Flowers: Deigo (Indian Coal Bean) Symbol of Okinawa

The Prefecture Flower

These bright red blossoms were spotted along HWY 58 in Ogimi Village, Okinawa.

It seems like, I never catch the trees, when they are in full bloom.  These shots will have to do.

Moving around and using different focal lengths, I got a few different compositions.

The flowers only blossom for a few short months then, they disappear.

Some people think they can predict, how severe typhoon season will be, looking at them.

Well, I have news. It doesn't work. Typhoons are unpredictable. So, are these flowers.

It would have made more sense, to me if, they made Hibiscus the state flower.

But, back in 1972, the Deigo was selected. And, I ain't governor, yet.

The botanical name is Erythrina orientalis. We just call them, "Deigo."

The flowers are a big attraction, for many people. I'm not wild about any flower.

Maybe, some of the ones which are edible, would be alright by me. I could eat them.

How About a Sketch Artist ?

For someone with the ability to draw or, sketch, these flowers could be a work of art.

Just as we decided to pull off the highway and, get some photos, it happened.

This gentleman was over by the fence, sketching the Deigo blossoms.

Of course, I greeted him and, took a peek at his work. Man's got some real talent.

After awhile, I sneaked around, to catch this shot, of him drawing. I envy the guy.

These are some sketches on a wall in my office, to remind me of stuff, I'm supposed to do.

See, I can't even sketch a stickman, too well !

Okinawa's Official Flower Blooming Now

These Flowers Light the Hills Up

 

 

They caught me by surprise and, I'm lucky to have spotted them, blooming along HWY 58.

The reason, I had stopped at this little village office, was to see if, I could get a historical book.

The kucho (village mayor) knew what I was talking about and, left the building.

He hopped in his car and, drove off, down the highway. Had me thinking WTF !

So, I walked around, taking photos while, my tummy was growling for lunch.

It seemed like twenty minutes, went by before the kucho returned.

He pulled his car alongside the office and, waved for me to come over.

Handing me a brand new, historical photo book of the village, he refused to take any payment.

Bowing, I thanked him, turned around and, saw those bright red flowers.

Whoa.  "Are those red things Deigo's," I asked him.  And, he said "Yes." 

The best deigo flowers, I've seen in Okinawa this year and, a free book, all at the same spot.

I'll never say a bad word about that kucho, ever again !

Camera:  Pentax K3

Lens:  Pentax 18-250 at 154MM

Exposure:  f/8   1/160   ISO 100

Location:  Ginama, Kunigami, Okinawa, Japan

Latitude: 26.845875  Longitude: 128.255294

Date and Time:  APR 29 2016  12:53PM

More About Okinawa's Prefectural Flower

King Sho En Once Lived Here

Deigo Flower Photos and a Sweet Tune

The Deigo tree, at Ogimi, isn't quite in full bloom, yet.

Early yesterday afternoon, under some harsh sunlight, I couldn't resist taking these photos.

A wide angle view shows the surrounding hills in the background just off HWY 58.

  These flowers, are fairly delicate and may not last much longer.

The first, little typhoon, that comes along, will blow all the red petals away.

 So, I hurried and snapped photos from every angle.

 Just in case, we don't get back up that way, in the near future.

The Deigo Flower Gets Mentioned in a Popular Song

 

 

 Shima Uta, was made popular by the band, The Boom and there are many recorded versions.

This gal, Natsukawa Rimi, does it the best.

If you would like an English translation, watch it on YouTube.

Press, SHOW MORE, under the video and, you've got it.

Listen to that girl sing the song and, play that sanshin.  She's amazing.

If they had a contest between her and the original artists, I'd bet on her !

Flower Photo: Deigo Okinawa's Prefectural Symbol

Starting to Bloom Now in Okinawa

 

 

These bright red flowers have a history of avoiding my camera lens.

So far, I have never been able to catch them in full bloom.

It seems like every time I spot one flowering it's too early or, too late in the season.

Some folks use these to determine how strong of a typhoon season we will have.

If they bloom early in the year or, get humongous blossoms, standby.

That could mean the typhoons, will whack us severely.

The plant's scientific name is Erythrina orientalis.

The trees came from India, where they are known as Indian Coral.

Other names: Tiger's Claw and Sunshine Tree.

MORE OKINAWA PREFECTURAL SYMBOLS

Flower Photo: Pink Hibiscus in the Rain

Rainy days, trapped indoors, drive me crazy.

So, I took the Pentax K5 with a Sigma 50-500mm lens out back.

They have more of these hibiscus flowers, on this island, than anywhere else I've ever been.

I shot this pink one in the wind and rain just for the flower lovers.

Something I haven't been able to figure out is why the deigo, is Okinawa's state flower.

It should be the hibiscus because they bloom everywhere, all the time.

If I ever decide to become the emperor, vote for me.  OK ?

Tree in Bloom: Deigo, The Prefectural Flower of Okinawa (Photo)

This photo was taken in Naha Okinawa, Japan last Sunday while out searching for the torii in the last Then and Now post, Gokoku Shrine.

Designated as the Prefectural Flower of Okinawa in 1972, the plant is originally from India.

You could call it the Indian Coral Bean Tree if you like.

Erythrina Orientalis Murray is alright, too, if you want to speak like a scientist.

This information comes right off a government website. 

So, if anybody wants to argue, that's where they should go.

What I plan on doing is finding a deigo tree full of those red flowers.

It seems like I've never been in the right place at the right time to catch a photo of those flowers

when they are in their prime.  We'll have to see what we can do about that.

If you see me heading towards one of those trees with my camera this year,  you'd better not let

me catch you picking them.

It'd be a lot better if you just went and argued with the government. 


All I want is a pretty picture of a Prefectural Flower and I'm gonna get one.