The Ryukyu Flying Fox in Flight Under Blue Skies

 Supposed to Be Nocturnal

Many times you can spot them early in the morning or evening when it's not dark outside.

When I take a long hike, to view the sunrise over the ocean, sometimes I'm disappointed.

Clouds on the horizon blocked the sunrise this morning so I had to find a different subject.

It was about 7:30 AM when I decided to pack up and start the long walk home.

Usually, I'd have taken a few dozen photos of birds but, today nothing of interest appeared.

My backpack was lifted and slung over the shoulders and I was ready to fold the tripod.

All of a sudden this Pteropus dasymallus flew out of a tree right near me!

They're Fruit Bats

Nothing to panic over, these critters don't fly around biting people or their pets.

Fruit farmers get upset with them, for snatching their crops but, they are also helping.

They keep things growing by spreading the pollen of flowers from plant to plant.

They are relatively harmless to humans except for one thing I can think of.

Don't look up in the sky (with your mouth open) when they're flying overhead.

They could squirt something in your face and, I hear it doesn't taste good!

Previous Post: Endangered Bat

Day Trip to Naha: This Was a Hoot

Not Wild About City Life

Far away from the populated areas is where I'm usually most comfortable.

But, it gets so hot and humid here during August, I won't even go to the beach.

Blue skies would have tempted me but, Wednesday it was hot and hazy

It was one of those days, outdoor photography wasn't going to happen.

Indoor Owl Adventure

A week earlier, I had seen this attraction and brought home some literature about it.

Doc and I were trying to decide, where would be a good place to go on a hot summer day.

The Owl Adventure Park in Naha City might have a comfortable environment.

Miniature Zoo in Shopping District

This is really an unlikely spot to find a little jungle/zoo. It required some investigation.

They call it an animal kingdom and, it's stuffed on the second floor of this tiny shop.

It's easy to get lost in the alleyways so, Google Maps is the best guide, to use.

Ticket Information

Not knowing what we'd be getting in to, the Standard Plan seemed reasonable.

The equivalent of $10.00 to $15.00 to enter a second story room or two, wasn't our style.

Who wants to pay that much to enter a room containing wild animals and children?

Wise old dudes, we went with 880 Yen and, promised to act like adults.

At the top of the stairs, we paid for tickets and the manager gave us hand sterilizer.

They don't need someone bringing strange viruses into the bird's environment.

Family Friendly

Staff members assist with the handling of birds and show you how to hold them.

This family was happy to pose for my camera. They had paid full price, to hold the owls.

Taking your own photos is permitted but, no flash may be used.

Notice the gloved hands, where birds perch, grasping with their little yellow feet.

A staff member showed visitors, how gently a bird pecks at your hands and, won't harm you.

She was observed helping customers take smartphone photos, as well.

Viewing Birds on the Cheap Ticket

Nature and wildlife photography are favorites of mine. Captive animals make me groan.

A few times in my life, I've been caged. Nobody really needs to know why. Alright?

To catch the bird's eyes requires some talking, clucking and rapid-fire shooting.

The owls you see may not be native to this country. They're from around the globe.

They seem somewhat domesticated and used to being around humans.

They are well fed and even, get every other day off, away from the public.

The jungle, surrounding them, is mostly plastic-covered chain link fence.

When not tethered to a glove being held by a human, the owls are leashed to stands.

Sometimes, they remain so still, you'd think they were statues.

Try and focus, to take a photo and, they may move their head faster than lightning.

It's probably alright, to hold some species of animals in confinement, to educate the public.

I'd much rather see the birds in a larger enclosure where they could fly.

A more natural setting would give them some fresh air and live vegetation, to live in.

The Owl Lady

This was the golden-haired gal we met, going through the plastic jungle with our cameras.

She caught me tapping an owl on the head, to get its attention. Damn thing was fake.

Well, I had already figured that out. Next, we tried communicating.

Between my broken Japanese and her limited English, we did fine, I guess.

They sell tourist items, souvenirs like clocks, T-shirts, and dolls.

So, winding down the tour, I bought some owl dolls for granddaughters.

Ayame, the Owl Lady posed for me and, I told her we'd be back someday.

Maybe, I'll do a family-type visit with grandchildren one of these days.

