Wordless Wednesday: Couple on a Bench

Wordless Wednesday: Greetings

Statues of Two Famous Kerama Island Dogs

Shiro

The statue of Shiro may be seen on the island of Aka, just inside the ferry terminal.

 The dog named Shiro became a movie star, back in the mid-1980's.

The photo was taken from aboard the ferry to Zamami-jima, as the engines were idling.

Aka-jima is a stop, made enroute to Zamami but, I couldn't disembark.

So, the camera lens was zoomed to 220 MM and, a few shots were taken.

One of these days, I'll go back to that island and, spend a few days, doing photography.

Besides the dog statue, there are some deer on that island, I'm looking forward to meeting.

This dog statue is facing towards Zamami-jima, where the other dog lived.

Maririn

Maririn (Marilyn in English) is, the other half of this movie star couple.

Shiro, used to live on the island of Zamami but, his owner moved to Aka-jima.

Three kilometers (about 2 miles) away from his lover, Shiro would return to visit her.

The couple became famous, when a movie was made of their escapades.

Maririn ni Aitai (マリリンに逢いたい) Marilyn I want to meet you, made the dogs very popular in Japan.

For those, who would rather read the story, links to references:

Flash Fiction and other cultural nuggets from Japan

Find a Grave Marilyn Dog

Wildlife Image -- The Bird Known as an Osprey in Flight

Flying Over Kin Dam

The plan for today, was to take a different route and, skip going to the dam.

Headed to the Okukubi River and,  I wanted to start on the east side for the best light.

Crossing the Kin Bridge, I spotted some osprey flying so, hung around awhile.

Satisfied, I had taken a couple of good shots, off to the other end of the bridge I went.

On a hill across the river, dangerously close to a ledge, I noticed someone standing.

The thought had occurred to me, "Shoot the guy; it's an interesting image."

But, I didn't. I was out , to do some wildlife photography; not people.

Three quarters of the way, crossing the span, this guy started waving, frantically, at me.

He wanted me, to come over there and, motioned towards the road leading to his location.

By the time, I arrived at the path, going to his property, he was at a gate, waiting for me.

It was then, I realized, I had met him a few years ago.

He invited me in, opened several gates and, gave me a tour of all his land.

First, he told me, the ospreys happen to be living on his property. Wow. I want to see !

Big Black Dog on a Chain

Being a dog type person, dogs don't scare me.  Unless they are big and growling, at me.

"Does he bite?"  "No, not if, you're with me" he replied. The dog just, kept growling.

Then, we had to go visit some baby goats and their mothers. That was fun. I suppose.

We wound up, walking through a couple of gates, where everything was fenced off.

Finally, we got to the cliffs. I was hoping, he'd show me where an osprey nest, might be.

He just said, he didn't know but, they come around here every year. That's it ?

Being a polite person (momentarily)  I thought it might be a good idea to change the subject.

So, I told him, this month there will be a humongous full moon.

Then, he walked me to the eastern cliffs, to show where the moon rises.

He scampered up this pile of dirt, near the cliffs, to show me, the best position.

Dude, "You're wearing boots. I'm not climbing up there wearing flip-flops."

He agreed, shima zori (flip-flops) wouldn't be safe, for cliff hanging. Yeah !

Change of Plans

Originally, the idea was to walk the east bank of the river, to the ocean.

High tide would have been around 9:20 AM and, that's what I wanted to see.

After touring all his acreage, we passed through all the wire gates and, said goodbye to the kids.

It was time well spent, I suppose and, I'll probably visit, again sometime.

Instead of heading down to the ocean, I decided to walk around the dam, instead.

By the time, the camera got downloaded, there were over 400 images complied.

Plants, trees, ferns, birds, hills and flowing water, are in the pending files.

Here's how the image above was taken:

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM + 1.4 converter for Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/8   1/500   ISO 100

Location:  Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 4 2016  8:17 AM

More on Osprey -- Birds

Japanese call this bird, Misago -- ミサゴ

Many Okinawans call it, Taka -- タカ

They are both correct, An osprey, may also be called a sea hawk.

News, to me, in Japan:


Osprey are on the Ministry of Environment Red List as Near Threatened (NT) Species.

