Did You Know McDonald's Has a McCafe in Okinawa ?

It looks like any other McDonald's from this side.

And, I'll be a sonovagun.  I didn't bring along a camera.

So, I took this snapshot with the handy, dandy cell-phone camera.

Now, the front of the building is a little different.

One of these days, I'll go back down there and shoot the whole place.

There's a big sign, out front, that says, McCafe.

And, when you get inside, they have a coffee counter that could put Starbucks out of business.

This place is down the road, just about six miles from my office.

It's in a town we used to call Ishikawa but, got renamed Uruma.

The place was so impressive, I did a TripAdvisor Review, as soon as I got back in my office.

They must have really liked what I said. Because it's already published.

See, I say stuff like, "Not that, I'm trying to loose my reputation, as a connoisseur, of fine dining."

And, they like to hear things like that so, they know you aren't taking bribes.

Or, do you suppose, they really liked that cell-phone photo ?

Six O' Eight AM on Red Beach Okinawa, Japan

Walking three dogs this morning without a camera.

The sun was rising and moon setting.  All I had was the cell-phone.

Why no camera ?

It would be easier walking three drunk monkeys and probably a lot more fun.

So, I leave the cameras at the office and just cuss at myself when a scene like this appears.

It's been a few years since I've seen the almost full moon set in skies like that.

So, I figured the cell phone camera would have to do.

And, I cussed a little.

Gizmo, the dog, he's OK.  Getting old and doesn't hear me so, we get along fine.

The other two dogs were behind me, acting like drunk monkeys.

Does anybody want one ?



Crazy Things Happen in Wildlife Photography

Before finishing the first can of iced coffee, even before 8AM, there I was.

The cell-phone tells me I missed a call and have an answer memo.

Even if I could hear, I wouldn't answer the dang thing.

When some strange wild critter shows up, right at the front office door, I gotta gettum.

People driving down the highway and, walking by wonder what's going on.

Three cameras, clicking away,  clothes strung out over the sidewalk and, I'm talking to a bug.

For over three hours, I was watching this thing, being born.

Close to 1,000 photos were downloaded from the cameras and I'm still developing them.

After another three hours of research online, I gave up.

Five photos of the critter were sent off to the Bug ID experts and I got one reply.

Someone told me ( I ain't making this up ) "The best option to identify is rear it".

The thing is in a cage, right now.  But, I have no idea what to feed it.

Hopefully, it eats dirt. That's what I threw in there with it.

Once a positive ID is made, I'll show everybody some pictures of the critter.

Anybody who wants to be a wildlife photographer should know something.

Crazy things happen to you.  Be prepared.

Walking Stick Insect

EVERY PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS BUT I'LL JUST GIVE A FEW TODAY AND LET SOMEONE ELSE TELL YOU THE REST OF THE STORY.

THIS HUMONGOUS BUG CAUGHT MY EYE ONE MORNING AS I WAS WALKING MY DOGS.

WE WERE HEADING TO THE BEACH ALONG THE EAST COAST OF OKINAWA.

MY CAMERA WAS AT HOME.  SOMETIMES, THAT'S WHAT I DO, I GIVE THE CAMERAS A DAY OFF.  AND THAT'S WHEN STUFF LIKE THIS HAPPENS.  SOMETHING LIKE THE BIGGEST BUG I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE SHOWS-UP !

SO, I TIED THE DOGS TO A GUARDRAIL, PUT THE CRITTER ON MY FLIP-FLOP AND SNAPPED THIS SHOT WITH THE CELLPHONE CAMERA, JUST TO GIVE IT A SENSE OF SCALE. I WEAR SIZE 11 CLODHOPPERS. I THINK THAT'D BE AROUND A SIZE 29 IN THE METRIC SHOE DEPARTMENT.  NOT SURE EXACTLY, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY HARD FINDING ANYTHING THAT FITS MY FEET IN MOST JAPANESE STORES.

A FEW YEARS AGO, I WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT DEAD WEARING PINK, ANYTHING. MY GRANDDAUGHTER PICKED THESE GEMS OUT FOR ME. WHAT'S A GUY GONNA DO ?

MY GRANDDAUGHTER COULD BUY ME A PINK-PLAID TUXEDO AND I'D WEAR THE DAMN THING JUST BECAUSE I LOVE HER.  THAT'S WHAT GRAMPAS DO.

ANYWAY, BACK TO THE BUG. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THESE CRITTERS, CLICK ON THE TITLE TO THIS POST.  A GUY NAMED JOHN LOCKE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA IN CANADA HAS THE WHOLE STORY. I'M PASTING A TEASER FROM HIM (HOPE HE DOESN'T MIND) IN HERE:

"Advantages of Walking Stick Pets:


They don't smell, which means that you can keep them anywhere in the house without worrying about "stinking-up-the-place" (eg. a child's bedroom).

They eat lettuce, which means that you don't have to grow exotic plants just to feed the insects.

They can't "infest" your house so you don't have to worry about any "escapees".

They teach children to care for life so they can be an ideal first pet for youngsters.

They have a life span of about one school year, which makes them ideal for a year-long school class project.

They have no wings so they can't fly and escape.

They walk relatively slowly and carefully, so they dont't scurry like roaches which tend to give "insecta-phobes" the "willies".

They can be handled easily by children without fear of being bitten or squishing them.

They don't need daily care. They can be left for several days (up to a week) without care (they don't need a baby-sitter for a weekend trip).

They can be used to teach children (and adults) the value of life.
 
Dis-advantages of Walking Stick Pets:


They breed well if cared for properly.

Special Exotic Pet Permits are usually needed in most locations. In North America and probably most countries, these are usually only given for research or special purposes and not for general pet use."

THERE IS A WARNING ABOUT THESE CRITTERS BECOMING PESTS IF RELEASED INTO THE WILD AND RESTRICTIONS ON HAVING THEM IN THE USA AND CANADA.

TODAY I HAVE A WEE BIT OF A HEADACHE FROM CELEBRATING WINNING ROUND TWO OF THE IMMIGRATION BATTLE. I WANT TO THANK MY STUMBLE FRIENDS FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS AND INSPIRATION. WHAT A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE !

TODAY IN MY SU MAIL I HAD STUFF LIKE THIS:

"I LIKE PRAYING MANTIS"  THAT'S WHAT GOT ME GOING ON THE STICK BUG.

" YOU'RE NOT A NATIVE?"  A RESULT OF ME GROANING ABOUT IMMIGRATIONS.

AND DOZENS OF MESSAGES CONGRATULATING ME HAVING GOTTEN THE VISA RENEWED.  PLUS, A FEW HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE HASSLES OTHER TRAVELERS HAVE HAD DOING THE IMMIGRATION GIG IN OTHER FOREIGN LANDS.

REALLY, I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN. THE PROCESS OF RENEWING A VISA IS NO WORSE THAN RENEWING AN AUTOMOBILE LICENSE OR REGISTERING ANYTHING IN THE BEAUROCRACY ANYWHERE. A VEHICLE REGISTRATION, REGISTERING A CHILD IN A SCHOOL OR REGISTERING TO VOTE SOMEWHERE, IT'S ALL THE SAME.

KINDA WHY I LOVE MY GRANDKIDS, DOGS, WILDLIFE AND EVEN MY PINK FLIP-FLOPS. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A GOVERNMENT IS AND NEVER ASK ME TO FILL OUT A PILE OF FORMS, SUBMIT PHOTOS OR ASK ME WHY I WANT TO LIVE HERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR DROPPING-IN TO VISIT AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND !

CHEERS,
MIKE