Owls Can't Move Their Eyes Like We Do

 Here's A Closeup Look 

This Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica) is an owl photographed in Okinawa, Japan.

The Japanese would call it (アオバズク) Aobazuku. 

It's a medium-sized owl that's a subspecies of the Brown Hawk Owl.

Notice it has a round-shaped head without any ear-tufts sticking out of it.

Bright yellow eyes, some folks think are comical (not me), and yellow talons are noticeable.

Other identifying marks are the dark brown feathers with brown and white streaks upfront.

The bird also has a distinctive black beak.

Hang on for the Eyeball Part!

It took a while for me to get proof from National Geographic that owls can't move their eyes.

They have to swivel their heads around because their eyeballs aren't in sockets like ours.

Here's an animation, made from several photos, of the bird looking around for prey.

It was the morning before a typhoon so, things are kind of misty and windy.

These birds are found in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

They hang out in wooded areas and forests up to 1700 meters in elevation.

The bird is a raptor that catches insects in flight and that's not all they eat.

They've been known to grab smaller birds, lizards, and bats.

See more about this Northern Boobook at:

Avibase

National Geographic

Wikipedia

Alien Frog: This One Doesn't Belong in Okinawa

My Lunch Almost Got Lost

Here, I thought it was my lucky day.  This unusual-looking frog was on the sidewalk.

Nothing like this has ever crossed my path before. It must be a rare one, I figured.

Not every frog, I see gets this special treatment. I emptied my lunch bag, to capture him.

Thinking I had found some endangered species, I hurried to the office, to get some photos.

The frog was placed in the rock garden out back and, I quickly grabbed a camera, to shoot it.

Five or six clicks of the shutter and, the rascal jumped, so high, I don't know where he landed !

Then, I looked at my empty lunch bag and remembered. My food was on somebody's wall.

It was only a two minute trip, to rescue that, before some homeless dude, snatched it.

On a Full Stomach Research Was Easy

Type into a search "Okinawa Frog with stripes on legs" and, that's how I found out.

This critter is a Polypedates leucomystax and, doesn't belong on this island.

If, you spot one, grind it up and feed it to stray cats or, homeless people.

They are found throughout Asia, according to Amphibia Web but, we don't want them here.

They say, they are a charming species at Ecology Asia.  Well, come and get them, y'all.

The frog makes a loud quack, DNA Singapore, tells me. We have enough quacks already.

Get your invasive, alien frogs out of here, we have our own frogs, to worry about.

The import, transport and keeping of these amphibians, is against the law, in Japan.

Next time, I see one, I'll squish it and, turn it over to the authorities, dead or alive.

Gee. I wonder if there's a bounty, to be collected ?

Common Names for this alien are:

Asian Brown Treefrog, Common Tree Frog, Four-lined Tree Frog and Golden Tree Frog.

Flower Photo: Kwanso (ウクワンソ) Orange Day Lily

How About Some Tranquility Tea ?

 

 

In the Western world no mention is made of this plant's magical qualities.

But, if you poke around on some of the Asian websites, you can learn a few things.

The common name Daylily, comes from the fact: The flower opens, only for one day.

Scientists and botanists would call this plant, Hemerocallis fulva. 

See all the varieties of the flower at Dave's Garden. 

Learn how to grow and maintain these flowers at Missouri Botanical Garden. 

This Little Bird (Photo) Went to Australia and Other Stuff

Could an Exciting Week Get Even More Excitinger ?

 

 

 

Mr. Spelchek smarty pants, I know, it ain't a real word.

It just tickled me pink when I got the email from JNTO Australia, today.



They published some of my photos and a blog, I wrote about Cherry Blossom Season.

It all started a few weeks ago when I visited the Japan National Tourism Organization.

They have a website in Australia.

If you are an Australian and, visited Japan, you can write on their blog.

Well, I'm from the USA but, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Here's the reply I received:

"Hi Michael,

Thank you for your enquiry.

We would be happy to receive a blog article on the Ryukyu Islands from you, but before we can commit to publishing it, we need to see it first.

Furthermore, please keep in mind that the article has to be informative and relevant to our Australian audience."

That Sounded Pretty Tough but, Didn't Scare Me

 

See, I have friends in Australia.  Some, I talk to (online) every day.

So, I had to figure out how to write something.....

....."informative and relevant to our Australian audience."

Well, I got thinking, "It's hotter than hell, in Okinawa during the month of August.

So, it must be freezing, in the Land Down Under."

Then, when January/February roll around, it might be hot as hell down in Oz.

BINGO !

The people in Australia could visit Okinawa, Japan when it's comfortably cool.

And, we have Cherry Blossom season !

The hardest part, for me, was making sure I didn't use two words.

"Colors and Favorite."

They spell them differently and, I don't want Mr. Spelchek, yelling at me !

Now, my little bird picture is down in Australia.

 

What's the Even More Excitinger Stuff ?

 

 

More of my photography went to the National Geographic Channel !

Sworn to secrecy, until after it airs, you'll have to wait for me to show you but, checkout

I Wouldn't Go In There

A guy named Robert Joe (RJ) from National Geographic, documents spooky stories in Asia.

There's probably, a photo of mine, over there.

