Wordless Wednesday: Couple on a Bench

5 Images from Iris Fields in Kijoka, Ogimi, Okinawa

Bursting with Purple

The season began 10 days early this year, according to the local news channel.

Luckily, I was watching the evening Japanese news when it was featured.

Otherwise, I may have missed the purple blossoms entirely this year.

April is a busy month, with all sorts of springtime rituals, throughout Okinawa.

People Offended by Purple Shouldn't Go Here

One of the things I enjoy about travel writing is, getting people inspired to visit.

A few photos I posted on Facebook were viewed over 8,000 times in the past 12 hours!

Everybody can't love purple but, lots of folks on Facebook do so, here are some more.

Just the day before these photos were taken, we were freezing in Okinawa.

The temperatures dropped down to the low teens for a few days.

Centigrade teens, means turn on the heat and wear layers of clothing in this part of the world.

Luckily, the fields were not flooded and muddy. I had socks on with my flip-flops.

One year, the iris fields almost swallowed me and a brand new pair of footwear.

Purple happens to be a favorite color of mine because it goes well with yellow.

Those who know me know, I don't wear any other color flip-flops but yellow.

That's a hint, just in case somebody wants to give me a gift. Size 12 would be good, too.

The iris fields are surrounded by green hills and fun to photograph at wide angles.

Another thing I like about this place is, they sell stalks of the flowers, to take home.

They are less expensive than visiting a flower shop and, women love them.

So, I spring for about 10 bucks worth, every time I visit the iris fields in bloom.

It keeps the wife from complaining about my muddy flip-flops, coming into the house.

Parting Shot

For the Purple Haters, here are some cosmos and daisies, to distract you from the iris flowers.

But, I still recommend staying away from the Iris Fields of Kijoka. Hah!

NORMAL PEOPLE: VISIT THE IRIS FIELDS OF KIJOKA

7 Things to Know About Cosmos (コスモス) Flowers

The Field Was an Eye-catcher

It was of those days, on a long hike, when  birds weren't cooperating with me and the camera.

 I noticed, women stopping by, jumping out of their cars, to take selfies.

So, when nobody was around, I went over and composed this shot and, figured I'd use it.

My research led to some information, I had never heard of, concerning these flowers.

1. They originated in Mexico and South America

2. There are 20-30 or more varieties. So, I won't give any botanical names

3. Cosmos, are members of the same family as sunflowers

4. They thrive in sunshine, can go without water and bloom in the spring and fall

5. There are some breeds called Chocolate Cosmos

6. Some places, they use these flowers for clothing dyes. Other folks eat them in salads

7. They haven't been approved for usage by the (FDA) Food and Drug Administration

Eat Them at Your Own Risk

Resources:

Get to Know the Different Species of Cosmos

Heart of Herbs

The Flower Expert

The Old Farmer's Almanac

The Telegraph

Useful Tropical Plants

Wikipedia

Flower Photos: Fields of Cosmos in Igei Okinawa

Good for People with Brown Thumbs

 

 

These made the Top 10 Easy Plants to grow from seeds, EZ from Seed Org, tells me.

Researching the flowers was almost as much fun as photographing them, today.

 For the unfortunates, living in snow country, I took a few snaps with the camera.

Visit About.com  when the spring thaw comes and,  you can learn how to grow your own.

 It was a great day, for teachers, to let their little students loose in the sunshine today.

There are acres and acres of those pink, white, yellow and red flowers blooming.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, you can grow these things, just about anywhere. 

 They say, these plants originated in dry country of Mexico and there are 20 varieties.

I have news for them.  These flowers are thriving, in rice paddies.

We must have the breed, that loves lots of water !

To avoid, getting people, moving through the scene, I took this close-up shot.

The word Cosmos, comes from Greek and, means Balanced Universe.

They told me that at, The Flower Expert and, this, too:

There's a Cosmos astrosanguinea that smells like vanilla chocolate.  Yum !

If you are thinking about growing your own Cosmos, I have a link for you.

Learn all about cosmos at the Burpee Seed Company, they are experts, in my opinion.

Did you know, you can even buy Burpless Cucumber seeds there, too ?

 

Flower Image: Cosmos and a Bud

Photo From a Wild Goose Chase

 

 

The cosmos flowers seem to be blooming all over the island these days.

Winter weather has them blowing in the wind so, a single flower was selected.

This photo was taken using a Pentax K3 and f/4 300mm lens.

Exposure:  f/4   1/500   ISO 100

Grow Your Own Cosmos

 

 

These flowers can be raised in containers or, planted in fields.

If it's still snowing, where you live, I have some good news for you.

Cosmos can be started in planting pots, a month to six weeks before the end of winter.

Learn more at The Old Farmer's Almanac

Some Cosmos to Look at on Rainy Days and a Dang Cocoon

Will the April Showers Ever End ?

