Migratory Visitor Bird Image - Little Bunting

Wintering in Okinawa

Luckily, I have an internet friend who speaks Dutch and hooked me up with this bird ID.

Whenever I find a critter (like this) which becomes unidentifiable, I turn to Facebook.

I submit a photo to a Closed Group named "Determinatie van planten en dieren."

In English, I give them the location the animal was photographed in and ask for help.

Within hours, sometimes minutes, I get an identification.

My friend got me into this Closed Group somehow but, I won't reveal her name.

She's like some kind of magic lady and, I don't want the CIA hunting her down.

When I posted this photo to Facebook, she was the first one to identify the bird.

She opened a 300-page bird book and the Little Bunting was the first bird to show up.

Hey! The CIA Could Use People Like Her

First, let me tell you where you can learn more about this bird.

Handbook of the Birds of the World, tells you where they come from.

Old World Europe, Russia, and northern China have these birds.

They must not like snow so, they winter in the southern climates.

More could be found in Wikipedia but, I think the CIA doesn't like them anymore.

CIA Dudes can reach me by email, for more information on that woman.

But, they better be talking some big bucks or, I won't say nothing!

The Winner Is Photo #1

Getting Business Cards Printed

A decision had to be made about, which image to display on my meishi (business cards).

Last night, I posted three photos on Facebook and, asked folks to help me decide.

There's a lot of Okinawa experts on Facebook and, I value their opinions.

But, to get more rounded advice, I went the extra mile and, did some bar hopping.

Using an unscientific method, I asked only Ryukyu people, which photo they'd choose.

When you look at the photos, which one most represents Ryukyu Life ?

Knowing, there are bird lovers, around the globe, I knew they would vote for the Mejiro.

Some, even suggested gold or silver text, would make this image pop.

But, other folks said the Mejiro, doesn't necessarily represent Okinawa.

These little birds live in mainland Japan and, Hawaii, too.

This image of an 8 year old girl performing sign language with a band, is a favorite of mine.

It was selected by men and women, on Facebook and, out in town.

It was especially a favorite, of those who heard the story, behind the image.

It's another photo that would go great with white, gold or, silver print.

First Photo Got the Most Responses

There was no need, to tally the numbers and, scratch them down on paper.

Verbally and, on Facebook, the top picture, represented Ryukyu, to the most people.

If you found 3 women in a bar, 2 out of 3, would select that image.

So, I had plenty of fun, doing my research last night. Business is business. I work hard.

One guy, came up with something, I hadn't thought of, though.

"Mike, there's no Eisa picture in there. Eisa is Ryukyu," he said.

But, out of the three, he liked photo #1 the most.

A bit more editing on the Yotsudake dancer above and, she's going to the print shop !

Drivel Can Get Annoying on Facebook

Screenshot Compliments of Google Search

It May Hurt Someone's Feelings

The "Like and Share" -- "Copy and Paste" Facebook hooligans did it again.

Each morning, I check the iPhone before, heading off to work, on a real computer.

It's nice, to get rid of all the junk mail and, peek at Facebook activity, while still at home.

There are Friends, photographers, writers and business associates, in my Facebook feed.

We share things, that may be of interest to other friends of ours. That's cool.

And, I'm sure, we all get our fair share of things, that ain't so interesting.

I might hit the "Like" button because, somebody taped their kid's picture on the fridge.

But, won't share it on my Timeline for everyone else, to see.

Like stuff, don't Like it; so far, we still have freedom of choices. And, that's cool, too.

Some, "Drivel" gets sent around, with your name tagged or via Facebook Messenger.

These days, it's hard to tell if, it really came from your friend or, a hacker.

Matter of fact, it could even be some Facebook marketing study, generating the drivel.

Human beings, have enough brains to Like or Share, whatever they want to.

If, they don't like something they probably, won't share it. Know what I mean ?

Robots can probably be programed, to do those sorts of things. 

