Tuesday, October 18, 2011

N IS FOR...

N IS FOR ...NENE


The Nene, Kauai

Oh I'm sure someone has already used this before in ABC Wednesday, but it's just very much in my head right now.  Why?  Because in a little over a month I will be seeing them in the flesh  -- 'feathers' actually. Although I have become very much a homebody ( yes, I actually get homesick!) I feel the need for a change of scenery though I suspect that two weeks will be more than I want.


                                                                    THE NENE
The Nene looks very much like the Canada Goose and certainly they have the same roots.  Unfortunately the Canada Goose is not very popular in a lot of places because they have become so numerous that they are almost a pest. This is the Canada Goose:


THE CANADA GOOSE



THE NENE
See the difference in their neck coloring.

Unlike the proliferation of the Canada Goose, the Nene, which is Hawaii's national bird, can now only be found on four of the Hawaian Islands, Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Kauai and Molokai.  You can see a fair number of Nenes at Kilauea Point where the lighthouse is on Kauai.  That's the lighthouse in the distance in the second photo from the top.  There are other interesting birds to be seen up there too, such as the Tropic Bird, the Booby and Albatross. (Don't think those are supposed to be capitalized, as with the names of flowers, but I can never remember and somehow I think they should be. Hey, if e.e. cummings  can mess with capitals, I guess I can).


To see more of Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday's entrants click on this LINK.  Now to find something for O!
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27 comments:

  1. Leslie:October 18, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Wow! Very interesting, since we have Canada Geese here in proliferation. Must check out the nene next time I'm in Hawaii. Have a great week,

    Leslie
    abcw team

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  2. HildredOctober 18, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    They are both very striking and stately birds.

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  3. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪October 18, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I suppose you can't catch the national bird.

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  4. mrsnesbittOctober 18, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    I ,miss our geese xxxx Still love to see the |Canada Geese fly over first thing in a morning. x

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  5. WandaOctober 18, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    What handsome birds, Chris...Nice photos.

    When are you going back to Hawaii?

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  6. Kay L. DaviesOctober 18, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    We didn't think two weeks was long enough to be in Hawaii, Chris.
    We've just been trying and trying to remember if we saw any Nene. We were at the lighthouse on Kauai, and taking photos of far-distant red-footed boobies, but I just checked, and we have no Nene photos. I will be very interested to see yours.
    Oh, and I'm so used to Canada geese, I didn't think the Nene looked anything like them until you pointed out the similarity. LOL

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  7. kaybeeOctober 18, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    I must confess that I prefer to see Canada geese flying overhead rather than having them on the ground everywhere. We are so over-run with them and because people do insist on feeding them, they make a terrible mess(what goes in must come out!). It's sad, because they ARE a stately bird! Enjoy the Nene and Kauai!!

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  8. Roger Owen GreenOctober 18, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    interesting comparison.
    i get homesick too, tho i've never been to Hawaii!
    ROG, ABC wednesday team

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  9. NankaOctober 18, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    The Nene looks very majestic in the second shot!! Lovely patterns of the feathered twill!!

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  10. DianeOctober 18, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Sorry Chris, Ive still not had chance to post the Greensleves and I'm off on holiday in a few days, so i'll post it when i'm back. xx

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  11. AnonymousOctober 19, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Fabulously interesting, Chris!!

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  12. Shooting ParrotsOctober 19, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    I'd never heard of a Nene before reading this post, although we have plenty of Canada Geese. The Nene is a very proud looking bird.

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  13. Scriptor SenexOctober 19, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    I thoroughly agree with you about capitals. My daughter - who is far more educated about nature than I am - says the name shouldn't be capitalised but I always use them. Otherwise, how could you tell a Pink-footed Goose from a pink-footed goose?

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  14. snafuOctober 19, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    I have never heard of them, but I have never been to Hawaii. Canada geese abound in England and have become a pest when out walking near their habitats due to the poop everywhere. They congregate around lakes and ponds in many city parks and it amazes me that the less well off inner city inhabitants have not been culling them, particularly around Christmas time, they make a really nice roast.

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  15. jabblogOctober 19, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    It sounds as though you're going to have a lovely holiday:-)
    (When I saw 'Nene' I thought immediately of the River Nene in Peterborough.)

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  16. Chubskulit RoseOctober 19, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Wow, very interesting. A Nene word in my country means a young girl.

    Nostalgic, is one of my ABC entries. Come by any time you get a chance. Have a great day!

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  17. DoohieOctober 19, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    A handsome bird which looks as though someone has tried to ring it's neck. I hope not. :o)

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  18. Johnny NutcaseOctober 19, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Cool! I have a couple friends who worked with these guys recently.

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  19. Kim, USAOctober 19, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    That is a very cool bird. And the name is cool too!

    Nuptial

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  20. MorningAJOctober 19, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    I remember seeing the years ago at Peter Scott's place in Slimbridge. Nice reminder.

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  21. MerylOctober 19, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Really interesting post! Have fun in Hawaii!

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  22. MorningAJOctober 19, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Just in case you don't get chance to come back to read replies .... Thanks for the great and full reply on my blog. It explains a lot (which is what I wanted)and was honest. Thank you for appreciating what I was trying to do and responding so kindly.

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  23. claudeOctober 20, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    Happy to meet A NENE after having met Canada geese in Amaerica.
    For the next ABC Wednesday and for N,
    I propose you in title N for Nothing and you show Nothing !!!

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  24. Chronicles of IllusionsOctober 20, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    they are simple beautiful - there is just something special about all birds

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  25. Tumblewords:October 20, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Elegant bird. Too bad so many of the birds have become pests. They do seem to take over. Great photos!

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  26. photowannabeOctober 21, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Wish I was taking that trip. I know you will enjoy yourself and come back refreshed.
    The Nene has wonderful feathers. I love the variation.

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  27. Liz HindsOctober 22, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    You mean you're going to Hawaii?! Wow, have a wonderful refreshing time.

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