Okinawa Red Data Book -- Vulnerable (VU).

REFERENCE: Wildlife of Okinawa

Travel Photos: Statue of Maririn the Dog on Zamami Island

Maririn would be pronounced Marilyn in English.

The statue represents the female half of two dogs who really liked each other.

The dogs, liked each other so much, they had three litters of puppies.

The male dog, named Shiro (white) lived on another island.

Shiro, used to swim from Aka Island to hook up with Maririn over at Zamami.

The story of the two dogs was made into a movie in 1988.

There are a few places, you can find books, DVDs or download the movie, in Japanese only.

Maririn ni aitai, meaning I want to see Marilyn would be the title.

A short clip from the movie may be found on YouTube. 

And, an interesting tale from some ocean scientist, about the dogs may be seen here.

Golden Trumpet Trees Blooming in Okinawa and Some Bark

Ever Wonder What Those Bright Yellow Flowers Are ?

 

 

In this part of the world, we just call them Ipe.

The common name would be Golden Trumpet, for the trees and flowers.

Scientists, seem to disagree, over what to call them.

Not especially qualified to argue with science-types, here's what I did.

Running around with a camera, I made random images of the things.

Maybe, we could call it a random act of kindness, for the scientific community.

They don't pay me for doing this stuff but, I have lots of fun.

A closer look at the tree trunk and bark, might help clear things up.

 The clusters of leaves may help in identification, too.

 University of Florida, calls them: Tabebuia chrysotricha

Pacific Horticulture Society, says they are:  Handroanthus chrysotrichus

Another Type of Bark Encountered 

What makes this type of work fun, is some of the crazy things that happen along the way.

This farmer's dog, didn't like the idea of me being in the area.

So, he came running after me, barking.

That's when the mad scientist, in me came out.

  

It took a little growling and barking, back at him, to scare him off.

Then, he stayed on his side of the fence and, I stayed on mine.

Hopefully, those scientists will come to an agreement, soon.

Because next, I want to shoot some Pink and Purple Trumpets.

They probably, won't agree on what to call them, either.

Related Post:

Flower Photos: The Golden Trumpet Trees in Okinawa

The Sabani Sailboat Dog Asura

Made Into Boating Bow Wows

 

 

It took some doing, getting this gal from Okinawa, into a Boating Magazine.

They have plenty of girls in bikini photos but, Asura doesn't wear those things.

Pets on the Water was the category I entered her in.

 

In an email to the editor, I explained that, Asura sails with the sabani team, Ayakaji.

The photo was taken at Kanna Beach in Ginoza, Okinawa, Japan.

Here's a link to the image at Boating Magazine

It's a little tricky because they have 146 Boating Bow Wows.

The first one you will see is #1. Then, you have to push NEXT, above the photo.

When you get to #3, you can see this sabani sailing dog.

Then, hit Like and Tweet and maybe, we can get Asura into the #1 position.

That's where she belongs, I think.

PS  I almost forgot.  You can look at the girls in bikinis, while you're over there, too.

Relatively Wordless: Here's A Ryukyu Inu Photo

Photos - Google+ Is Amazing

 

 

Maybe, I should visit there more often.

That's how I found out, this Ryukyu Inu got almost 500 views.

The January Full Moon Is Tonight

 

 

There are a few holes in the clouds, from time to time.

 I've been checking the skies, throughout the day, making plans for tonight's photography.

If it's the smallest full moon of the year, I might just get a chance to shoot it.

Usually, I shoot from in front of my office.

But, tonight, I figured out a location, out back, where I can be sheltered from the wind.

The sun is ready to go down, any minute, now.

Camera , lens and tripod, are all set to go.

Somebody, across the street, behind my house, decided it was time to start a fire.

It could be, he's burning trash, leaves, used car tires or, his mother-in-law.

So, that's why I'm relatively speechless, tonight.

See more about the Ryukyu Inu dogs of Okinawa:

Ryukyu Inu and Husky Mutts Meet at the Beach

The Ryukyu Inu Okinawa's Pedigree Dog

Making Friends with the Tiger Dog

A Whole Week Flat on My Back



Out of Action

 

Thanks for the Tweets, messages and emails from around the globe.