 

Somebody needs to tell the rainmaker, we've had enough.

This photo was taken back in March.

We really don't need any more April showers to bring on the May flowers.

Flowers, bloom year round in Okinawa, Japan.

Sunshine, is what's needed.

Being Cooped Up on Rainy Days Can Make You Go Buggy

 

As a matter of fact, I'm babysitting a bug, right now.

It's some sort of cocoon, I found crawling around so, I captured it.

Instead of me getting all bloody, crawling after it, I put it in a clear cup.

That way, if it ever decides to come out, I can shoot it with my camera.

Experience Has Taught Me

 

Chasing little insects with a DSLR can ruin your day.

In the past, I have shredded my jeans, bloodied my elbows and knees and destroyed my office.

It happened because, I wanted to know what that thing, in a cocoon was.

We bought a special bug cage for it.

And, it died before I could ever figure out what it was.

Now, I wish I wouldn't have threw that stupid bug cage away.

Bug Experts Advised Me

 

Keep the thing alive until it matures.  Then, you'll be able to identify it.

So, that's the plan, this time around.

The little rascal gets around.  It escaped once.  And, I found it crawling on my ladder.

Now, it's in a pudding cup with another pudding cup taped above it.

As long as it isn't allergic to Scotch Tape, we'll be in business.

But, if the sun comes out this week, I'm outta here.

The cocoon and pudding cups, I'd give away for free.

This rainy weather make me crazy !

Related Posts:

Free to a Good Home

Ladybug in My Office

Lessons Learned From a Lizard

2014 Iris Report No. 3 From the Fields of Kojika in Ogimi Okinawa

The Weekend After Next Will Be Best

 

 

A pile of photos were taken today to give viewers an idea.

My best estimate: Blossoms haven't reached the 20% mark, yet.

 

 

 

 

The iris fields are flooded with water to help them sprout.

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the dikes, between rows are very slippery.

 

 

This one was covered with mats, which made it a little easier to navigate.

 

 

 

 

To give you an idea, how windy it was, I shot this scene.

 

 

All the photos used for this Motion GIF, were made in less than one second.

 

 

 

 

Flowers, wiggling around doesn't make for very good compositions.

 

 

 

 

So, I singled this one out and waited for the wind to quit blowing.

 

 

 

 

Then, found some more dancing farther down the line.

 

 

 

 

There's a trashcan, full of flowers, ready to sell, over by the tents.

 

 

But, We didn't go there to buy flowers.

 

 

 

 

An Iris Reporter goes there to shoot flowers not, buy them.

 

 

 

 

The cosmos field, looked healthy, compared to the iris plants.

 

 

But, they weren't selling any of them so me and Doc, sneaked out of there.

 

 

Maybe, next time we'll bring the women folks along.

 

 

They know, somehow, which flowers they like best.

 

 

We just give them money.

 

 

END OF REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

10 Photos from a Two Hour Flower Walk

Irresistible Sunshine Made Me Do It

 

 

It all started with this card that came in the mail, sometime over the weekend.

The wife translated it.  Your books are a month overdue at the library.

That happens to me all the time.  I only use them to identify flowers.

The Missus says take the books on Monday when the Kin Town Library is closed.

That way, you just put them in a drop box and don't have to see anybody.

Nah. 

I'd rather wait until Tuesday and apologize by saying, "Gomen nasai."

About 11 this morning, I grabbed my overdue flower books and a camera.

There's no telling what these yellow flowers are, I just shot them.

And, returned the flower books, without ever trying to find out what they were.

After leaving the library, I decided to take a long walk and shoot lots of flowers.

No tripod was used, just a prime lens and awesome sunshine.

Whatever these purple things are, they're blooming everywhere.

Within a few days, I should have an identification on them, even if I have to ask somebody.

Cosmos, I know them. They are blossoming everywhere, too.

It's fun, trying to catch them when they're not getting blown by the wind.

These rascals are some more for my Pending ID Files.

That is, unless some helpful reader comes along and identifies them for me.

These flowers, look an awful lot like plum blossoms, to me.

And, I'm not sure if it's early in the season or, they will be all gone soon.

It's not nice, to climb a fence and go on private property to take pictures of someone's flowers.

So, I've been thinking of taking some scissors and a big pair of tweezers, next time.

Something to poke through the fence so, I can take a sprig home.

This iris, is located, not far from my home.

It's a different breed than the ones that should be blooming soon, in Ogimi.

And, it looks more like a tiger than, a dragon, to me.

Taking the back roads on my return trip to the office, I spotted this.

It's as bright as those first yellow flowers I came across.

How could a guy forget which house he lived in, if he had a paint job like that ?

Cosmos Flowers Are Blooming in Kin Town

Grab the Cameras and Shoot Them Quick

 

 

Last week when we first spotted fields full of them it was raining.

