend two days relaxing and recuperating. My sore muscles are in need of a few days vacation. 

Success on the taro front. Was able to obtain five new additions and a brain full of information. 

Took a day to explore a marshland bird refuge here in Maui. I wasn't expecting it to be anything special, so I was pleasantly surprised. There are two significant parts to the refuge, though tourists seem to only discover one. So we had the inland area all to ourselves, the birds, and a feral pig....which we heard but thankfully did see except for its tracks. 

This refuge is one of the few places one can see two Hawaiian endangered birds. The Hawaiian black necked stilt (ae'o), above. And the Hawaiian coot ('alae ke'oke'o), below. 

There were dozens of each type quite visible in the various ponds. Saw lots of other water type birds, but I was most fascinated by the stilts and coots. I'm not an avid birdwatcher, but spending time wandering the area was extremely enjoyable. Well worth the time.