[BroJoeK]

Homer: "Here’s a challenge: Which aircraft carrier is pictured? Probably the last picture is the best for identifying the ship.
I’ll take a stab and say Enterprise, because that is the only one I know for sure was in the Pacific (the only hint given in the captions.)
I know Saratoga will be in the Pacific within two months. Other possibilities are Hornet and Yorktown, but I don’t know where they are at the moment.
Do the Japanese?"

You'd think by now we'd know these by heart, but I still have to look them up.
As of December 7, 1941 US aircraft carriers:

1. Enterprise with Vice Admiral Halsey in command is on its way back from Wake Island, fully prepared for action.

2. Lexington with Rear Admiral Newton in command is on its way to Midway, not expecting or prepared for anything.

3. Saratoga is just pulling into San Diego harbor after overhaul in Bremerton, Washington.

4. Yorktown, Ranger and Wasp are in the Atlantic fleet.
   Yorktown will sail first for the Pacific, on December 16.

5. Hornet commissioned in October is still on shake-down.

So when did Lexington first arrive in Hawaii?
No exact date, just "fall of 1941".
But the ships have very distinctive shapes:

USS Enterprise:

USS Lexington:
So I'm saying today's photos are of Lady Lex.

As for the Japanese... oh, yes, they kept very close tabs on all US ships in and out of Pearl Harbor.

[magslinger]

The Big E and Lady Lex were shuttling fighters to Midway Island and the ‘Canal at the time.
IIRC the Japanese Empire had a consulate in Honolulu at the time. Their military intelligence specialist(s) needed only to go to the bars near the gate and listen to get a pretty good idea of what ships were in port.

[PAR35]

I’ll take a stab and say Enterprise

Not the Enterprise. Those look like 8" guns. The Enterprise only had 5 inch guns for the main battery.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I'm saying today's photos are of Lady Lex.

I'm not yet convinced, even taking my copy in hand and holding it up to the screen. In the Times picture, where is that big monolith-looking superstructure (which is what, by the way?). It should be visible, even if it is directly behind the smaller one showing. And I don't see that big gun turret in either of your photos. Where is Hornet shaking down? And why not Saratoga? Bremerton and San Diego are both Pacific ports.

[texanyankee]

Thanks..I was wondering what carrier it was as well.

I presume the nytimes didnt identify the carrier for security reasons?