'Ahinahina/ Silversword" - Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

I captured this image while hiking through Haleakala's volcanic crater in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui.  To say the least... this  is an incredible experience! My brother, Patrick, and I began our 1988 hike under clear blue skies just as the sun was rising in the east. As we descended down into the crater, from Haleakala's 10,000 foot summit, we immediately began to take notice of the curious Silversword (the Hawaiian name is ‘ahinahina). This delicate plant looks like it would be more comfortable on a coral reef under the Pacific Ocean, than in the barren, desolate environment of a massive volcano. The beauty of this remarkable plant is obvious, but I was searching for one that was perfectly symmetrical so that I could capture the Silversword as I had "previsualized" it.  I was very fortunate to come across this one early in our hike before the late morning clouds converged on the crater.