 

Travel Agent Academy: River Cruises

River Cruises Have Ocean Liners Beat

That piece of paper I got today was the toughest course I've had at the Travel Agent Academy.

What happened, was, I thought I'd get educated on river boats in Asia.

That's because I saw some cool boat pictures from a travel site in Malaysia.

Asia, happens to be where I spend most of my life.

To become a River Cruise Specialist, you have to study the whole world.

GROAN

It was like taking all the World History and Geography classes I ever had and,

CRAMMING THEM INTO THREE TESTS !

Today, I saw Europe, Russia, Egypt and all the places in Asia where big boats don't go.

Not only did I learn about the longest rivers in Europe, Russia and China.

They even told me where General George Patton is buried.

And, now I know where the biggest parliament building in the world is located.

River Cruises Are in Demand

 

People want to get off the beaten path to experience something different and new.

It's an exploding market worth, learning about so, that's why I went back to school.

Banged my head, a few times but, I gotterdun !

Travel Agent Academy Round Three

What a way to spend a Saturday morning.

It started off with some sunshine so, the dogs got an early walk on the beach.

The weather took a turn for the worse by the time I got to the office.

So, there wouldn't be any excursions in to the wilderness today.

There are still plenty of goat fight and wildlife photos waiting development.

But, I decided to take a peek at the Travel Agent Academy, instead.

They already certified me as a Japan and Asia Specialist.

Cruise Lines International Association had something, just right, for me.

For round three, I went and took the tests to become a Cruise Specialist.

Gotterdun !

Flower Photo: Ixora Chinensis from Okinawa, Japan

This flower grows almost everywhere in Okinawa and may be found throughout Asia.

In Japan, it is called Sandanka.

Today Doc Graff and I were on a mission down at the southern end of the island.

It's been awhile since I posted any new flowers so we decided to stop at the DIY store.

That's where I shot photos of the Fox Face plant and thought I was going to jail.

This time, though, I had a plan.

It went like this. Find a plant with nice flowers and some sort of name on it.

Pay for the thing. Get out of the store. Take it home and shoot as many photos as you like.

That's what I did. Only, I took it to my new office.

The place is still under construction.

So, this is all you get to see.

Should I take the flowers home ?

Say something like, "Look, sweetheart. I was thinking about you today."

Er, maybe I should wait until right after I do something real stupid.

And get out of jail !

Learn more about Ixora Chinensis here.

A Belated Happy Birthday Buddha, Wherever You Are !

It's been quite awhile since I did a post for Travel Photo Thursday.

So, before digging through the photo files, I visited Budget Travelers Sandbox.

And, found out I missed Buddha's birthday celebrations in Seoul, Korea.

That's why I dug up this Buddha photo.

The smiling Buddha is probably the most recognized one around the world.

But, there are many other Buddha statues and many other Buddhas.

An excellent article on the topic can be found at Muza-chan's Gate to Japan. 

The smiling Buddha is my favorite but, I don't want to take sides.

So, Happy Birthday Buddha, wherever you are !


RELATED POST:  

BUDDHIST STATUE OF SHINRAN SHONIN IN NYC: GIVE IT BACK ! 

Wildlife Photo: Common Map Butterfly (Cyrestis thyodamas)

Known as the Ishigakecho, in Japan, this is a Common Map Butterfly.

They can be seen almost anywhere you go in Okinawa and lots of other places in Asia.

The wings look like they are a little busted-up but, that's normal for these characters.

Somebody at The Indian Foundation for Butterflies put together a neat

collection of these critters, at various stages in their life cycle.

You might want to take a look at it.

That way you won't accidentally step on one of the caterpillars and squish it or,

worse yet, sit on one of their eggs when you go for a nature walk !

Squatter Toilet in Japan: An Insider's Tips

IN THE VERY LIKELY EVENT YOU COME ACROSS ONE OF THESE TOILETS IN JAPAN OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN ASIA HERE ARE MY TIPS:

1. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE IF YOU CAN HOLD IT !

2. IF THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A LADY, YOU HAVE TO SQUAT.

3. FACING TOWARDS THE ELEVATED END IS THE PROPER WAY TO ORIENT YOURSELF.

4. SEE THE PIPE IN THE UPPER-RIGHT CORNER?

NOT ALL SQUATTERS HAVE RUNNING WATER. THIS IS A NEW ONE.

5. BEFORE YOU GET TOO COMFORTABLE,

CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS TOILET PAPER.

6. THINK OF HAVING SOMETHING TO GRAB AHOLD OF IN CASE YOU LOOSE YOUR BALANCE AND YOU'LL NEVER FORGET WHICH WAY TO FACE ON YE OLD SQUATTER.

CONFUCIOUS OR SOME DOCTOR ONCE SAID THIS IS THE HEALTHIEST WAY FOR YOUR BODY TO DO BOWEL MOVEMENTS.

I SAY AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS BODIES WEREN'T MADE FOR THIS KIND OF GYRATION AND UNLESS IT'S AN EMERGERCY, STICK TO TIP #1.

Yesterday's Shoot

This was just one of the 111 shots I came home with yesterday. Still have 200 or so to develop from last Sunday's excursion and 200 from Saturday's shoot of the youngest Granddaughters' Sports Day event. To be continued.....