Diamond Head Beach - Oahu, Hawaii

Diamond Head Lighthouse at Diamond Head Beach, Oahu

Diamond Head Beach is about a half mile walk from the Southeast end of the beach at Waikiki.  The lighthouse is still functioning.  It is built on the cliff of  the extinct Diamond Head Volcano.  The original Diamond Head lighthouse was built in 1899, and today's structure in 1917.   It stands 55 feet tall and is about 147 feet above sea level.   You can see from this photo that the beach is very narrow.

This is another narrow beach section opposite from the lighthouse.   It is not as rocky in this area.   The swimming here is pretty good; it is less crowded than Waikiki beaches and many surfers frequent this area and snorkeling is popular here as well at Diamond Head Beach.   Below are some photographs taken above the beach along the main road, where there is also limited parking.

The photo directly above with the surfboard was perfect timing.  As I was walking along taking photographs, a surfer walked from his car nearby and temporarily laid his board in the perfect spot just as I walked up.   I quickly took a few shots and felt like it would make a great painting.  Later I did a small acrylic study from the photograph and hope to do a larger painting of this scene in the future.

"Anticipation"

6" x 6" Acrylic on panel

Available

Please return again soon for more inspiring photographs.  I hope I have inspired you to visit Hawaii soon !

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Red-Crested Cardinal (Video and Photos)

The Red-crested Cardinal, or Brazil Cardinal, was first introduced to Hawaii around 1930 from South America. It is native to Southern Brazil, Northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.  Personally, I think it is a more striking bird than the solid red Northern Cardinal of the mainland USA (which has also been introduced to Hawaii).   But the Brazilian Cardinal is in reality not closely related to the true cardinals, but instead is a member of the tanager family.  Below are more of my photos of this beautiful bird.

I definitely intend to paint from the bottom photo of the Red-crested Cardinal with the coconut.  He was at Bellows Beach on Oahu and was quite content pecking away at whatever tidbits were in the coconut shell.  

Here is a video (not mine) that you might enjoy of these birds on the island of Kauai :

The brown-headed "Cardinals" in the video are juvenile birds.   The adult birds are about 7.5 inches in length and the sexes are similar.   They feed on seeds and insects, as well as fruit. 

Sometimes I wish there were more time in a day so I could paint everything I photograph !   But I enjoy photography almost as much as my time spent painting.   I hope you enjoy these photographs as well.