@Socialprogressive  
a.k.a. _Achatina fulica_ — the giant African snail — is considered a bad guy-gal. As the story goes, some Frenchie fellow brought them to Hawai‘i as homeland cuisine in 1936. Now they’re an invasive species and garden pest.

http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/good-bad/achatina.html

https://gms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=68264&dt=3&g=12

In an example of science-endorsed ecological fiddling that backfired big time, as a check on the giant African snail population a different species, the predatory wolfsnail, was introduced. But rather than having a noticeable effect upon the intended target, the wolfsnail has driven to extinction many other snail species unique to Hawai‘i.

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/hawaiis-snail-...

#2
Beautiful shot of the snail. I saw many like them on my visits to Maui.

@Socialprogressive

are what feed the green, as you know. The photo was taken earlier this week as the sky was clearing from a full day of rain.

I'm going to adopt the name you gave, 'the land of green', it feels perfect. Thank you.

Early Fat Freddy's Drop, for no reason except for entertainment purposes.

#4
in your hemisphere, Janis. Thanks for the scenes from the land of green.

@dystopian

As always, your associations are so relevant and sustaining.

...

I'm looking through a hole in the sky
I'm seeing nowhere through the eyes of a lie
I'm getting closer to the end of the line
I'm living easy where the sun doesn't shine
I'm living in a room without any view
I'm living free because the rent's never due
The synonyms of all the things that I've said
Are just the riddles that are built in my head
Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
Window in time, through it I fly
I've seen the stars disappear in the sun
The shooting's easy if you've got the right gun
And even though I'm sitting waiting for Mars
I don't believe there's any future in cause
Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
Window in time, through it I fly
Yeah
I've watched the dogs of war enjoying their feast
I've seen the western world go down in the east
The food of love became the greed of our time
But now I'm living on the profits of pride

Be forever well

#4 Great pics as always Janis.

I'm calling the first one Hole in the Sky. Which is also a good Black Sabbath song.

Keep up the great greens!

be well!

@Socialprogressive GREAT SP! You will love them. The insects and butterflies are on my desk, birds in the car. I think the bird guide might be the best beginners bird field guide. The other main great bird guides, the Crossley Guide, the Sibley Guide, and the Nat. Geographic Soc. Guides, are all overwhelming to a newbie. Kaufmann did a great job of simplifying things for those just learning. The photos are great.

The bird one is not a go to reference for difficult ID's for me, but the one I carry for others. A guy I was guiding asked me once when he saw it if it was my guide of choice, surprised, due to my long fangs. I explained it was in the car because it was the best guide to show someone armed that knows nothing about birds, why I am staring over their fence with binoculars. I haven't carried a guide in the field in thirty years. If I went to a foreign country you can bet I'd have them.

Soon I will just ask you what they are.

#6
I ordered three of them. One on birds, one on butterflies, and one on insects. They should arrive on Thursday.