Photoessay #36 - North shore twisted magic

I find that this is one of my favorite Hawaii pictures. Again taken at the Audobon preserve of the Waimea Valley on the north shore of Oahu. It's an unearthly view of an unearthly place...especially to mainland eyes. The Waimea Valley, now a garden preserve with an uncertain future, contains sites of a powerful and ancient people. Above the valley is a temple or heiau site overlooking the ocean and the beautiful valley (later for that). The valley winds up into the mountain full of verdant groves, birds and flowers, walk across some gorges and come upon a beautiful pool and waterfall (that's also later). But along the way are wonders that hint at hidden ancient spirits. Imagine what must have happened there. There are some planted gardens, for example, illustrating different varieties of hibiscus. But the valley has a presence all it's own. These trees, with their tangled complex trunks overlook a clearing on the way to the waterfall. Some ancient games are documented in the valley, likely these trees witnessed them. They certainly hold their secrets.