I'o - The Hawaiian Hawk

It is amazing to see how quickly Nature starts to reclaim her own. We have been on-site for just five months...living in the house full-time for just three months...and we are witness to many signs that we are being "assimilated." From new sprouts of hapu'u tree ferns to flocks of birds at our feeder and geckos on our lanai, we are surrounded by the rain forest re-asserting its authority.

One of the most thrilling examples has been the presence of Hawaiian hawks known locally as I'o. While the adult pair has been our very noisy neighbors since Day 1, an immature (but very large) hawk has become bolder and bolder over the past few weeks. I have been lucky enough to have my camera nearby and have gotten some great shots just standing on the deck.

These hawks are endemic to Hawaii, meaning that they evolved here and are found nowhere else...quite a treat since there are so many instances of extinctions and exotics here. I will include one photo here, but invite you to visit our web album

Hawaiian Hawk (I'o)

to see more. Just click on the photo!