Something wicked and evil grabbed ahold of me last Saturday night and made me go home early.

A bunch of the best nurses, doctors and pharmacists in town got me hooked-up.

Right now I feel 100% better but, I'm supposed to be in bed for one whole week.

My loving wife, who makes the best chicken soup on the planet doesn't know I sneaked in here.

So, I have to hurry and finish this hamburger and get on home.

On my futon, the huskies make sure the Missus, Grandkids and bill collectors stay away.

When papa is sick, nobody enters this room.

Maybe, I'll just eat the bread and, let the dogs have the hamburger.

They really are, a man's best friend !



V

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 ?



Travel Photos: Things Looking Up at Sueyoshi Garden

There's a Brand New Cafe in Nago, Okinawa, Japan

 

Today, up in the hills of Nago, we found a cool place to stop and get out of the humidity.

The wife and I went to see the hydrangea at Sueyoshi Garden.

After snapping a few hundred photos, I was fried.

Coming back down the hill there is an orange-tiled roof, over what looks like someone's mansion.

It is called the Hydrangea Cafe.

The air-conditioning felt so good, I figured we should stay awhile.

We ordered a couple of iced coffees and I asked if it would be alright to take some photos.

Looking up, here is what you see.

In case you were wondering why the Sueyoshi family lets me roll around on the floor, I'll tell you.

It's because they have seen me rolling around on the ground outside.

Whenever I go there, I spend more time with this dog, than I do looking at flowers !

If you had to chose between Architecture, Dogs or, Flowers, what would be your favorite subject ?


SUEYOSHI GARDEN BLOG

Hydrangea Caf'e on Facebook

Canon G12 on a Dog Walk Nabs a Butterfly (Images)

No Animals Harmed in this Series

 

The DSLR's are resting for a big event tomorrow and, I'm supposed to be, too.

When the wife and I took the dogs for a walk, I slipped the G12 in a cargo pocket.

She walks the little white rat, I take the huskies.

We were almost home when the missus spotted this butterfly.

These days, you can never be too careful.

Gizmo, checks things out.  Friend or, foe; we gotta know, before I start shooting.

All clear.  The subject is unarmed.

With the little Powershot, I pointed and shot from the west.

Then, snapped one to show you the road heading from east to west.

The butterfly is a Blue Triangle.

If I was smart, I'd stuff that Canon G12 in my cargo pocket, everyday !

Doggie Photo: Rufus at Red Beach Okinawa, Japan

The best light for outdoor photography is before 9AM.

This photo was taken this morning at 8:56 with the Canon G12 handheld.

Camera specs: f/8  1/400  ISO 80

Lens at 16mm

If anybody is looking for a little doggie, I have one I'll give you for free.

But, it won't be Rufus or, my other husky.

It'd be my wife's dog, which I religiously call Stinky Cheese !

Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of October 2012

October 2012 an Incredibly Busy Month

The Character

Ryukyu Inu: Okinawa's Pedigree Dog

These photos were the only ones entered in Better Photo's contest this month.

It's nice to hear the judges liked them enough to award Editor's Picks.

That means they may go on to the winner's circle, someday.

Sometimes it seems like a photographer in Okinawa, Japan never gets a day off.

Years ago, I would submit a photo, a day, into a contest.  This month, I was just way-too-busy.

Work Hard and Reap the Benefits

 

There isn't a gold mine in this blogging business.  If there is, I haven't found it, yet.

If some crazy billionaire came along and wanted to buy this blog, I'd sell it at half price.

Shucks, I'd keep on working, for free, as long as I got a driver and secretary, to boot.

 The benefits, I see, are not financial but, they are rewarding.

Knowing a million people came here means something, to me.

They come to see my photos or, read what I write.  I'm not sure but, it's nice having them over.

The Ryukyu Inu dog photo above was sent off to a zoologist, in Italy, this month.

The file I sent was high resolution suitable for printing.

When I emailed it, I apologized for taking so long, as I am eternally busy.

Today, I'd like to share some of the words from my new friend, Alberto, with you:

"Dear Mike,

Don’t worry, you’ve not to apologize, I know what means to be very busy: I’m studying about eighty rare dog breeds of all the world, I’m alone to work on this project and I’ve to take care of all the aspects of the work with my means only, sometimes I nearly lose hope.