For Any Robot Friends Out There

 Things that go around on Facebook labeled, Like and Share + Copy and Paste:

If, you have a son, daughter, grandchild, pet, you love with all your heart

If, you had a dog, cat or parakeet with an underarm rash

If, you know someone who is a nurse, teacher, doctor or, in the military

If, someone or, something you loved, died and went to heaven

If, you know a cancer victim or, someone with a fever

If, you agree or disagree with some political bullcrap, happening in some part of the world

If, everything should be free and nobody, should have to pay taxes

This Could Go On and On Indefinitely 

Instead, I'll cut it short.  Just remember, it has to be something emotional, tear-jerking.

The subject must be something, that grabs your attention for action.

Not really, a cold-blooded, heartless individual, I'm part human, too.

Should Facebook, ever decide, to let me filter out "Like/Share/Copy/Paste, I'd do it.

The Drivel pisses me off and sometimes, ruins my day.

Any Friends who, would like to Unfriend me because of this rant. Please do !

Just read this article, on your way out the door, concerning why, I consider you ROBOTS.

END OF RANT

Osprey the Bird and Toenails

If It Wasn't for Facebook

This old photo would not have been resurrected from the files. A friend sent me something.

We were in northern South Vietnam many moons ago and, haven't seen each other since.

With all the modern technology, available these days, we're hooked-up on Facebook, now.

It's kinda neat.  We can joke with each other anytime of the day or night.

It would be even more fun if, they'd serve booze on Facebook. Maybe, that's next.

Anyhow, he sent me this cartoon of an old guy whispering, that made me think.

"Please do not wear flip flops if your feet look like they could swoop out of the sky and snatch

 

your dinner from a lake."

So, I went and cut my toenails !

Quick Redneck Repair: How to Fix an Outhouse Door

Sing a Little Tune While You Work

Imagine what a shock it was, to discover this during my daily stockholder's meeting.

Sitting inside the crap-house, I noticed someone had cracked the wooden door.

There probably wasn't any criminal intent involved. I think I know what happened.

This isn't one of those old fashioned outhouses. It has running water and electricity.

Out behind my office, anyone wandering the back streets can gain access.

It may have been some drunk, somebody's grandma or, little kids that needed to use the potty.

When you close the door tight, it sticks. And, they may have kicked it, to get out of there.

Only, they didn't know, it's best to kick the door frame, not the plywood veneer. Dagnabbit !

People Around the World Shouldn't Get Upset So Easily

Somebody busted my outhouse door. Big deal. At least nobody crapped in the alley.

It's a cold rainy day and I haven't repaired a busted door in ages. Smile and have some fun.

Over on Facebook, plenty of people keep whining about the new US president.

Well, they only had two dumb-asses to chose from and, one of them actually won.

It would be nice if, everybody, would just get on with their lives and, look at the bright side.

There's crazy things like girls buying fake camel-toe underwear on Facebook, too.

Instead of getting my underpants, all up in a wad, I decided - Go fix the door on the crapper.

Be happy and sing or, whistle a little tune, while getting the chores done.

This isn't some five star resort, I'm working out of so, repairs would be kept inexpensive.

A guy like me, doesn't pay much more than two-hundred and fifty bucks for rent.

So, I figured the repairs could be made with items, hanging around my work-space.

A couple of C-clamps, scissors and duct tape, had the job completed in minutes.

While the damn wind was blowing the door around, I started singing.

"Swinging on the outhouse door. And there was granny, swinging on the outhouse door."

Danged if I could remember the rest of the tune. But, I had fun, anyway.

The veneer was squeezed with C-clamps, a little bit too much and, a chunk popped out.

So, I skillfully wiggled it back into place. "Don't let the outhouse door ruin your day" I said.

And kept singing, trying to remember the rest of the song. Like a busted record, I was.

But, I was happy and,  left a little note on my completed repairs. Do Not Kick.

Maybe, I'll go  back later and write, Kick Here over on the door frame, later.

The Rest of the Story

Just to prove (to myself) I'm not crazy, I had to do some research on that song.

There really is a song, "Swinging on the Outhouse Door."

From Arkansas University Digital Collections, granny was "swinging without her nightie."

Somebody at Mudcat Cafe says "Grandpa was yelling More, More More!"

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive says Grandpa yelled "Get your nighty back on."

