The Merry Holidays

        The holiday season is packed with family, friends and travel, so we thought it would be appropriate to cram in one big blog spot with photos from the season. Our holidays started in Seattle, visiting Sam's family and celebrating the Grand Suver's 70th wedding anniversary! Isn't that just amazing?! We ended up throwing them a party, with handmade decorations and a feast of homemade goodness that kept us cooking in the kitchen for over two days. 

       Although we visit Seattle annually, our trips are usually too busy for much playtime in the city, but this time we sneaked away for a nostalgic romp around our old college campus, ate at our fave pho restaurant on the Ave., drank too much coffee in Ballard and saw friends. And yes -- it was wet and rainy the whole time! Classic Seattle!

       On Xmas Eve, we flew back to San Francisco, arriving just in time for lasagna with family and our friend's Marika + Jess, who were visiting from MA. Jess hadn't been to our home before, so a hot pink wall photo was very much in order :)

       New Year's Eve, we kept it pretty chill, eating a pork roast that Dad made, and hung out with friends in Mom + Dad's living room. We'll admit, we watched a travel documentary and went to bed just after midnight. 

     For the first day of the year, the weather was stunning and we hiked with Auntie Yam and Mom + Dad in Tilden Park. There's no better way to celebrate the new year than by spending the day in nature!

The Grand Suvers celebrating 70 years together! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, Seattle.

70 years! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, Seattle.

Our sweet nephew Eli, drawing with Auntie Ariel. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, Seattle.

Suzzallo library. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Suzzallo library. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

A trip down memory lane, walking around UW campus in the rain. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Suzzallo library. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Rain in Seattle. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

One of our favorite spots on campus, The Quad. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Art on the UW campus. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Wave bench on UW campus. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Gasworks Park. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Ballard. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Coffee break in Ballard. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Travel Photography, Seattle.

Christmas eve in San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Food Photography, San Francisco.

Jess on Christmas eve in San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

An improvised fireplace for Christmas Eve in San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

Christmas Eve in San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

Marika + Jess on Christmas Eve in San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Food Photography, San Francisco.

Cheers on New Year's Eve!! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

New Year's Eve in San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

Dad + Mom made an amazing feast for New Year's Eve! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Food Photography, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

Steve on New Year's Eve. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

Hugo!! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

Mom directs us to a bright new year! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, San Francisco.

New Year's Day coffee in Berkeley with Auntie Yam. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, Berkeley.

Dad on a hike in Tilden Park on New Year's Day. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, Berkeley.

Mom on a hike in Tilden Park on New Year's Day. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography, Berkeley.

Tilden Park - New Year's Day hike. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Nature Photography, Berkeley.

       A very happy, joyful and fabulous 2013 to you all!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Kauai Birds

       While there are only two mammals native to Hawaii, the Hawaiian monk seal (click for a photo) and the Hawaiian hoary bat, the islands are full of birds.  The Hawaiian moorhen and nene enjoy browsing the daily menu of grub in the muck of the lush taro fields, farmer-made wetlands for enterprising wildlife.  But one need not pull on rubber boots to find birds.  Only listen for the annoying scream of chainsaws, constant on an island with falling coconuts for safety hazards, and you'll see egrets near.  The geckos are scared from their coconut tree perch, and must run the gauntlet through a crowd of egrets that gather to snatch them up.  Or, if you are a particularly lazy bird-watcher, just go to the beach.  It's not uncommon to stretch out under the sun with a book, and then turn over to find that you are sharing your beach blanket with a feral chicken.  The chickens were introduced by Polynesian settlers before more European fowl were brought onto the island, and now have free rein over the island.

       Our favorite spottings on our trip to Kauai were probably the wedge-tailed shearwaters (see our pics of the adorable chicks below).  Shearwaters are monogamous birds, and dig burrows in the ground for nests.  Mom and Dad share the workload by taking turns incubating the eggs.  The hatchlings are curious, sweet, and brave: because their parents fly off before they have fully fledged, they must learn to fly on their own.  When shearwaters first take wing, they often do so at night, following the light of the moon out to sea.  Unfortunately, bright city lights often confuse the seabirds and they sometimes fall inland, and once on the ground, cannot take off.  Many fire stations have aid stations where fallen birds can be delivered.  It's easy to admire these little birds' courageous spirit, as they venture off into the wide world, all alone, but with plenty of heart.

