Showing posts with label Clouds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clouds. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

November's Full Moon Took Some Patience

A Few Hours Ahead of Time


 The tripod and gimbal were hauled upstairs and positioned on the roof.


Due to some recent surgery, no heavy weight-lifting is allowed.


So, I put the 560 MM lens in a backpack and pretended it wasn't heavy.







Clouds Have A Way Of Ruining Photos



Every month I attempt some Full Moon Photography but, the weather doesn't always cooperate.








A quote stolen from Forbes via screenshot came to mind so, I hung around and waited.








The time between the first and second moon photo: One minute!

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Horrible Blood Moon November 2022

 Wind and Clouds with Camera Shake


Normally I wouldn't post terrible photography like this or, even process the images.

But, I got thinking. "Why not show the world how it really gets sometimes?"




The clouds blocked out the moon many times and the wind was blowing, shaking my camera.

This is how the moon looks sometimes after 10 too many beers.

About a dozen times I tried (unsuccessfully) to get a nice sharp image.



It Never Happened



The photo I would have liked to publish never got taken.

But, I was out there and got to witness the Full Blood Moon of November 2022.





Some photo editing was done to attempt to clear the blurred image.

But, shaky hands don't do the best job of patching things up.

If you all don't mind now, I'll go back to bed.

Thursday, December 31, 2020

New Year's Eve Afternoon Stroll with the iPhone

 Wet and Cold Winter Weather


Normally, I'm out with the camera, backpack, and dog, early in the morning.

With wannabe typhoon-like winds and rain, I've slacked off doing 10,000 step hikes before noon.

The drizzle stopped for a while this afternoon so, I headed out to do some end-of-year business.





Suddenly I noticed a patch of blue sky with white clouds, directly ahead of me.

A bit of maneuvering got me this shot with no telephone wires in the scene.






Leaving the post office and walking the backroads, I spotted this gem of an attraction.

2020 has been sort of a lousy year and everyone has been stuck at home, social distancing.

It didn't stop this Komatsu family from having a baby!






Heading back across the south side of the highway, I stopped at a local electrical store.

One of the things I've been putting off all year was buying a new computer mouse.

Got that and a new iPhone charging wire to boot, for under 20 bucks.

It turned out to be a Not-so-bad, crappy New Year's Eve, I guess. Hopefully, yours went well, too.


Next, I'll have to Google, "Breaking in your new mouse" and see if there are instructions.

If not, I'll have to see if that can be remedied sometime next year.

 THE END


Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Morning After Full Moon MAR 2020

astronomy, full-moon, clouds, moon set, Okinawa


The Full Moon Avoided Us on Okinawa



Most of the time, over the past three days and nights, clouds and rain covered the sky.

Up at 4 AM each morning, I peeked out the back door, to see if, I could catch moon-set.

The weather channel was guessing a 95% chance of rain beginning at 5 AM.

Daybreak was coming and it looked like I might get a chance to walk the dog.

Checking the weather channel again suddenly, there was a 0% chance of rain.

Walking down to the beach, I caught the moon going down with clouds on the horizon.

End of Full Moon Story



Monday, May 14, 2018

12 Photos from Mother's Day Camera Stroll

clouds, roof, tiles, sky, Okinawa


A Beautiful Day During Rainy Season



Look, I know it was Mother's Day but, I had to get out of the house yesterday.

Not feeling very motherly, I figured the gals would find something to do together.

On the way to the office, I got a chuckle when I saw some guy taking his wife to King Tacos.

That's kind of the equivalent of bringing your date to McDonald's, big spenders!



clouds, sky, Okinawa


The first photo I shot at my office before stepping out the gate.

It's a good idea to fire some test shots before starting on a long hike with the camera.

It gives you an idea what exposures you'll need to be using and, more.

Suppose you forgot to put the SD card or battery back in the camera from last shooting?

Heading up the highway, these white clouds jumped out at me.  Rainy Season?



nature, trees, sky, Okinawa


The camera was tripod mounted and I used only one lens, the Sigma 50-500 MM.

A 1.4 converter, gave me the capability to shoot from 70-700 MM.

Just in case the birds all stayed at home for Mother's Day, I shot scenery along the way.



clouds, sky, Okinawa


The other night another photographer was questioning me.

Where should he take beginner photographers in Okinawa to teach them?

My thoughts: "If you don't know, you probably shouldn't be teaching photography." Hah!

Anyhow, just in case there are no birds today, here are some more clouds.



clouds, sky, trees, Okinawa, Japan


A few miles from the start, it's been a birdless day but, I was enjoying the walk.

A few crows and pigeons were out and about. I don't like wasting digital film on them.

If nothing else shows up, at least I'll have some scenery shots to take home.



bird, Chinese Bulbul, nature, Okinawa, Wildlife


Shortly after 4 PM, this bird showed up in a tree near me.

It's a Chinese Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) and, they are noisy birds.

This wasn't really needed for my collection but, a Chinese bird is better than no birds at all.




bird, Streaked Fantail Warbler, Cisticola juncidis, Okinawa, wildlife


This bird, the Streaked Fantail Warbler, is fairly common around here.

It's hard to catch one being still in a spot where you can shoot them. They're jittery.




Cisticola juncidis, bird, Streaked Fantail Warbler, Okinawa, nature


When these birds fly, they make noises like a pair of scissors, that needs oiling.

So, I usually just call them Scissors Birds.

Cisticola juncidis would be their Latin Name.




rice, paddy, plants, Kin Town, Okinawa


In case you've never seen young rice plants, here's what they look like.

Rice is good for you if, you feel like eating thousands of things.




dead trees, sky, nature, Okinawa


Dead trees are always something to pay attention to when looking for wildlife.

These happen to be at the farthest point along my hike and, are near the ocean.



Tiled roof, Okinawa, trees, sky



Moving in the opposite direction, I shot this roof with the dead trees in the background.

A bit of shade under those tiles and a sip of water before heading home.

It would take about an hour, to return to my office from here and, I had a plan.




pine, tree, nature, Okinawa



Trees like this, I consider Nature's Bonsai; they've been weather-beaten.

People doing bonsai in planters could get in big trouble, someday.

What if, a Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Trees, comes along?



Ending the Camera Tour



Out in the hot sun a bit longer than anticipated, I reached the office.

Too tired to download, I stored the camera and locked the place up.

There's a Japanese Restaurant between the office and my home, I planned to visit.

Two steak dinner takeout orders were placed and, I surprised the wife for Mother's Day with them.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

GIF: Six Minutes of Clouds and October 2017 Moon

October 5 2017 full moon, GIF, clouds

Nine Image Animation



A lot can happen, when out shooting the full moon on Okinawa.

The series of photos, used to create this scene, were taken between 6:20 and 6:26 PM.

 The wind was blowing black clouds through the sky and shaking my camera lens.

The color of the moon, changed during that time period, too.

After downloading the camera and, posting images on the blog, I went out for a drink.

Joking with a guy in the bar, I said,"The moon's a moving target."

He agreed and said, "I know. I'm a meteorologist."

That was my chance to ask him, "How come the color of the moon changes, so fast?"

Well, about that time, a beautiful woman, walked into the bar.

So, I quit paying attention to the weatherman. Amen.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Clouds and Cardio -- Think It Was an Easy Day ?

Blue skies with white clouds

Beautiful Skies Over the Island



Typhoon Talim, is way north of Okinawa probably, in Hokkaido by now.

This island got some wind and rain but, was spared the full strength of the storm.

Sore from lifting weights on the rainy days, I decided to just do cardio stuff today.



Getting Rid of Fat Ain't Easy



Over the past several months, plenty of inches disappeared, off of my belly.

People noticed and, have been asking me, how I got it done.

Changing my diet was half of the solution and exercises, did the rest.

Some folks want to learn the techniques, I've been using. I'll show some of my favorites, here.


Popsugar doing abs exercises with medicine ball


Popsugar Says "Skip the Crunches"



She'll show you 7 abs exercises, you can do standing at Popsugar Fitness.

A medicine ball or dumbbells, aren't really necessary, just get creative, use anything.

Cement blocks, 2 liter PET bottles and, gallon jugs full of water, are in my mini-gymnasium.

Do everything, she does, with whatever weight suits you and, feel the burn.

In the photo above, she's writing the alphabet, using a medicine ball.

It's been so long, since I've handwritten a letter, I forgot how to write cursive !

Maybe, I should get a wall chart. Dot the "i's" and cross the "t's" and "j." 

Someday, I'll have to look that up. Do "j's" get a dot over them? I do it, anyway.

Anyhow, I get a good burn, from this workout. It melts fat and, builds abs, too.





Sky and clouds over Okinawa


People Get Too Hooked on Technology



They have gadgets, to measure heart rate and all kinds of fitness whatnot's.

Smart phone heart monitors and junk on Smartwatches, you don't really need.

A big pile of sweat on the floor and, you're breathing hard, while your hair sweats.

That means, it's time to take a little break. Slow down and cool-off for five minutes.

What I do, is go outside and, when the breathing gets easier, climb some stairs.

The clouds, had moved around a little bit. I grabbed a smoke and the camera.





Abs and core exercises, screenshot, Yamon Figurs F16, Facebook video



No Girly Exercises Here



Killer exercises for the abs and core by Yamon Figurs F16 on Facebook.

Hopefully, he won't get pissed because, I screenshot some of his video.

The first time, I tried this, I did everything he does, only slower.

No dumbbells are required.  I use a couple of 2 liter PET bottles, filled with water.

After doing, everything on the chart he provides, with the video, I couldn't stand up !

If, you're out of shape or, way older than him, take it easy. It's killer exercise.

The video is popular, over 7, 647, 929 views, RIGHT HERE.

I bet, a few million of those views, were people just watching, to breakout in a sweat.

Starting out, I recommend, doing only 10 repetitions of each exercise. You'll see.

The Side Oblique, you can do, with anything heavy. A backpack or, gallon jug of cider.





Blue sky and white clouds over Kin Town, Okinawa


Last Peek at the Beautiful Sky



To keep doing these sort of fitness, crazy things, you have to make sure it's fun.

Out side for a breather and a smoke, is fun, to me. I take a camera and climb the stairs, again.

The way the weather looked, I was tempted, to quit and go for a long hike.  But, no.

There was something, I'd bookmarked and, had to try today.



Girl doing the Low Plank, fitness, exercise, abs



Best Exercises to Ditch the Beer Belly



Right off the bat, they'll tell you, "Quit drinking beer!"

Supposing, it's against your religion?  What are you gonna do?  Switch back to whiskey?

Seven of the best fitness trainers, were asked, which exercises they'd recommend.

Some of them, I already do. Others, you wouldn't catch me doing. I'm stubborn.

Anyhow, here's one, that caught my attention and, it seems simple enough.

Get down, in a position like that gal, elbows shoulder width apart and, up on your toes.

Keep the back rigid and as straight as it will go. Look straight forward.

Hold yourself like that and, try to pull your elbows, towards your feet, for 20 seconds.

If, you can't hang-in for twenty seconds, not a problem. Relax and, do one more, later.

Well, I did it once for twenty seconds. Then, did one more. Done for the day.

It's called the Low Plank. Soon, I'll be doing 20-30 of them. I just had enough fun, for today.

More of these weight loss exercises are at Eat This, Not That.


Remember: Exercise Should Be Fun !

Friday, July 28, 2017

An Ocean Breeze and Some Shade Is All You Need

Tree, ocean,sky,clouds


When Okinawa Gets Too Hot


Temperatures and humidity have been going off the charts recently on this island.

An early riser, I'm usually up and about before the sun rises.

It's cool enough outside, to take the dog for a walk, while buying my morning iced coffee.

Once the sun rises above the surrounding buildings, it gets too hot for outdoor activity.

So, I've been hanging around at home, enjoying the air-conditioning and, going to work late.

Late afternoons, some buildings provide shade, along one side of the street.

Even when there's no wind blowing, shadows provide some relief from the blazing hot sun.

On the hottest, most humid day, a tree, shade and an ocean breeze, are gifts from heaven.

This photo reminded me of one of those days, I was thanking the heavens for shade.


Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 23MM

Exposure: f/11   1/1250   ISO 400

Location: Horizon Curry Works, Chatan, Okinawa

Date and Time: JUN 28 2017  12:44 PM

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Postcard: Zamami Island on the 1st of July 2017

Blue skies and emerald seas at Zamami-jima, Okinaa


Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 16 MM

Exposure:  f/11   1/1250   ISO 400

Location:  Zamami-jima Okinawa Japan

Date and Time: JUL 1 2017   10:46 AM

Friday, April 14, 2017

Just Looking Down at Some Clouds

white clouds in blue sky

The thought had occurred to me. This could have been done a lot easier with a drone.

However, I'd probably have to take some tests and get an aviation license of some sort.

It was one of those days, I thought a simple image of skies and clouds, would be interesting.

The timing had to be right.  The sun in the right position behind me and shining.

And, the right formation of clouds, needed to blow through the photo frame.

Sometimes, terrific formations appeared but, the sunshine got blocked by clouds behind me.

There was plenty of work, to do in the office so, when skies turned grey I went back inside.

The steps, to the roof of my building, kind of zig-zag up to the roof.

Some are normal sized, others like some kind of giant steps. I have no idea why.

One of these days, I should count and see how many steps it takes, to get to the rooftop.

