Hawai’i

This past summer, I was able to travel to two islands in Hawai’i (O’ahu and the Big Island, Hawai’i) in order to study the different flora and fauna of these lush regions.

In Kailua-Kona, we went snorkeling at night and were met with these gentle giants. Manta Rays can reach up to 16 feet across and use their cephalic fins (at the front) to feed on phytoplankton. They are attracted to the blue light, and they are not afraid of people. These harmless rays are unable to move backward, so they spin and flip in order to move around.

Mauna Kea is one of several inactive volcanos in Hawai’i. The picture above was taken at an altitude of 9,700 feet. We were able to see the stars and the Milky Way very clearly. It was truly beautiful, but unfortunately, we could not stay for very long due to the extreme cold.

The Kīlauea Iki Crater was by far one of my favorite places to visit. Prior to January of 2023, Kīlauea erupted in 1959 covering the entire surface of the crater in a new layer of lava. The many cracks and crevices gave the national park a unique and ancient feel. The image above demonstrates how life finds a way to survive even in the most harsh and dry conditions.

Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos