2025 Winter Solstice

Aloha Kakou! The end of 2025 is rapidly closing in on all of us and everyone here at the farm is hoping this finds you well. Although the short winter days have already begun to lengthen, work here on the farm continues. Some mornings start earlier than others when unexplainably the conscious decides its time to wake. For me, it seems pointless and even exhausting to try an fight it. Best to embrace the quiet beginnings as your two feet touch the cool tile floor. Water next then coffee in hopes they work together wielding their powers for the maximum good and minimal mischief.

Most overnights recently have been filled with nearly calm wind, overcast skies and even low clouds. Rain showers offering only brief glimpses of the moon and stars. This morning was different. Broken high clouds revealed incredible starry skies. Minimal air movement made for heavy dew on the orchards and grass, and the pups let me know of feral hogs nearby, still. Sleep overnight was disturbed once or twice by the squeal of the intruders either breeding or fighting over the late season finale of avocados.

The farm and island as a whole, has a complete alter ego when the sun sets. Darkness reveals an equally mesmerizing persona. Turn off the lights and allow your eyes to adjust and its not just the stars that offer light. Bioluminescence can be found in the ocean and on island. Some say walking around the farm at night without a light is risky, especially with the feral hogs seemingly in every orchard. I say its worth it. Occasionally the adventure offers a truly unique opportunity. This morning did not disappoint. I first stumbled on these fungi doing what fungi do, absorbing nutrients from decaying organic matter. On a guava tree, a dead branch left a void and the fungi set in. Home to so may little mushrooms, the wanna-be photojournalist in me took over and I snapped a quick photo and continued about my day. By day, unsuspecting little shrooms. Once the Moon chases the Sun from the Sky, a whole new world is revealed.

As time on the farm goes by, you notice the small things around and make notes in your head. I noticed these fungi in all the dark, excessively shaded areas on the farm. All of the difficult to reach normally out of sight spots. During dark adventures around the farm, footing can be questionable, and its best to make a good effort to stay on the beaten path and keep the starry sky above you and away from the tree canopy. Glancing up as you move, and then around, I noticed a dim glow from time to time and attributed it to myodesopsias or eye floaters. As far back as I can remember, I have had eye floaters. But the dim glow scattered on the ground in spots was definitely something different. The smallest details often fascinate and off on an adventure to figure out what was emitting the glow I went. Light on, navigate jungle terrain, light off and allow eyes to adjust. Rinse and repeat until... Eureka! Fungi.

With such a cool experience, you are obligated to share. Shot on my cell phone with the use of a Really Right Stuff™ tripod and some patience, the photos came out good. Diving into the internet, some quick research revealed some cool insights. Filoboletus manipularis is the official name and it is a fungi known to inhabit the tropical regions of the Pacific. It is listed as 'endangered' or 'near threatened' in two prefectures of Japan. These tiny fungi have also found their way into Japanese folklore. Lore believes the bioluminescent fungi were caused by Yōkai or a class of supernatural shapeshifters, ghosts, demons and tricksters. Some of the Yōkai often have animal characteristics known as kappa, not to be confused with Kapa'a which is` the booming metropolis of a town the Last Resort Farm is located in.

This mornings adventure found a perfect spot for a photoshoot. A bit different on the photography side, but definitely fun to explore. Its a far way from my favorite photography but it will do.

Not long after this photo was taken, I finished my coffee and started back to the house. Rounding the corner at the top of the driveway, a warm glow was beginning to take over the eastern horizon. The high clouds were showing signs of daybreak. Really Right Stuff™ tripod still slung over my shoulder prompted a time lapse. For your enjoyment. Aloha!