Wednesday, November 08, 2006

On a Clear Day

The remnants of the recent rains sat lodged against the flanks of Haleakala. The length of an open fairway provides an expansive view of ominous clouds. The mountain behind the clouds undergoes a dramatic transformation when the leeward side is blessed with the winter rains.













For eight months of the year this is the indigenous landscape on the undeveloped lands of Kihei and Wailea.
















Then it rains and everything changes.














Most of the time it is brown from the middle of the mountain all the way to right hand side, particularly at lower elevations. With two good rains, almost overnight, a fresh vibrant green appears and the world has a whole new look and a fresh new feel.

3 comments:

christin m p in massachusetts said...

I always thought that brown savannah grass was dead. But is it just dormant till it rains?

christin m p in massachusetts said...

Also, I noticed that the leaves on the trees are green even when the grass is brown -- How did they stay green without rain?

Christopher C. NC said...

Yes the grass is just dormant and the trees can tap into deeper water sources. The trees also leaf out substantially after it rains.