It's probably great exercise for the legs and, saves me the money, I'd have to spend on a drone.

This afternoon, I looked at this image and it reminded me of the muscle workout.

So, I laid down on my sleeping bag and took a four hour, recovery nap.

The photo was created on JAN 27, 2017 ! 

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Animations of the Full Moon FEB 2017 Over Okinawa

Full Moon FEB 2017, GIF, clouds moving

Fast Moving Clouds



By Okinawa standards twelve degrees Celsius (53.6 Fahrenheit) is freezing weather. 

Laugh if, you want but, I had to bundle up like an Eskimo, to shoot these GIFs.




full-moon,clouds,GIF

Strong ocean breezes at those temperatures make you want to move somewhere else.

It was impossible for me, to get a clear shot of the whole moon last night.

The skies may improve somewhat tonight but, it's supposed to get, even colder.

Late this afternoon, I'll be going to a Cherry Blossom Festival.

It wasn't on my schedule, to go but, I found out something interesting about the event.

Belly dancers will be there. So, I guess I should cover it. The festival, I mean.

What would you rather see, belly dancers or more moon shots ?


Sunday, December 18, 2016

Animated GIF of Clouds and Trees

gif, clouds moving behind trees

Blame It on Writer's Block



It happens sometimes, to writers. The brain, cramps up and, doesn't help you think straight.

Yesterday, I was going to post a nifty folk story, I've been working on, for months.

Several different sources, gave me various versions of the tale. That can be handled.

Folklore can change from one village to another. And the storyteller may modify it a bit.

It just, wouldn't all come together, for me, last night. Brain and body said, "Go home."

So, that's what I did.  Didn't even stop by a watering hole for my usual few beers.



Things Were Looking Brighter Today




Up before the sun, I checked to find out what the meteorologists predicted for today.

Cold and, mostly cloudy, they claimed. Good. Bundle up warm and do office work all day.

If, it was mostly sunny, I'd have been tempted, to walk for hours, outdoors with the camera.

With six pages of copy paper, attached to a clipboard, I started my rough draft.

The world's worst typist, I like to do a scribbled outline and, smooth on paper, first.

To start, I draw about a one inch column on the right side of each page. That's for notes.

Why a clipboard?  That comes in handy, when I go outside for a break. Pen comes, too.

Sitting down, at a desk for more that 20 minutes, ain't natural, for me.

So, I get up stretch and, go out to a picnic table, where I can think clearly and, smoke.

The clipboard, keeps things from blowing away. And, my brain works best outdoors, too.

Grinding away, things were getting organized and, some progress was being made.

Then, about three, in the afternoon, everything came to a halt. Brain stopped working.

Cuss, stand up and stretch; get out of the office for some fresh air.




Sunshine and Blue Skies with White Clouds !




The clipboard and pen, are my witnesses. I scratched a few more notes and, quit.

There's no sense, writing once the gears in the brain stop spinning.

With the Pentax, a big lens and the tripod, I went hunting for an eagle, who never showed.

Walking around in a quarter mile circle, from my office, I grabbed an occasional iced coffee.

Sunshine and cold coffee, can work wonders on my spirits, even on a December day.

The trees in that animation, are where, I was hoping to catch, that elusive feathered friend.

The bird never showed and, I was out there for over two hours. So, I got thinking.

Just shoot the clouds and trees. Maybe, someone will appreciate them.

The weather, can change every five minutes, on this island. Poor weathermen.

How can they decide, what to tell us, when it can change so suddenly?

The weather, can be as fickle as a mail order bride. Somebody, said that on TV once.

It might have been that guy Gabby Hayes, with the chuckwagon, on a Western.

Well, I never had a mail order bride or even, ever fickled one. But, it's true.


Well, tomorrow possibly, I'll be done fickling around with that folk story. 

That's providing, the sun don't shine !



Thursday, September 29, 2016

A Sunny Day with White Clouds Blowin' By

blue skies and fast moving white clouds, GIF

Rooftop Scene



Walking to the office this morning, I stopped to buy some coffee at mom and pop store.

They were watching TV and got all excited about something.

Looking up, I saw what it was; Tropical Cyclone #18 might be coming to Okinawa.

The skies were beautiful today so, I climbed up on the roof to get some sunshine.

Things could get pretty dismal around here next week; lots of rain and no sun, for me.

After about two hours of soaking-up vitamin D, I had 180 photos to download.

The animated GIF doesn't have any music, to go along with it but, I like it best.

Some cool tunes were located, to spruce up the YouTube video.

Maybe, I'll go back and see if, I can make a better video, while it rains next week.