Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of December 2014

Landing Gear

DEC 2014 Full Moon

Photography: Some Late Bloomers from November 2014

Editor's Picks That Somehow Got Missed

 

 

Here Comes Dinner

Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis

These were photos selected as Editor's Picks for the month of November 2014.

Somehow, I failed to detect them until this morning.

Blame it on my hospital visit, drugs, the weather or, whatever you like.

Editor's Picks for the Month of November 2014

Sabani Boat Racing

Stairway to Heaven -- Not

Supermoon SEP 2014

Photography: Editor's Picks for the Month of August 2014

Eisa Drums

Obon Full Moon

Editor's Picks for the Month of July 2014

July 2014 Full Moon 

Kin Bridge Okinawa Japan 

Sabani Sailing Race

Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of March 2014

One Flower -- One Person -- One Bird

 

 

With half the month spent indoors, due to foul weather,  there won't be any complaints.

Things should be warming considerably and we'll be hitting the trails more often.

There are some exciting photo shoots, lined up in the upcoming weeks and months.

Here are the latest images selected by the judges in the photo contest for March.

 2014 Iris in Okinawa

Okinawan Master of Karate

Stalking Heron

Sailing Sabani Boat Along with Five More Editor's Picks

Energy Efficient

The Latest Editor's Picks by Better Photo

 

 

The sabani photo was placed at the top of the pile because it was made vertically.

Some folks call that portrait style and, usually, I don't shoot that way.

That's mostly because I'm not a portrait type of photographer.

Happy and Healthy an Okinawan Woman

Northern Lapwing

Smallest Full Moon of 2014

Tomigusuku Kingfisher

 Head Butting Contest

More about the Goat Fights at Sesoko Jima may be seen at Japan Travel.

Recently Discovered Editor's Picks (Images)

Fast: The Only Way to Bee

Sometimes They Just Give You A Surprise

 

 

Running around the these islands, trying to document everything, keeps me busy.

So, almost regularly, I forget to check on photo contest entries.

Here are a two photos that became Editor's Picks sometime in the past.

Maybe the judges selected them when I was off, doing important stuff.

When I get busy with the cameras or, beer, I forget to check-in with them.

The photo above, was taken September 11, 2013.

Before the October 2013 Full Moon

Catching Up on Okinawa's Seemingly Endless Summer

This Isn't a Complaint

 

 

 

 

It's as if there are only two seasons on this island.

Hot.   And, Not.

It's  November.  So, that's how I got dressed this morning. 

Long trousers, t-shirt with sleeves and, I hand carried a jacket; November stuff.

Now, I'm at the office, thinking about turning the air conditioner on.

It's nice enough, outside, to take a swim at the beach.

But, all the running around with cameras has got me way behind on the website stuff.

Forcing myself to get caught up, turned out to be a good idea.

 

 

That's How These Editor's Picks Were Discovered

 

 

 

Hanabi in Okinawa

Taken: JUL 27, 2013

Dragonfly:  Okinawa Cho-tombo

Taken: AUG 28, 2013

Into the East China Sea

Taken: SEP 4, 2013

Where the Sun Don't Shine

Taken: SEP 11, 2013

Split Decisions

Taken: SEP 14, 2013





Dam Duck

Taken: SEP 18, 2013

Harvest Moon

Taken: SEP 19, 2013

Ayakaji at Ou-jima

Taken: SEP 22, 2013

All the Activities on Okinawa Make You Lose Sense of Time

 

Somebody should remind us when summer is over.

Chasing wildlife, festivals, belly dancers, bugs, ballet and bar-hopping gets a guy confused.

It's looking like we're getting caught up on all the administrative details.

But, I'd better double check everything, tomorrow.

Before you know it, the not so hot season will be here.

And, Santa Claus, is supposed to come to town !



Related Post:  How I Became Santa Forever



Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of July 2013

The Umimaru and Crew at Sea


 

Longhorn in the City

Sabani Race June 30, 2013

Ryukyu Damselfly

Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of June 2013

Plumeria Flower and Plant in Okinawa

Paraglide in Okinawa

Asian Melastome a Wildflower in Okinawa

Editor's Picks for the Month of April 2013 (Photos)

Contest Judges Selected These 3 Photos

 

April is always a busy month for photographers in Okinawa, Japan.

There isn't much time left at the end of the day to process photos for contests.

 It's always nice to see the judges select a few for recognition.

The story behind each photo and camera information may be seen via title links.

The photos are at much higher resolution on the website.

Sunny Day in March

The Iris and the Dragon's Tongue

Black-tailed Gull at Red Beach Okinawa

Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of March 2013

Strange Things Happen Sometimes

 

There weren't a lot of photos entered in contests this month because March keeps me too busy.

These photos were the only ones to receive Editor's Picks.

The strange thing is, they were both taken at the same location in Okinawa, Japan.

 Long Life Stone in Okinawa

 

Green Tree Frog of Okinawa, Japan

The photos were taken on different days at locations only a few hundred meters apart.

And the frog photo made it all the way to the University of California.

That Stone Garden in Motobu must have some good ju-ju, is what I'm thinking.

What I plan on doing is a TripAdvisor Review on that place.

Maybe, if you visit Shizen Sekitei (自然石庭) you'll start having good luck, too !

Editor's Picks (Photos) for the Month of Jan 2013

Female Priests of Okinawa

 Mountain Tiger Butterfly

Mejiro in Sakura (桜) 2013

At the Butterfly House in Okinawa

White Wagtail (Montacilla alba)

January is only half way over but, I probably won't enter any more photo contests.

 Sakura (桜) Season has started and, I plan on being busy.

The Cherry Blossoms are turning the hills brilliant colors and I don't want to miss them.

So, don't count on me hanging around here when I can be out with the cameras.

In the event any more Editor's Picks turn up we'll see them at the end of January 2013.

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.