Over at Ultimate Camp Resource, Grandpa found the nightie and went swinging with her.

If, you want to spend 99 cents, go to Amazon and, I guess the tune's available.

I've already invested enough in repairing that door so, I ain't spending any money, today.

Checking out the Camel-toe undies, I found out, they are popular in Asia.

Let's just hope, no animals are being harmed in the production of this new fashion !


Related Post: Throne Makeover (DIY) and The Dancing Queen

That Time Jerry Hit Me with the Sliders

Three Cameramen Walk into a Bar

One was from Oklahoma, one from Wisconsin and, I'm right here.

It wasn't for the purpose of drinking booze or, anything like that.

We heard a rumor, they served Black Angus cow meat there so, that's why we went.

First, I offered to pay for the lunch because, I had money.

But, the senior guy, insisted on buying for everyone.

Out of respect (maybe) I said, "Alright."

The other two guys, ordered regular size  burgers.

In the past, I had been cautioned about the double burger.

It's way too much for the average person, to eat.

So, that's what I ordered. I don't like being average.

If, you stop and think about it; that's too easy.

Of course, everyone was done eating, before me.

It was quite a filling meal and, took some doing.

Jerry, the guy from Oklahoma, decided to shoot me.

He's actually some sort of preacher, I'd say.

But, he don't mind hearing me cuss so, he's OK.

Don't worry. There was some pretty women in the place.

The gentlemen side of me won't cuss around ladies.

I just pretended, I was a normal person and, ate.

And, Jerry, fired away with his Fuji camera.

These Aren't My Photos

After, he downloads the images, Jerry does some photo processing, to spiff things up.

He likes to play with the sliders, the editing program gives you, for adjustments.

So, the images, of me eating sliders, got tweaked with sliders, too.

He sent them to me and, it gave me an idea. Put them on my blog if, he would consent.

Even though, the subject is me, I don't own the copyright to those images.

So, before posting them, I had to get the photographer's permission.

Look up Jerry TheDissenter on Facebook, to see more of his work.

Then, come back here and let me know something.

Do I look better, eating the sliders on full color or, black and white ?

Really a Small World -- Part II of 2016 Uchinanchu Parade

Grandpa What Are You Doing ?

Well, I was as surprised, to see her as, she was to see me.

Number one granddaughter knows, I don't drive but, there I was in Naha.

Way up above the crowds, where someone my age probably, shouldn't be.

She's nineteen years old and, going to some beauty school in the big city.

She shows up and, I can't get down, to hug her, like I normally do.

Grandpa's working, can't see she the two big cameras, hanging off my neck ?

Kids grow up too fast. I remember, when I used to have to, wipe her butt.

Now, she laughs at me because, I don't know how to swipe those new cellular phones.

Back to the Parade

Tonight, I developed some images, to show the different countries involved in this event.

Again, they are in the marching order, they came down the street.  Not, alphabetical.

Guam

Canada

Argentina

Peru

Bolivia

Many more countries, banners, flags and groups of citizens were here.

So far, camera number one, has been screened and photos developed.

Whether there will be a Part III and IV depends on availability of time for processing.

Meanwhile, dozens of images may be seen in the Facebook album.

Today I Shot Somebody Else's Pictures

Shawn Miller's Nature Therapy Photo Exhibition

 

 

It's happening right now and, this is one you won't want to miss.

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, let me enter for free.

We call the place OIST for short and it's better than being in some UNESCO Castle, to me.

Once, I got handed a visitor's pass by the security guard, I could go anywhere.

All I really wanted to do, was find Shawn's photography, on display and do some shooting.

 They have little cards, below each image, showing scientific names.

It's not my job, give the nomenclature away, I was just taking photos today.

People should go there, themselves and, take notes if, they're curious about nature stuff.

Here's an image showing a crab, living in a home made from beach trash.

Shawn is a champion of nature and the environment and, wants to educate the public.

The crab, would have a seashell, for a home but, he's doing the best he can.

When, there's more garbage on the beach than, seashells, crabs have to improvise.

Many of the species, Shawn photographs are, going extinct.