Before we departed, she gave us some little owl charms, for free!

The attraction gets a Five Star Review from me, I enjoyed it more than, I had imagined.

What Could Make It Even Better?

Just a suggestion, I'd make and, they don't have to take my advice, to keep that rating.

It would be worth Twenty bucks or, 2000 Yen to go visit the owls enjoying their day off.

If they are in a room or enclosure, where they can fly around that would be awesome.

Supposing a guy could throw some live mice or rats, for the owls to swoop down and devour.

Wouldn't that be the ultimate Owl Adventure?

Stripes Okinawa: Owls Adventure Park

Facts About Owls

They used to feed Christians to the Lions!

Endangered Bat - The Ryukyu Flying Fox

Someday Might Become Extinct

This 2008 image was found and cleaned for presentation and, the research was done today.

It started last week, when a gal asked me, "Are those owls, flying around here at night?"

Out behind my office, the visitor from Hawaii, caught me while on a smoke break.

There haven't been any owls, spotted by me, in the few years, I've occupied this office.

She mentioned, the critters hang from telephone wires, upside down and, I knew immediately.

She was talking about the Ryukyu Flying Fox, which is a Fruit Bat.

Scientific Name: Pteropus dasymallus 

Five subspecies of this animal, exist in the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan and the Philippines.

First the Fun Facts

• These bats, won't bite people. So, don't scream as, they swoop down and surprise you.
• They are nocturnal and, usually start flying as the sun is going down. During daylight hours, they hang in trees and, are fairly well camouflaged.
• Adults, with a wingspan of a meter (3 feet) make a good swooshing sound, when they flap.
• Fruit Bats, don't have radar, like others. They navigate, using their eyes and ears and fur.
• The diet of these flying foxes is mainly fruit and leaves, with an occasional insect.

Holy Bat Shitman !

Bats are categorized differently, from one country to another, based upon population size.

At one point the species was declared extinct, in Taiwan. But, somebody spotted, two.

Squirrels, feral cats, dogs, typhoons, deforestation and hunting, wipe the bats out.

Critically endangered on the Japanese Red List, these bats have been declared Natural Treasures.

The IUCN Red List has this bat listed as Vulnerable.

But, they go on to say, "Local illegal cults, operated by farmers in response to crop damage, 

are a major threat, which has been ignored, so far."

In the Philippines (Not all bad people) on certain islands, the bats, have it worse.

Poachers, go after these bats because, they are considered, a delicacy !

REFERENCES

Animal Diversity Web

Animal Info & Endangered Animals

Encyclopedia of Life

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Wildcat Facts and Photos - Iriomote Yamaneko

Critically Endangered Species

Scientific Name: Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis

Japanese Name: イリオモテヤマネコ - Iriomote Yamaneko

English Name: Iriomote Mountain Cat

Thousands of years ago this little critter evolved from the Leopard Family.

It can climb trees and swim wherever or whenever, it wants to.

It eats bugs, frogs, snakes, rats, birds, wild boar and fresh or saltwater fish.

A critically endangered species, there are probably only 100 remaining in the wild.

The animal is a national monument and protected in Japan, to conserve the breed.

The wildcat lives at less than 200 meters elevation in the mountains and wetlands.

When, It wants some seafood, it has to cross the only highway on the island.

When, you see this Japanese in the road, slow down. It says "Cat Crossing."

There are no know, natural predators to destroy or eat these rare and endangered felines.

The biggest contributor, to their demise, is human beings.

For folks who can't read, they posted these warning signs, to let you know, "Cat Country."

Learn more about Yamaneko

NOTE: Before everybody starts asking, I didn't shoot the Yamaneko in the wild.

The two wildcat photos above were taken indoors.  My favorite, off a TV screen !

Visit: Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center

Rant: About Mongooses

Meerkats in a Zoo

 

 

These rascals were spotted in a cage at the zoo and, are probably treated alright.

I'm not too thrilled, about seeing any wildlife held captive.

But, sometimes if, it's to preserve a species from going extinct, that's sort of OK.

Animal experts, can teach youngsters about the critters and, know how to care for them.

An alert reader contacted me today and, gave me this photo.

This meerkat is in a glass cage at a pet store and, it's for sale.

Unlike its furry friends pictured above, it probably, doesn't have a trained caretaker.

