April 2019 Full Moon Over Okinawa

Slim Chance of Seeing It Tonight

This image shows the moon at 99.3% full. Around 8 PM tonight it will be at 100%.

The Weather Channel on my iPhone shows clouds all day and tonight.

The moon may or, may not peek through the clouds this evening.

So, when I noticed it appear this morning, I went out behind the house and shot the sucker.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 MM with 1.4 converter for Focal Length 420 MM

Exposure: f/11  1/100   ISO 100

Date and Time: APR 19 2019 5:06 AM

Touring the Island

We'll be out there somewhere in Okinawa doing our usual Friday camera day.

It has been determined, the best excursions take place when we have no plans.

So, on Friday mornings, we just hop in a car and head off to locations unknown.

We decide North, South, East or West after the car doors are slammed.

Sometimes we'll hit all four directions in one day!

Tonight as the sun goes down I'll be checking the skies for a moon appearance.

If it decides to cooperate, I'll go out and shoot the sucker again.

Wordless Wednesday: Dam Warning Signs

Location: Kin Dam Lake

Wordless Wednesday: Another Lost Soul

Reflections Along the Okukubi River

Nature Therapy for the Soul

Lately I've been taking early morning hikes with the dog, trying to get him in shape.

Way before sunup, I'm out navigating Okinawa's east coast in Kin Town.

By the time the sun rises above surrounding hills and trees I'm walking along the river.

These birds, known as Black-winged Stilts entertained me, circling above the water.

It was 6:39 AM on April 8th, when this image was captured.

Can you remember what you were doing at the time?

Moving along the east bank of the river, I keep looking for interesting reflections to shoot.

Some of my Okinawa friends, who have moved off the island, will enjoy these photos.

They bring back memories of hours, spent on the river, enjoying nature photography.

Not actually planning on bird photography, I was using wide angle lenses.

It would be 7:15 AM by the time I reached this Kin Bypass bridge.

The dog and I, would continue our leisurely stroll all the way to the Kin Dam.

There, we would rest in the shade and take a refreshing water break.

If there's a river or lake near you, checkout the early morning light.

You might be surprised, what the scenery does for your spirits!

Google Maps Location 

Wordless Wednesday: Time to Reflect

Night After Supermoon MAR 2019

Missed the Supermoon last Night

Some people got a peek at the moon before clouds rolled in over Okinawa.

While it was still daylight, I saw it but, didn't bother to get the camera.

My plan was, to wake up early in the morning and catch the moon setting over the ocean.

Hah, the sky was completely whited-out at 4 AM.

Tonight, from the roof of my office, I caught this red moon around 7:30 PM.

The moon at this point is about 99.6 percent full and shrinking.

If, you missed the Full Moon last night, get out there right now and enjoy.

It's the last Supermoon for the ear 2019!

Wordless Wednesday: Supermoon Soon

Moon Phases 2019

Throwback Thursday for the Birds

A Forgotten Wordless Wednesday

Things got hectic around here yesterday and I was too busy to do a blog post.

We had to attend a few parties at relatives homes to celebrate, um, stuff.

Not familiar with this Throwback Thursday (#TBT) I did some research.

Among other things, I learned, you post an image at least 5 years old.

Here's one of my images National Geographic published back in 2010.

They say you can download it as a screensaver or wallpaper.

Don't ask me how to accomplish this sort of thievery.  I took a screenshot.

Have a peek over at Bird Wallpapers - National Geographic. 

The first photo is one of a parrot taking a bath in somebody's teacup.

When you get done laughing, go to number 2 in the slideshow, to find this picture.

You could figure out how to download the wallpaper for free.

Or, just send me about twenty-five bucks and, I'll email you the photo file.

I forgot Wordless Wednesday so, that's all I'm saying for Throwback Thursday. Amen

Sunflowers and the Wireless Shack

Early Morning Exercise Walk

Lately, I've been waking up way before sunrise and doing some hiking.

The goal is usually to reach 10,000 steps before the end of the day.

This morning the camera and dog accompanied me on this 17, 900 step excursion.

A field of Sunflowers is blooming and many folks a happy to see them.

After a miserable Winter, these signs of  Spring can brighten up anyone's day.

Walking carefully around the slippery, wet field I took several photos.

When I have the camera and a dog to walk these flowers are two hours away from home.

People living in the southern part of the island could get there quicker than me.

What's a Wireless Shack Got to Do with Anything?

This was something I came across as I was looking for important landmarks.

People are always asking me for directions so, I need to know special stuff.

Look closely at the photo above. See that white thing sticking out of the roof?

It's not a chimney. That's the Kin Town Electric Powerplant.

That shack got me thinking. It just needs a few more feet of wire to reach that power pole.

Then we could all sit down inside and watch color TV!

Directions to the Sunflower Field

Some Sunflower field photos were posted by me on Facebook. They were iPhone images.

Next thing I knew people began asking how to get to this location.

Everybody uses Google Maps these days so, I did a search of the area.

Not in the habit of doing Public Toilet Reviews, I did my first one today.

If you can locate this toilet on Google Maps, you'll find the flower fields,

Wordless Wednesday: Time for Launch

Wordless Wednesday: Off Her Rocker

Wordless Wednesday: Okinawa's Cloudy Supermoon FEB 2019

Wordless Wednesday: Grey-faced Buzzard

Wordless Wednesday: Wireless

Mural located in Motobu Museum

Peek at Cherry Blossoms in the Mountains of Motobu

Sakura Season Has Begun

A trip was made to Mt. Yae in northern Okinawa to check out the blossoms today.

The flowers are blooming in scattered fashion this year.

One tree may appear to be in full bloom and the next one might be bare.

So, you'll see families gathering around the best blooms for photos.

Not wanting to bother people for model releases, I just photographed the trees.

This year, for the first time, requests were made for donations on the drive up the hill.

Normal sized cars and motorcycles are asked to give 500 Yen.

This is to help maintain the trees, roads, and facilities associated with the festival.

That's a reasonable amount so, I gave them a thousand Yen and said, "Keep the change."

Last year's typhoons got the cherry trees confused and they were blossoming in Autumn.

It's rare to see the pink flowers and green leaves sprouting at the same time.

Normally, the blossoms are gone before the green leaves cover the trees.

It may get busy on the mountain this weekend especially if the weather cooperates.

The fresh air can be a little chilly but, it's refreshing when hiking up those hills.

Folks who have to go to work on weekdays should get up there this weekend.

Something tells me, it won't get much better than this in the coming weeks.

For directions try Google Maps

Wordless Wednesday: Downtown Crackdown

Wordless Wednesday: A Spiral Not Out of Control

JAN 2019 Full Moon Seen in Okinawa Japan

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 MM with 1.4 Converter Focal Length 420 MM

Exposure: f/16   1/40   ISO 100

Location: Kin Town Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JAN 20 2019  7:40 PM

Wordless Wednesday: Affordable Beachfront Property

Wordless Wednesday: This Ain't No Yurt

Earth Bag Housing Project