Your kind words and your interest for my research are encouraging and touch me very much!

The photo is perfect: the dogs are perfectly represented also they are beautiful, exactly what I need."

Alberto initially found the photo on this blog during an internet search. 

His reply encourages me.  I think, we both love what we do, even if there's no money in it.

He gets to eat lasagna, more than I do.  That's Italian, right ?

So, I envy him, somewhat.

Another rewarding surprise came along during the month of October.

Mike's Ryukyu Gallery was included in Travel Bloggers Worth Following.

That tells me, for sure, at least someone comes by here to look at pictures.

It is nice to know that other folks in the travel blog-writing-world recognize your work.

Sometimes Travel Writing Pays

 

It's the law. Before I send you over there, I have to disclose something.

The good people over at Yahoo pay me for this so, it has to be professional.

Here's my latest international travel article:

5 Things to Know About UNESCO Zakimi-Jo Castle 

 Suppose you and a few million of your friends went over to see me at Yahoo !

Wouldn't that be neat ?

They'd pay me, even more, I bet.

Whoa Baby Let's Go to Kanucha Fun Fun Club !

The skies cleared over Okinawa today.

So, I told Doc Graff we should probably check out that resort up north.

And we did.  But, it was just a whirlwind tour.  I have to go back, again, someday.

They have a replica of the home Bill Clinton was born in.  Can you imagine that?

He was the guy who made, "I did not....with that woman" popular, I think.

I'm not too fond of politicians.  It doesn't matter if they are left, right, or undecided.

So, we decided to go get some lunch.

Over at the front office, we met some really nice people.

 Behind the front desk was a woman named Nyein Su.

When I asked where was a good place to eat a light lunch, she pointed me in the right direction.

She spoke English and gave us all sorts of literature about the resort.

For now, I'll just give you a link to the Kanucha English Homepage.

The Famigo Lounge was where we headed next.

 They said I could use my camera so, here's a view looking back out of the place.

 My favorite, Goya Chanpuru, was on the menu so that's what I ordered.

Doc didn't fool around taking pictures of his food.  He just dug in and started eating.

And, had a good laugh, when I couldn't finish all mine.

This plaque saying the resort is the Traveler's Choice Winner for 2012 caught my eye.

But, wait 'til I tell the Missus what else I saw at the Kanucha Resort.

DOGS ARE WELCOME THERE, TOO.

Whoa baby, guess where we're going for our anniversary?

Dog Photo Essay: Ryukyu Inu and Husky Mutts Meet at the Beach

These guys are the Ryukyu Inu, a breed of dog native to Okinawa, Japan.

They get an early morning walk, on the beach, every day by Papasan.

The guy dogs figure it's their job to keep other male dogs off the beach.

When they saw a couple of Husky mutts tied to the coffee machine they decided it would be best to go over there and bite them.  That's how Papasan wound up getting tripped by leashes, landing on his rear end.

The good-natured guy that he is, Papasan gets a grip on things and decides to let the boys introduce themselves to each other.

The gal dog doesn't really need to meet more guys.

The brown Ryukyu Inu must have whispered fighting words in the brown Husky mutt's ear.

One thing, for sure, Russian dogs and Japanese dogs all understand each other's language.

The Husky with the red harness is half Chow Chow so, he may know a little Chinese, too.

When dogs get talking like this they can't hear anybody else talking around them.

It's just like when a couple of old women get talking in the supermarket and are blocking the aisle. 

That ever happen to you?

You could say, "Excuse me."  Or, even try to tell them the place is on fire, and they just don't hear you.

Sometimes, I just take their groceries and put them in my cart.  Then, hope they have a nice day.

Dogs are different.  Papasan and I figured it out.

We turned them loose and let them clean each other's clocks.

The Ryukyu Inu guys ran off to the beach.  And they're probably thinking,

 "We showed them."

The Husky Mutts came back to the coffee machine.

Papasan and I sat and drank iced coffee and the Ryukyu gal dog stayed with us in the shade.

The Husky Mutts were probably thinking, "We showed them."

Oops.  It's time to take my gal grocery shopping.  Groan.

Have a nice day!