Looking Back at 2013: Monthly Memories in Photos

Picking Out These Images Was Fun

 

 

 

A year sure does fly by in a hurry.

Going through the monthly files of undeveloped shots was a good idea.

It reminded me of all the places we've been.

And, assured me, I'll never run out of things to do if all my cameras just disappear, someday.

January

Grey Herons in Tomigusuku

 

February

Cosmos in Kin Town

 

March

Iris in Ogimi

 

April

No model release required

May

Itoman Port from above

 

June

At the Home of a Noro in Itoman



July

Sabani sailing in Ginoza

August

Live House Festival in Kin Town

 

September

Full Moon Festival in Kin Town

October

Grey Heron in flight over Yomitan

November

Unidentified blue berries on Mt. Yonaha

 

December

Observing a ritual in Hedo

The thought had occurred to me, someone could make a calendar out of a year's worth of photos.

Calendar making just isn't one of my acquired skills.

Ain't that a shame ?



Iris Lovers: Look at What I Found in Okinawa Today

The 2013 Iris Season is coming to Okinawa, Japan any day now.

Today, we were up in Ogimi to see if any iris plants were blooming. 

BINGO !

We found some.

Don't pack your bags and hurry over here, though.

 This is all you'll see if you get in too much of a rush.

A local farmer, I talked to told me the Iris Festival won't be for another two weeks, or so.

This could be considered my first Iris Report for the year.

What I'll probably do is, go back and checkup on the flowers, once a week.

That way everybody will know when those fields turn into a sea of purple.

It's always best, to get up there with a camera before busloads of tourists arrive.

And wear good walking shoes, not flip-flops.

When I went to take that first photo of a single iris, I slipped into the mud, up to my ankles.

It's pretty hard to get flip-flops out of the muck without breaking them.

My right flip-flop made a noise like, "Shhhhrecccccckkkkkkk" when I tried to pull my foot loose.

And, I said something like, "Gosh dang it."

Going to eat and do a review on a real fancy restaurant, after the iris field, I felt like a real clod.

There was mud all over my feet and trousers.

So, I sat where nobody would notice.

The next time I go up to checkout the iris plants, I think I'll wear shoes.

Ya Hu Hu Hu It's New Year's Eve All Over Again !

The Year of the Snake 2013

 

The Chinese New Year officially starts tomorrow.

That means I get to go out and celebrate New Year's Eve again tonight.

And, I have to practice saying, "Gung hay fat choy" just in case I run across any Chinese people.

There was this snake thing planted at the entrance to the Orchid Show.

It reminded me, I better start researching the Chinese Zodiac.

If you were born in the year of the snake you might be a really smart person.

But, if somebody messes with you they better watch out.  You'll attack them.

Snakes get along well with folks born in the year of the Dragon, Ox or Rooster.

But, they don't mix with Pigs or Tigers.

People who are afraid of snakes should come to Okinawa.

We have a place where you can hang around until you get comfortable with them.

Some people even bring along the whole family and take group portraits.

Snakes really aren't bad once you get to know them.

You can learn all about a snake's personality at Reader's Digest Asia.

That's where I found "Gung hay fat choy" and all the rest of the Chinese Zodiac.

It took me a while to figure out what "Gung hay fat choy" means.

Of all the places, I found the translation at USA Today.

It doesn't mean Happy New Year.

But, Happy Chinese New Year, to you and yours, anyway!

Snakes and a Shrine at Okinawa World (Photos)

2013 is the Year of the Snake

 

Today we took the cameras and visited Okinawa World.

The Year of the Snake means something special to the folks at the Habu Museum.

There is a snake shrine right in front of the snake house we went to visit.

Inside the Habu Museum I shot lots of snake photos.

Looking for Latin or, scientific names, was my mission.  Having them helps my research.

Next time, I should get the photographers names to give them credit for their photos.

There are photos of snakes, from around the world but, I'm just interested in Okinawa snakes, for now.

Like this rascal, here.  It's probably one of my favorite snake photos in the whole museum.

And, it is an Okinawan Habu.

This snake, crawling on a torii, is the real thing, a White Snake.

There's no need to worry about him biting you.  He's in a glass cage.

There was another mini-shrine inside the place with a White Snake and a coin box.

 People could put coins in the box, get their 2013 fortune and tie it to a rope.

A sign, I saw, said the snake came from Colorado, USA.  Hah !

Do you suppose he got a round trip ticket ?

 Outside, where the light was much better, is where these tree snakes were. 

 These guys are alive but, it's so cold out, they don't move around very much.

That's great for photography.  You can shoot at slow shutter speeds.

Here's something I learned at the snake house today.

The people who live around the Atlantic Ocean, don't have any sea snakes.

Did you know that ?

This sign caught my eye, too so, I wasn't going home without a photo of it.

It's the Year of the Snake !  Calling on all Snakes in Okinawa !

Get out there and party, Dudes !

Next month, I think I'll go back down to Okinawa World.

Put on some brand-new yellow flip-flops and walk that red carpet, that's what I'll do.

And, I'm going to toss some coins in the box, grab a fortune and ring the bell.

The Chinese New Year starts February 2013.

That's when 2013, the Year of the Snake really begins so, we should do it right !

Learn more about the Chinese Zodiac at TravelChinaGuide.

Visit my website for today's Feature Photo

Sakura (桜) Matsuri Grand Opening at Nakijin (Photos)

UNESCO Nakijin Castle January 2013

 

The Cherry Blossom Season started today at Nakijin Castle in Okinawa, Japan.

Here are photos taken at the Grand Opening Ceremonies.

 The action all took place outside the castle walls.

Shortly before sunset this PR lady welcomed everyone and strummed her sanshin.

As daylight faded away, the castle walls were lighted.

These young ladies danced on the stage, waving cherry blossom branches.

Out came the royalty.  I'm guessing they were the king and queen.

Sneaking over to shoot the sakura bearing girls I captured this photo.

It's a lot easier to get the girls to hold still when someone else has them posed for you.

A big attraction was this woman painting Kanji characters with a brush and can of paint.

Everybody crowded around to watch and take pictures.

This isn't something you see every day, around here.

Moving around as quick as I could, I got back to the king and queen.

Then, backed away from the scene, to do some castle wall shots.

Nakijin Castle looks like somebody painted the rocks when those lights shine on it at night.

 Everything they did, outside the castle walls was free.

To go inside the place, you have to buy a ticket.

As soon as the sakura are in full bloom, I'll go inside and take some photos for you.

More about Unesco Nakijin-jo