Tiled Roof Monster and Dragonfly

Shisa or Dragon We Can't Be Sure

 

 

A major plumbing overhaul on my office got me out in the hot sun today.

So, I walked around with 420MM of glass on the Pentax K1 and, did some random shooting.

Sort of an old fashioned person, I haven't got one of those Pokeyman gadgets, yet.

Watching kids and adults, walking around like drones, I decided, I really don't need Pokeystuff.

A dragonfly kept landing on the dead twig of a tree and, taking off again.

So, I got in position, to shoot the thing, with blue skies, as a background. 

And, I got thinking, it would be nice if, I could shoot that dragonfly from a new angle.

It took a little while, some patience and maneuvering around, to get it done.

Well, I still had a few hours to kill and, got thinking about stuff, again.

Plenty of people running around, doing that Pokeyman stuff, are old enough to vote.

Back in the USA, they have 3 more months of mud-slinging to do, before the elections.

The monster on that tiled roof, would make a better President than, what's available now.

If he'd promise, to build a wall and, contain all the Pokeyman addicts, I'd go vote for him !

Testing the Pentax K1 Full Frame on a Bug in Flight

Dragonfly Landing

 

 

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM F4

Exposure:  f/11   1/6400   ISO 12800

Location:  Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  MAY 4 2016  11:26AM

Moving a Little Slow Today

 

 As much as I need to learn all the functions of this new camera, I took yesterday off.

It's Golden Week and, some time had to be spent with the family.

Another high-tech gadget, I've been learning to use, came along to the beach with me.

Unbeknownst to me, the thing makes movies, whenever it feels like.

Totally unedited, here's a minute movie, showing some of yesterdays events:

 

Okukuubi River Rocks and Red Dragonfly in a Motion GIF

Early morning on July, 3, 2014, I had a plan.

Up at 4:30AM, I walked the dogs before sunrise and was on the road with a camera by six.

The idea, was to get some wide angle photos of the Kin Bridge and Dam in early sunlight.

All that was done by eight o'clock and it was time to goof off, after that.

Off came the wide angle lens and the Sigma 50-500mm, replaced it.

This Crimson Marsh Glider kept landing on the same rock.

So, I locked the camera in position on the tripod.

And, fired away, to get you this GIF.

Dragonfly: The Okinawa Cho-tombo (オキナワチョウトンボ‏)

Scientific name: Rhyothemis variegata imperatrix

This image was taken today at the Southeast Botanical Garden in Okinawa, Japan.

Equipment used:  Pentax K5, tripod and Pentax DA50mmF1.8

Exposure:  f/1.8  1/3200   ISO 100

Blue-fronted Damselfly in Yambaru Forest Okinawa (Image)

Just a Couple of Lovebugs

 

It took a few hours to narrow down the search for a scientific name on this couple.

So, along with the photo, I'll show how I gotterdun.

The first thing to do is determine what the critter is, a dragonfly or, damselfly.

An excellent resource that gives a chart, showing the differences between the two is found at:

About.com Insects

That is where I learned these little lovers were damselflies.

Then, the search for Blue, Damselfly, Japan, Photos took me everywhere, looking at images.

Blue-fronted Dancer Damselfly (Argia apicalis) gave me all kinds of information.

Most important, to me, was getting a Latin name so, I could continue researching.

Using Agria apicalis, I discovered the bug on top is the male.  He's blue.

This information came from Trek Nature

One more site, I verified the Blue-fronted Damselfly at was BugGuide

Now that we have a positive identification, I'll try and get back up that way.

Using some faster glass (expensive lenses) I can get more detailed, sharper photos.

Maybe, someone with a video camera would like to go along.

Don't you think there's a demand for bug porn videos ? 

Wildlife Photo: A Dragonfly Named Blue Dasher and a Rant

A few nights ago, I was too burned-out to continue my research.

So, I went and posted this dragonfly as either a Orthetrum Triangulare or Glaucum.

The next morning, I came in and checked my Facebook Page.

BINGO !

A gal, all the way over in Texas, posted the correct ID on the critter.

My hat goes off to Vicky Vivona, a Facebook Fan who found me through MAP IT OKINAWA.

Researching these bugs can really drive a person crazy. 

And, I don't like misidentifying anything I post online. Scientists will jump all over you.

So, I'm glad somebody came along and corrected me, on this one.

The Blue Dasher got a doozy of a scientific name:

Pachydiplax longipennis

What could those scientists have been thinking of when they named this critter ?

I try to keep this blog family friendly.

Are you scientists ashamed of what's under your lab coats, or just some kind of nuts ?

You could have said longiwingus, er something like that. 

Dang !

END OF RANT

Dragonfly Photo: Orthetrum Triangulare or Glaucum

This dragonfly has me stumped.

It was photographed today at Kanna Dam in Okinawa, Japan.

It's going on 9PM and I decided it's time to go home.

Looking all over the internet for the proper ID can drive you buggy.

So, I figure I'll let you decide.

Is it a Orthetrum Triangulare, or a Orthetrum Glaucum ? 

It beats the devil outta me !


THIS JUST IN: THIS DRAGONFLY IS NEITHER OF THE ABOVE

HAVE A PEEK AT MY FACEBOOK PAGE

THERE WILL BE AN UPDATED DRAGONFLY ID, SHORTLY.

Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of December 2011

Here are the Editor's Picks selected by the judges at Better Photo for December 2011. 

STAIRCASE MADE OF LOGS

SUEYOSHI WATERFALL NAHA OKINAWA, JAPAN

RED DRAGONFLY

AZAKA WATERFALL

Instead of the  Photo of the Day, today I'll just leave you with these Editor's Picks.

Let's go visit SANTA GIRL and listen to some of her tunes before she disappears, again !

Wildlife Photo: Red Dragonfly (Trithemis aurora) Aka Tombo

Known as an Aka Tombo in Japan, this red dragonfly goes by the name of Crimson Marsh Glider in English speaking countries.  It's a Trithemis aurora, if you like scientific names.

These critters are usually found nearby wetlands, slow moving streams and drainage ditches.

They eat mosquitos, ants, flies, bees and wasps so, you should make friends with them when you go camping, hiking or fishing.  The Crimson Marsh Glider may be found throughout Asia and even some places in the Middle East.