What will surely happen is, it will be bought by someone as an exotic pet.

And, when the cuteness (kawaii) wears off, you can guess where it will go.

Now for the Rant

 

Early in the last Century seventeen mongooses were brought to Okinawa.

The population, increased to somewhere around 30,000 and these critters are destructive !

The brilliant scientists, who brought them here, thought they knew what they were doing.

One jackass professor's name, was pointed out on an earlier blog. 

A little research was done, to learn more about the meerkat.

I learned that meerkats come from the mongoose family, over at Live Science .

They have more about these pretty colored mongooses at Meerkat Network, too.

If, you don't trust those sources, checkout National Geographic.

Okinawa has enough problems with mongooses, already.

Do You Think They Should Be Allowed to Sell Meerkats in Pet Stores ?

Hot Enough to Go Swimming with the Bulls

Okinawa Rainy Season Ended

 

 

That means festival season and plenty of hot, humid, sunny days in the near future.

After a trip to the northern extremes of the island, Doc and, I went to visit the water buffaloes.

Just as we turned the corner, heading into Nature Mirai, we spotted this.

One barefooted dude, was leading four of the animals into the Okukubi River.

There are all sorts of things to do at this location.

In the past, I have seen people kayaking, camping, barbecuing  and, partying here.

The Mud Festival goes in this area each year and they have live bands on occasions.

It looks like, I better start carrying a bathing suit in my camera bag.

It would be fun, to go swimming with the bulls.

That would be a great thing to write about for Nature Mirai Experiences !

2014 The Year of the Horse Started Today

So Happy New Year Again !

 

 

Really, I'm not much into astrology or anything like that.

But, this is Okinawa and we believe in celebrating every chance we get.

This poster was in the window of the Nisshudo Cave ticket office.

It was a lot easier to get a photo of than, a real horse so, I shot it for you.

A Little Explanation is Required

 

The Chinese New Year started on January 31, 2014.

The Year of the Horse started February 4, 2014.

Don't ask how many bars I went to, trying to decipher this for you but, I gotterdun.

Out there beating the bushes and buying drinks, I bet I talked to 100 people.

Most of them don't know or, even care why the new year started on two different dates.

It was starting to make me think that way, too. Don't ask questions; just celebrate.

 

Blame All the Confusion on Chinese Astrologers

 

 

The lunar calendar, was developed by astronomers not, those other quacks.

So, every once in awhile, instead of having a Leap Year, the Chinese have a Leap Month.

That makes perfectly good sense, to me.

The Astrologers use yin-yang, 12 animals and five elements to do their witching.

The New Year began on the 31st of last month.

But, the first day of the horse, wasn't until today so, it's the start of the Year of the Horse.

For those who really want to study this sort of stuff, here's a link.

Not wanting to offend anyone, it all makes perfectly good nonsense, to me.

So, once again, Happy New Year.

I think I'll go grab a beer !

Canon G12 on a Dog Walk Nabs a Butterfly (Images)

No Animals Harmed in this Series

 

The DSLR's are resting for a big event tomorrow and, I'm supposed to be, too.

When the wife and I took the dogs for a walk, I slipped the G12 in a cargo pocket.

She walks the little white rat, I take the huskies.

We were almost home when the missus spotted this butterfly.

These days, you can never be too careful.

Gizmo, checks things out.  Friend or, foe; we gotta know, before I start shooting.

All clear.  The subject is unarmed.

With the little Powershot, I pointed and shot from the west.

Then, snapped one to show you the road heading from east to west.

The butterfly is a Blue Triangle.

If I was smart, I'd stuff that Canon G12 in my cargo pocket, everyday !

The Critters of UNESCO World Heritage Shuri Castle Pond

This Part of the Castle is Free

 

Today, the mission was supposed to be take pictures of a building on the pond.

The wildlife lens got left behind because, no critters were going to be shot.

Walking to the site Doc Graff and I  spotted these animals.

And he knows what that means.  Castle buildings can wait.

Because, I can be like a little kid in a candy store when there are critters around.

This turtle looked like he was trying to hitch a ride. That's what I'd tell the kids, anyway.

Moving around the pond, we saw all kinds and colors of fish.

The big ones are carp.  The little guys and turtles seemed to get along fine with them.

