Thursday, June 28, 2018

Chasing the June Full Moon

3 Favorite Images


helicopter, military,moon, Okinawa, Japan


When the weather cooperates three days can be spent doing moon photography.

Sometimes rain or clouds will ruin an evening shoot so, it's best to shoot every chance you get.

This military helicopter passed in front of the rising moon on June 27th at 7:05 PM.

The pilot should contact me if, he or she wants a print of this photo.



astronomy, full-moon, moon set, Okinawa, Japan


Scientists claim the full moon has no effect on the behavior of humans or animals.

Well, I think they are all crazy. 

When the full moon is scheduled, my wife goes crazy trying to figure out if, I'll ever come home.

This is a photo of the moon setting in the west at 4:52 AM on June 28th.



astronomy, city, Ishikawa, moon, Okinawa


In this photo, the moon is setting above Ishikawa, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan.

It was 5:21 AM on June 28, 2018, and, would be my last shot before heading home.

When I got home the wife told me she had woken at 4 AM and was worried.

It seems like the dog and her husband had been missing and, left the front door open.

The scientists, who want to learn about lunar effects, should come and talk to me!

Thursday, June 21, 2018

12 Photos from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Minimum Commentary


This attraction has been open for over 15 years and, I made my first visit yesterday.

Over 100 photos were taken and, I'll probably go back there again, to do some more.



aquarium, Churaumi,Motobu, Okinawa, travel


A traveler could easily spend more than a few hours observing sea life in this attraction.



aquarium, Churaumi, fish, Motobu, Okinawa, travel


The cost per person is under $20.00 or, 2,000 Japanese Yen.



aquarium, Churaumi, fish, Okinawa, travel


There must be hundreds of species living together in the saltwater tanks.



aquarium, fish, Okinawa, travel


The building is climate controlled so, it's always comfortable, even when the weather isn't.



aquarium, Churaumi, fish, Okinawa, people, travel


It can become crowded but, watching people is as entertaining as, watching fish.



aquarium, Churaumi, people,Okinawa, travel, silhouettes


Some people do travel reviews and complain about crowds of Chinese tourists. Don't know why.

I love Chinese. Especially takeout orders of Chow Mein and Chop Suey!



aquarium, Churaumi, fish, diver, travel, Okinawa


This aquarium has successfully bred corals and some fish in captivity. That's a first.

They haven't tried humans, yet from my personal observations but, you never know.



aquarium, fish, people, tourists, Okinawa


Divers in the tank stay busy, cleaning and avoiding big sharks.

More than likely, they don't even think about breeding, while they are in the aquarium.



aquarium, Churaumi, English, Japanese, sign


The fish tanks were constructed using 603 MM thick plastic glass.

That means the fish tank walls are about two feet thick, according to my calculations.



aquarium, child, Churaumi, Okinawa, photography, travel


This attraction can be educational for children, as well as, adults.

That boy will become a photographer. I can tell.



aquarium, English, Japanese, sign, Churaumi, Okinawa


Churaumi keeps the environment as natural as possible for creatures of the deep blue sea.



aquarium, fish, Okinawa, travel


To learn more about Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium visit the website.

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Two Old Favorite Shisa in Yaese Town Okinawa

Shisa, stone lions, legend, travel, history, Okinawa


Tomori Stone Lion



There are 14 of these original stone lions  (Shisa) to be found in Yaese.

The most famous is the bullet scared one pictured above.

It's considered the granddaddy of them all and has been written about extensively.

See Doc Graff's version of the legend at Apogee Photo Magazine.

Yesterday, three of us went out and visited some of the antique Shisa statues down south.

Lighting conditions were fairly horrible but, we had fun anyway.

One old dude (named Jerry) had never seen these statues before so, we felt like tour guides.

I'd post a photo of him doing photography but, am waiting for his approval.

People can take you to court if, you don't have permission to publish their photo.

This guy is older and probably wiser than me so, you'll have to keep on waiting.




Kogusuku Nise Ishi, shisa, stone lion, Okinawa, travel



Kogusuku Nise Ishi



This one doesn't look like much but, it's becoming as famous with tourists as the one above.

Over the years, I have noticed improvements to the sites and the ease of access.

Convenient parking, stairways and, trimming of vegetation are bonuses.

Getting out to find local treasures can be a chore when you're sweating swatting bugs.

These statues are easy to reach and even have stairs with handrails, to assist you in climbing.




historical marker, sign, English, Japanese, folklore, Okinawa



No Typing Necessary



Here they placed a sign, giving the story in English and Japanese.

In case you're new around here let me tell you, "I Hate Typing."

Whenever you see a sign like this, you should shoot it with your camera.

That way, it won't require translation and, writing a short story becomes simple!



Visit the Stone Shisa of Yaese