Hawaii Picspam! Part two: Urban Nature (but not birds)

[urbpan]

I took so many pictures of birds that they'll get their own post. Here's some other urban nature of Honolulu:


This big black bumblebee was in a stupor on the sidewalk. I saw others later in the day looking more lively (and harder to photograph). Anyone know anything about the big black bumblebees of Honolulu? Chances are pretty good that they were introduced from somewhere else.
anais2 put me on the right track with this one. It's a carpenter bee, and I'm pretty sure it's Xylocopa violacea, a European species.


This fern was actually in a landscape planting. There are lots of them around. The dimples on the tops of the fronds seem to correspond to the sori (spore bearing parts) on the undersides.


These Indian banyan trees (Ficus benghalensis) are so amazing to me. Apparently the symbiotic wasp that associates with this tree (all figs associate with wasps to produce fruit) was introduced along with it--I found fallen fruit around the tree. This one is wired for electricity, too.


The tendrils that droop from the branches take root on the ground, and these passageways and rooms form. Very fun to play in!


This freakishly huge metal dragonfly laying her eggs in this fountain is actually a sculpture called "Pinao" by Paul J. Saviskas.

Comments

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

wow!!

the illusion is so great in that last photo. and the first pic ... amazing!

[drocera.livejournal.com]

Agreed!

I literally jumped out of my chair because at first I thought it was the most awesome live action insect picture I had ever seen!

[epiclevelregina.livejournal.com]

If you get the chance to go to Maui, there's a banyan tree there that stretches an acre in Lahaina. There's art vendors and musical performances under it, it's very cool.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Sounds great! I'll have to see it on my next visit to the islands. We aren't going to Maui this time.

[morgi.livejournal.com]

I love the iridescence on the wings of that bumblebee.

[bellelvsbeast.livejournal.com]

Oooh that big black bumblebee is gorgeous...and I love the Dragonfly statue! :)

[anais2.livejournal.com]

That's a carpenter bee, and they say that the males have no stingers. I've never tested that theory.
Great pictures, as usual!

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

The males of all bees and wasps have no stingers--the stingers are modified ovipositors!

[anais2.livejournal.com]

That explains that...
So it's true- the female IS the most deadly! :o)

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I think I identified it to species. (post has been edited)

[anais2.livejournal.com]

Happy to. I learned this in a most explosive way- my sister had one of those heavy wood garage doors that was pulled back with huge springs. One day, the springs came flying out, the door fell down, and we nearly had dual heart attacks.
Turns out carpenter bees had formed a metropolis in the timbers where it was all supported, and when the wood became perforated adequately from the bees, it all gave way, with major effect!

Forget carpenter bees? Hardly.