Topic: Weekend - September 15, 16 & 17, 2023

[Bryan]

One more from Ofu and some from Tutuila, American Samoa.  Minolta Freedom Zoom 115 with Kodak Gold 200 expired 10/2003.

Ofu beach with Olosega island on the right.  This is in the National Park of American Samoa.
Ofu Beach by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

I always have to take a picture of Charlie.
Charlie Tuna by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Maliu Mai Palms by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

[Francois]

Sad to think that with the rising water levels, the days of those lovely beaches are counted...

[Bryan]

Sad to think that with the rising water levels, the days of those lovely beaches are counted...

At least these islands won't disappear with a few feet of sea level rise like some islands.  The Marshal Islands are only a few feet above sea level, the threat is much worse for them.  The problem Ofu has is an algal bloom killing the coral reef.  That's what protects the island from coastal erosion.  You can see it in my first and last picture.  The Ofu beach has very little wave action pounding on the beach because the coral reef protects it.  In the last picture there's very little protection, the waves are pounding against the lava rock along the coast.  That's not because the reef was damaged in this location, the water just drops off deeper there, but you can see the effect of not having a reef.  The reason I was on Ofu was to look at fixing the problem that is causing the algal bloom since it is thought to be man made.

[Francois]

The reason I was on Ofu was to look at fixing the problem that is causing the algal bloom since it is thought to be man made.

Probably fertilizer runoff... like in most places.

[grit]

Went to Golden Gate Park's annual "Flower Piano" event where 12 pianos are hauled into the botanical gardens for the public to play (plus a few scheduled performances). Played some pianos, took some pictures!

[astrobeck]

Nice mix of color and black and white, plus locations for the weekend.
Mines' from a road trip to Arizona last week with a trusty Nikon N80 that I seldom use.
It's quite a joy to have auto focus and everything sorted.
expired (2004) HP5 @ 320 dunked in caffenol for 9 minutes.
Salt River, Arizona, south of Show Low.
Pedestrian bridge on the left used to be the highway bridge.