Wordless Wednesday: Okurareruka--オクラレルカ--Iris

Related Post: It's Almost Okurareruka Time of Year

Flower Photos: Iris Fields in Kijoka District of Ogimi Okinawa

Okurareruka (オクラレルカ) is What Locals Call Them

 

 

The fields were in full bloom last weekend and, there are still many purple flowers to see.

For me, going early or, late in the season is much more relaxing.

Weekend crowds, tour buses and mobs of people, posing for pictures can be annoying.

It's more fun, even when the skies are grey, when few visitors come to the fields.

The sky is easily eliminated, when close-up shots, fill the camera frame.

So, I just go around the fields, looking for which ever iris plants, I want to be subjects.

The fields are flooded with water so, it isn't easy to get closeup shots.

The best thing to do, is stand on the dikes and use a zoom lens if, you want to stay dry.

Some folks, say these iris flowers, look like a dragon, sticking its tongue out.

So, I go looking for flowers that might fit that description and, shoot them.

When, I think the mission has been accomplished, I back-off and take one last photo.

Then, buy some flowers, to take home to the wife.

Tell her, it was a terrible day, up there, she won't feel like she missed out on something.

The flowers, I bring home, make her happy.  She'll look at this  image.

And, be glad I didn't drag her along with me.  Hah !

It's Almost Okurareruka (オクラレルカ) Time of the Year !

Friday in Kijoka

 

 

Just for the heck of it, we took a detour at Ogimi Village, to check the iris fields.

Just about every flower festival held this year, the flowers forgot to bloom on time.

It looks like the Okurareruka (Iris) flowers are getting ready to party, on schedule.

A few close-up shots were taken, to trick people in to visiting the iris fields.

But, if you really love viewing these flowers, it might be best to wait a bit longer.

Backing off a little bit with the lens, things look a little bit different, up there.

There's probably less than one percent of the plants blossoming.

The Missus in my house, goes crazy when, she hears the Okurareruka plants are blooming.

She'd be awful disappointed if, she went all the way up north, to see these fields.

 Guys, know what happens, when you take a woman out and, there aren't any flowers to see.

Who would want to take their wife, to see something like this ?

Figure, you are an hour away from home (by car) and, a woman came along with you.

She'll get angry and say something like, "Lets go shopping."  Groan ! 

Give that place enough time, to turn into a sea of purple.  That's my plan.

Maybe, in another two weeks, I'll say something to the wife, about Okurareruka flowers.

Related Posts:

Okinawa Iris Report and a Tip

Ten Photos from an Incredible Day in Iris Fields

Okinawa 2013 Iris (オクラレルカ) Report #3 and a Travel Tip

In Ogimi Okinawa the Iris Fields are Blooming

 

 

We went up there today even though it was raining and, it's a good thing.

After Iris Report #3 hits print everyone on the island will start heading north.

Before traveling look at these photos and be sure to read to my travel tip.

 These flowers we call Iris, bloom in some awesome colors.

Some look purple, others blue.  And, they have bright yellow on the petals.

They resemble a dragon, sticking its tongue out, according to legends.

 The breed of iris, called Okurareruka (オクラレルカ) locally, loves lots of water.

This plot of the flowers is just starting to bloom.  The photo was taken to give you an idea.

It can be pretty wet and slippery between those rows of plants.

Turning around, here's a view of the fields you'll want to visit with a camera.

 To shoot a photo like this, get real close or, use a zoom lens.

Some places, it's safe to walk between the flowers to take a close-up.

The whole valley is starting to bloom.  You could spend hours there on a nice sunny day.

Even though it was cloudy and wet, I had a blast and, forgot all about what time it was.

Another thing I forgot was, the place isn't flip-flop friendly.

Trying to cover the iris fields, from all angles, I stepped in the muck, a few times.

My travel tip: Wear boots or shoes and watch where you are going !

The ditch, in front of that construction sign, is a good place to wash-up if you forget !

Directions for the Village of Kijoka and Iris Fields of Ogimi.


UPDATE:  

Everyone should take the time to visit my "Always Entertaining Friend"

OKINAWA SOBA and Checkout his Iris Photos from 2013