The next time the sun shines on Okinawa, I have to hurry and get out there.

Farmers, plant those colorful flowers in the rice fields.

They must put something good in the soil or, remove something bad.

One of these days, I'll ask them why they do it.

But, I know, at a certain point, all the flowers will be gone and rice will be planted.

Last night when I walked in the door at home, the wife said she just got there, too.

She was unwrapping a huge pile of these cosmos she got from Igei, in Kin Town.

The wife says, "They were giving them away, for free."

Knowing Mrs. RyukyuMike, that could simply mean, nobody was looking when she took them.

Field of Cosmos in Kin Town: Editor's Pick

This photo got an Editor's Pick in a contest for the month of February 2013.

It was taken as I was walking behind Nature Mirai, in Kin Town on the way to shoot the full moon.

 It's been so busy around here, I forgot all about photo contests, for this month.

So, I was kind of surprised when I discovered this photo went anywhere.

To make a short story long, there's something I have to tell you.

Remember that Lunacy Before the Full Moon thing I was talking about ?

Crazy Things Happen Before the Full Moon

Before I got to this field of flowers, I ran into some other photographers.

They were at another field of cosmos, taking photos of a pretty girl.

Shawn Miller, I met a few years ago and, he has been a guest photographer here a few times.

Chris Wilson, I've been following online, for quite awhile but, had never met in person.

Shawn introduced us and we shook hands.

Then Chris asks if he can take a photo of me. Being the shy person I am, I had to think quick.

So, I said "Sure, if you let that pretty girl stand next to me."

Click Click Click 

He starts shooting horizontal, vertical, left and right.

There had to be a dozen or, two shots taken of us in that field of cosmos.

It would have been nice if I had a hairbrush.  I wasn't prepared for modelling, ya know.

We have email contact now.  But, I bet there is plenty of editing to do with those photos.

That girl, Rie, he probably didn't have any trouble developing her photo.  She's a beauty.

Now, my scraggly-looking face may take some work.

When I go out to shoot the moon, I'm not the ideal photographic subject.

Chris promised me a photo from that night.

It would be a lot easier to just crop me out of the picture.  I can't complain.  

Kin Town's Cosmos got an Editor's Pick !

Checkout Chris Wilson's Travel 67 Website

Flower Photo: The Cosmos of Kin Town Okinawa

Last night, on the way to shoot the full moon, I spotted these flowers.

Location: Kin Town, near Nature Mirai.

Camera: Pentax K5

Lens: Sigma 50-500mm

Just two years ago,  I thought a Cosmo was some new auto made by Toyota.

If I keep taking flower photos for this blog, I might become a walking, flower encyclopedia.

There are lots more flowers blooming in the coming months.

Many of them have festivals celebrating the occasions.

Everything depends on the weather and I'll try to keep you posted, in advance.

Some of the springtime flower festivals I've been to may be seen here.

Sometimes, the flowers bloom and festivals are over before I get there !

It's best to keep an eye on Okinawa2Go! on Facebook for current events.

Another great resource for flower festivals and travel events, throughout Japan, is:

Japan National Tourism Organization

Springtime Flowers to Look for in Okinawa, Japan (Photos)

It'll be Spring this time next week so, here are a few flowers I'll be looking forward to seeing.

The first photo, a Golden Trumpet or, Tabebuia caraiba was taken March 5, 2011.

They are a tad late blooming this year but, should be in full bloom shortly.

One of my favorite flowers, the Purple Iris, is the next one to watch.  They can be tricky.

April 2d, last year, I went to shoot photos of the iris fields in a place called Ogimi.

If you go looking for these flowers too early, you might as well just take photos of a green onion field.

Not wanting to waste a day of camera shooting, I was lucky to find some Cosmos.

These flower photos were taken April 2, 2011. 

See, we have Cosmos and an Iris field that looks like green onions.

Another cameraman went to shoot the Iris Fields and didn't want to waste the day.

He got the same bright idea and went shooting Cosmos.

So, I shot him, too.



A week later (March 9, 2011) I went back to Ogimi and found what I was looking for.

The place was full of those bright Purple Iris flowers, blooming in the sun.

That guy in the yellow shirt with a great big zoom lens on his Canon, crawled right into the field for a close up.

So, I shot him, too.

Another, very important flower to look for in Springtime on Okinawa is the world famous

Easter Lily

The above photo was taken April 27, 2011 in the wife's garden.

They have A MILLION LILY FESTIVAL every year April/May time-frame on an island named

IeShima


You just have to keep watching the news to find out exactly when in Springtime everything is ready for your camera if you want to look for flowers in Okinawa, Japan.


I'll do my best to keep you posted but, I ain't so sure about going the the IeShima Lily Festival this year.  Somebody gave me a black eye last time I went there !

Get more info on Okinawa's flowers in TREES, FLOWERS, FERNS