Nobody would pose so, plenty of digital film was used to capture these shots.

Who cares about UNESCO stuff, when these beauties are putting on a show ?

Not me.

The golden one was my favorite.

When I realized, about an hour later, we had to get moving, we ran across these ducks.

Some gals were feeding them.

Look at those little rascals.  

Click, Click, Click.  There was no sense passing this opportunity up.

Waiting for one to separate from the herd was the hardest part.

Just in case the boss thinks I wasn't at the Shuri Castle Pond, I took this photo.

Now I know, it can be called Ryutan Pond or, Iyugumui and, they made it in 1427.

Another thing.  I took five or six photos of the building, I was supposed to shoot.

  Got over 300 pictures of critters, though.

If you visit Shuri Castle you shouldn't miss this pond.

Everything there was FREE !

Animal Photo of the Week: Let's Get It On !

Some hilarious things happened at the Sesoko Island goat fights Sunday.

There will be a story about goat fights in Okinawa, Japan one of these days.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd share this photo.

One goat leaped, like a kangaroo, while the other one just shook his beard.

All I could imagine was, he must have been thinking, "Let's get it on, Bubba" !

A Wet Puppy Kinda Day (Photo)

When the weather turns to crap on my island paradise my attitude takes a turn, too.

Well, the day before yesterday was one of those days. Freezing cold rain, the wind blowing down from North Korea or one of those other countries that don't like me and it made me mean.

When Siberian Huskies don't want to go out for a morning walk, humans should stay in bed.

But, being who I am, I went out. I wore three jackets on top of a flannel shirt.

An umbrella was out of the question; the wind would destroy it or I'd go flying.

So, me and my old bones walked and creaked over to the office.

About 10AM the store across the street opens and I ran over to buy some coffee.

There was a woman sitting on a beer crate in the corner. I got my coffee and paid the cashier.

The gal sitting on the crate, all bundled up in winter clothes asks me if I want a "Kawaii Puppy".

Kawaii, means "cute" in Japanese.

As politely as I could, in my limited Japanese vocabulary, I said "Hell no, I have too many kawaii puppies of my own, already"!

Well, apparently, I didn't hear her right. She just wanted to show me her kawaii puppy.

She had the little guy stuffed in her pocket.

So, I said "Kawaii" and grabbed my coffee and ran back across the street in the freezing rain.

Before I sat down it hit me. It was a crappy wet puppy kinda day outside.

The gal had stuffed her puppy in her pocket to keep it warm and dry.

She knew I liked dogs because everybody in the village (who doesn't know my name) calls me "The old man with the dogs".

The poor gal was just trying to be friendly and probably thought I was a grouch.

And I was. That wasn't the way I'd have talked on a sunny day.

So, I grabbed my cell phone and ran back across the street to ask if I could see the kawaii puppy one more time.

I patted him on the head and said "Good Boy" and asked if I could take his picture.

So, there you have it. This is what a warm and dry kawaii puppy looks like when somebody cares enough about them to stuff them in a pocket on a wet puppy kinda day.

VISIT MY WEBSITE TO VIEW THE PHOTO OF THE DAY.

PHOTO ESSAY: SHOOT YOUR PUPPIES

THE FOLLOWING UNPROFESSIONAL PHOTOS

WERE NOT TAKEN BY ME

THEY WERE TAKEN WITH A FILM CAMERA AND DEVELOPED

I SHOT PHOTOS OF THE PICTURES WITH MY CELL-PHONE

TO ILLUSTRATE

WHAT I'LL DO NEXT TIME I GET SOME BRAND-NEW PUPPIES

WHEN THEY'RE LITTLE

YOU CAN PICK TWO OF THEM UP WITH ONE HAND

LITTLE HUSKY MUTTS

THEIR EARS ARE BENT AND DON'T STAND UP

PUT THEM NEXT TO SOMETHING

TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF SCALE

SHOOT THEM ONCE A MONTH

AND WATCH THEM GROW

LOOK !  THE BLACK DOG HAS ONE EAR  STANDING UP

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT

THEY GET BIG AND UGLY

SO, SHOOT THEM ONCE A MONTH

AND YOU CAN MAKE A NICE ALBUM

FULL OF CUTE PUPPIES