Rooster on the beach with Ariel. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

©Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Hawaiian Moorhens © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Egret © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Great frigatebird in flight. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Wedge-tailed shearwater. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Wedge-tailed shearwater chick. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Nene © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Nene. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

       Got a good bird story? We'd love to hear it -- please leave a comment :)

       Have a lovely weekend everyone!

xoxo,

Sam + Ariel

Monday: Finding Focus

       I've started reading Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods and within the first two pages I'm ready to put it down, lace up my shoes, and find a trail to ramble on. The woods, the jungle, the ocean -- the natural world has consistently brought calm and connection to my life.  

       We hiked the beginning stretch of the Napali Coast trail in Kauai, upon a recommendation from our friend, Charlie, who said it was one of the most beautiful trails he's ever hiked. He didn't let us down. It was stunning. Although it started raining on the loop back, the beauty didn't diminish, and the jungle glistened with a new freshness.

       It's also been raining outside the last couple days, and even though it is cold, and the middle of winter, I'm dreaming of getting back out on the trail. Sam, my Northwest man, is eager for any opportunity to get out under the trees, and believes that "rain is the perfect weather to hike in."  

     Enough of rainy day excuses, for your Monday -- a quote from John Muir:

      "Throw a load of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence."

Ke'e Beach below as we start our hike. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

A first glimpse of the coast. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

The beach with cats and rock sculptures. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Taking a lunch break. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Ok! Enough rock photos! We need to get hiking again! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Bamboo forest. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

       Go out and explore the world this week!

xoxo,

Ariel (and Sam)

Kauai: Photo Diary

      Travel photos! Oh-so many of them!

      Here are some more images from our two weeks of beach, sunshine and sand. We hope these photos warm you up a bit, on this chilly evening (at least here in SF!).

Ariel read a book that was narrated by a dog. Ya, it was a total beach book. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Sam "reading" Sun Magazine. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Gecko! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Too cute! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Reading on the beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Our shade friends. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Chillin'. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Sun lover. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Spouting horn at sunset. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

The North Shore and Hanalei Bay. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Kiddos jumping off the Hanalei Bay Pier. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

On the Hanalei Bay Pier. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

North Shore. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Monk seal sighting! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Secret beach along the south shore. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Surf dream. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Sunset at the water. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

At Salt Pond Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Turtle spotting at Poipu Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Photo by Snorkel Mom.

Sunset at Poipu Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Mr. Olympics! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Aloha Hawaii. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Wimea Canyon. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Hiking from the canyon to the Napali Coast. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Big sun hat. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Ferns along the trail. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

The Napali Coast. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Pretty. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Confessions of a Fruit Bat

       Fruit bats. It's the name my dad gave to my mom and me, when I was a kid. He would go grocery shopping, buying several pounds of fruit, and within two days... it was gone. Did he eat any of it? No. The fruit bats did.

       Now that Sam + I are married, it's a similar situation. The day after we go to the farmers' market and buy five pounds worth of persimmons and pears, he'll ask, "What happened to all the fruit?" Does he even have to ask? The fruit bat ate them.

       Sam knew early in our relationship that I had a fruit addiction. Having dated for only a few weeks, we went on what we call our first "love voyage," a long weekend up to the San Juan Islands. He picked me up in a red Ford Explorer to start our journey North, and when I opened the car door, there was a whole crate of satsumas waiting on my seat. I knew I had found a keeper.

       So it was only fitting that when we visited Hawaii a few weeks ago, I went crazy wild for all the tropical fruits. We got fresh fruit at the markets, from people's "fruit stands" in their front yards, and also picked a wide variety of wonderful wild guavas along various hiking trails across the island.

       Since the only way I know how to keep fruit around is to preserve them in pictures, I thought you could enjoy them with us in our photographic tribute to the edible delights of Kauai. 

Fresh sunrise papaya. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Wild guavas. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Farmers' market haul! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Longan fruit aka "dragon's eye" translated from Mandarin. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Sam going bananas!

"Fruit stand" in someone's front yard.

Fresh achiote at the farmers' market.

Lihue farmers' market.

Wing beans!

Fresh passion fruit.

Sam made fresh bread all week.

Homemade garlic + onion bread.

Hiking and picking wild fruits!

Wild guava.

Wild bananas.

Wild mini-guavas.

Breadfruit.

Wild coffee along the Napali Coast.

Green wild guava.

       Hover over each image in the slideshow to read the caption :)

xoxo,

Ariel (+ Sam)