Haleakala, to the top and back (Nov (Nov 19)
After a "quick" snorkel, we drove up to the top of the island on a perfect day beginning with early blue sky. At the top there wasn't a lot of wind though it was noticeably cooler. Clouds began to form and crept up and over the edge of the crater to fill it in some. The top is mostly cinders and rock, without a lot growing there. There is a band of clouds lower down that provides mist and moisture to plants in that area. This made it interesting to see things like ferns growing in the grass and pockets of moisture loving things between the rocks where they are more protected, then wide open drier areas without a lot of cover, depending upon the location.
Because were diving we had to wait several days to be able to go up here. As I get altitude sickness, I skipped hiking the rim trail. It looked like a lot of different colored cinders and very few plants to photograph anyway. So, all my photos are pretty close to the road or the little trails at the viewpoints. I took a group of photos at the top where the Silverswords grew, along with some plantain and Lady Beetles--interesting to see them at 10,000' elevation.
We stopped for lunch at the Silversword and crater viewpoint, but there really weren't many Silverswords. That was were the ferns and small plants were tucked into the rock.
The other viewpoint was Kalahaku, which is a larger stopping spot, with more parking space. That is where the Chukar was pecking the ground beneath the cars.
Found a good description of the road and landscape of the park: https://www.dartmouth.edu/~volcano/texts/DekHaleakala.html#Haleakala
Observations
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What
Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Banded bird hanging around picnic area
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Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
At 7000’ Haleakalā visitor center lawn.
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Pūkiawe (Leptecophylla tameiameiae)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
This was in the picnic area at the Haleakalā Visitors Center at 7000’ on the edge of the grass where wild the shrubby area surrounds a patch of grass.
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Pūkiawe (Leptecophylla tameiameiae)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
A second specimen at between 7000’ and 8000’ along roadside pullout.
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Pūkiawe (Leptecophylla tameiameiae)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Pale berries on bush at between 7000’ and 8000’ along roadside pullout.
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Fragrant Evening-Primrose (Oenothera stricta)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Guessing this is imported/invasive? Seems to prefer the edge along the road or around parking areas.
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Beard Lichens (Genus Usnea)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Guess. Can’t do placeholder on this one. At roadside stop between 7000’ and 8000’ on tall shrub/short tree (yellow flowered pea family?)
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Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Shrubby, heavily lichened specimen at between 7000’ and 8000’ at roadside pullout.
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Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Large shrub at edge of picnic area (grassy area carved out of wild shrubs).
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Chukar (Alectoris chukar)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Sign said three birds stay at ground level on mountain—Chukar, Pheasant, and NeNe. Saw all 3, but didn’t get photo of the pheasant that flew away. This Chukar is very tame compared to ones in my yard which spook at any small thing.
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Subfamily OrsillinaeObserver
wenatcheebDescription
Not many insects to be seen. These are only ones I saw on what was left of these yellow flowers. Most were bloomed out and gone to seed.
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Kūpaoa (Dubautia menziesii)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Sign for Na’ena’e at visitors center seems to match leaves. Group concensus suggested splurges, but I don’t think that fits. Daubatia turned up which completely different plant, trying that.
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Bluebottle Flies (Genus Calliphora)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Bluish cast. Little one was circling and seemed to be trying to get close to larger one, which sent it away. At parking area for Silversword view at edge of crater.
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Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Single plant at parking lot for Silversword/Crater view.
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Haleakalā Tetramolopium (Tetramolopium humile ssp. haleakalae)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Two small plants tucked down into shady place between rocks. at Silversword/Crater viewpoint.
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Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Small weedy plant at Silversword/Crater viewing area.
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Silvery Bryum (Bryum argenteum)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Did not see moss while on wet side of island so was surprised to find it near top of Haleakalā. At Silversword/Crater viewpoint.
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Hawaiian Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum var. decompositum)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Interesting to see ferns in this barren area. Also grew among grass at lower level where clouds seem to form regularly.
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Shield Lichens and Allies (Family Parmeliaceae)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
White circles, specifically.
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Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Few, tucked into shady corners.
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Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
On Plantain at 10,000’ summit viewpoint.
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'Aiakanene (Coprosma ernodeoides)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
This name doesn’t pull up reference plant, closest is black crowberry. Plant and sign from Visitor Center display at 7000’ for reference photo.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Sign calls this Nohoanu not Hinahina. Display here labels Artemesia mauiensis as “Hinahina.” Visitors Center display for reference. I did see these spotted across mountain, usually tucked down below bigger shrubs, but stopping along road to take photo is difficult to impossible.
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Maui Wormwood (Artemisia mauiensis)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Hinahina. Note that the Maui geranium label has same name. Visitors Center display for reference.
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'Ohelo 'Ai (Vaccinium reticulatum)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Visitors Center display for reference. I could spot these along the road because of the reddish leaves at tips of branches.
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Geranium Family (Family Geraniaceae)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Visitors Center plant display for reference. Did not notice these on mountain.
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Haleakalā Silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp. macrocephalum)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Plant in display with Silversword at Visitors Center, sign stated that there are many related species across islands. This plant was in with other Silversword plants, but unlabeled, and it doesn’t seem to match the 2nd sign.
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Groundsels (Genus Senecio)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Small yellow composite.
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Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
In lawn by picnic area at Visitors Center.
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White Clover (Trifolium repens)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
In lawn by picnic area, Visitors Center.
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Madagascar Ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Yellow composite, about 2’ tall. Picnic area at Visitors Center.
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Pūkiawe (Leptecophylla tameiameiae)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
At wild edge of picnic area, Visitors Center.
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Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Only bee I spotted, near picnic area, Visitors Center. About 7000’ elevation. I was hoping to find a local masked bee, but it’s probably not the right season.
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Sidewalk Firedot (Xanthocarpia feracissima)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Speckles of Orange in roughly circular pattern.
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Jelecote Pine (Pinus patula)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Forest grove, looked like pines with soft drooping needles.
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Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Reminded me of Eucalyptus. Pretty ratty looking—wondered if they have an off season or might be diseased? Lower portion of road up to Haleakala.
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