At South Point, the most southerly location of the United States, it was windy (it usually is) but the ocean was too calm, not enough drama. The 'beach' here is lava rocks, definitely not a good bare foot choice.

Near South Point. Notice the layers of rock in the cliff face, the result of many lava flows. And the wind farm in the background, there is no shortage of natural energy here.

All the trees grow sideways near South Point, the winds can be very strong...

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle or Honu, at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. The black sand is formed by lava exploding when it makes contact with sea water, it feels very different to the fine white gypsum sand I was walking in a few weeks ago at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.

I was experimenting with the Canon 7D and this shot like many others I'm not completely happy with. The camera is definitely noisy although that isn't much of a surprise but focussing was the biggest issue I had. It was new, I hadn't read the manual properly and it is very different to the other Canon bodies I have used, by the time I went Whale Watching I was getting more consistent results. As an action camera with good quality lenses used open it looks like it will work out and that is the reason I bought it, to partner the 5D2.

Sunrise over the rim of the Kilauea caldera viewed from the Jagger Museum. The sun rising through the clouds near the rim is probably the most dramatic part of sunrise here and also latest which is good for a lie-in! Half-asleep I didn't bring a longer lens and as a result this is highly cropped.

Sulphur dioxide belches out of the new (March 2008) vent in the Halemaumau crater within the Kilauea caldera. Halemaumau is home to Pele, goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence. At night I could see the red glow of Lava within the vent but the winds were very strong and I didn't get a good photo.

I'll be the first to admit this is an poor photo. So why am I showing you? Simple, to encourage you to visit Thurston Lava Tube if you are ever in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! The first part of the tube is lit and popular, coach loads of tourists make their way through. But the tube goes on another 350 m without any light and very few venture forth. So take a torch (or 2) and wander to the end, turn off the lights and wait for your eyes to adjust. They won't, it is profoundly dark, one is only disturbed by the dripping of water and anyone else who makes the journey.
I had one hand holding my light shining on the wall and the other holding the camera with a 200mm zoom (I wasn't thinking too clearly about my lens selection or about to change lenses in the dark!). 1/3s exposure hence the blurry result...

Lava can cool in intricate shapes but there are often air pockets underneath and it can crack underfoot. This has been cold for years so no burn risk but it has many sharp edges, boot are a much better idea than sandals and I'm glad I packed my knee pads!

As the surface cracks plants return, life will find a way...