Late April and winging my way to Hilo with Tamra and Dale in search of lava, landscapes and tropical flora.  First up, a doors-off helicopter ride above the vast lava fields and macadamia nut orchards.  Whilst the chopper hovered low for photographs, the heat from the steaming lava just below was palpable.  The following afternoon involved a 7-mile trek across the hot and shade-less lava field in pursuit of molten lava flows. The smooth and ropy pahoehoe lava is mesmerizing.  Botanical gardens, black sand beaches, rain forests, volcanoes and the occasional loco moco at Cafe 100 made for a spectacular and fun week photographing on the Big Island.