The Hawaiian island microclimates fascinate me. Both Maui and the Big Island offer perfect examples of how rain shadow areas work, each having distinctly different weather on the windward and leeward sides of their respective mountains. Over on the north and east sides of Maui, you can find some of the lushest rain forest you’ll find anywhere. Every single empty patch of ground is covered in plant life and, in the darker areas, every square inch is covered in moss and lichen.
Wow…double take, I thought that was a hilo image…that is a close up. Awesome!
Note to self – include some element to give a better sense of scale next time! 🙂
This was actually taken on the road to Hana when we stopped to wander up a hunters’ path that the guidebook said led to a particularly cool waterfall. The waterfall was cool but the moss was cooler.