If people learned to appreciate nature, these critters can survive.

It would have been nice, to meet Shawn at this exhibit but, he wasn't available.

So, I just sneaked around and, shot some of the photos, I liked best.

If the photographer, was there, I would have bought him lunch.

Well, I ended up, saving money and, swiped some of his images, instead.

He, won't mind because, I'm trying to drum up some visitors for the exhibit.

Check This Deal Out

 

 

Visit OIST and the Nature Therapy Exhibit and, you could win some of these photos.

Just go in there and, take a selfie, next to your favorite picture.

And, you have a chance to win some of Shawn Miller's prints !

Learn more about Shawn Miller on Facebook

Lizard Photos: Takydromus Something or Other Found in Okinawa

This One Has Me Stumped

 

 

It could be a Takydromus smaragdinus, dorsalis or, sauteri. I really don't know.

Using what information, I could gather, I checked about a dozen websites.

This character was in the weeds behind my office and posed momentarily for me.

Most of the day was spent researching to find the correct scientific name.

And, I must have looked at a few hundred thumbnail sized photos of lizards.

American, European, Chinese and Japanese websites were checked.

When, I came across a professor at Harvard's website, he convinced me to quit.

He said something like, he's been studying these critters all his life.

And, the more he learns, he realizes, the less he knows about them.

So, I slammed my laptop shut and took a break.

When I came back, I found a Takydromus Facebook Page and, signed myself up.

Then, bookmarked Lizards of Japan.

This case won't be closed until we find the correct ID for the rascal.

But, for right now, I don't want to get any dumber than, I already am.

UPDATED RESOURCES: We may ahve a Anolis carolinensis, here.

Animal Diversity Web

The Reptile Database

It's Mugishokunin Time So I'm Outta Here

That Would Be Orion Beer

Most of the day was spent cleaning camera gear and developing photos.

Three days of salt water and sand can damage a lot of expensive equipment.

So, I did plenty of cleaning and, even washed my tripod.

After catching up on all the emails and social media, I screened photos the rest of the day.

 There's no sense in getting burnt out looking at sabani boat images.

So, I figure it would be a good idea to loosen up with some Orion Beer. 

More Sabani Photos Were Uploaded to Facebook

Dancing with a Hangover

There Couldn't Be a Better Tune for This

 

 

If you've never woke up with a massive hangover, it's your own fault.

It's a good thing, I have a very understanding bride, over at my house.

At 9 o'clock this morning, I rudely awakened myself.

It was one of those long nights, out in the town, delivering some of last year's photos.

Lucky, for me, the office showed up, on my way home.

There's a whole bunch more bars to go to or, the cardboard box and sleeping bag.

Too tired and inebriated, for decision making, I went to sleep, in the office.

Whoever invented cardboard boxes and sleeping bags should get the Nobel Prize.

More than likely, my snoring woke me up.

Once I found my coffee and desk, I fired the Apple computer up.

Facebook, pretty much, owns everybody so, I have to go there after checking emails.

 I hate Facebook and the folks who are supposed to support you over at that Mac Computer place.

The rest of the world, I get along alright with.

Facebook, made my day, when somebody shared this tune, though.

Nobody will ever take the place of this guy:

The song must have been played 3 or 4 times before I noticed I had mail on my cell phone.

That's because, I do crazy stuff, like dancing around the room with my tripods.

Listen to that tune. If you just sit still, something's wrong with you.

Don't just sit there oozin' your life.

Out of respect for Louis Armstrong, you should dance with something.

A broomstick would work or, a petrified tree. Anything's better than nothing.

The Cell Phone Mail

Oops, I almost forgot.  Map It Okinawa Dude mailed me.

It seems like about 8:15AM the wife called him, asking to check up on me.

See, she knows he has a key to my office. And, when I forget to come home, I might be there.

It took a few minutes to type answers to the wife and Map It Dude.

I let everyone know, I'm alive and well and caught my breath.

Then, went back and listened to Sachmo and danced a few dozen more times.

It cures hangovers, too !

Amcham Okinawa Colleague Published These Photos

Shuri Castle Gate

Tsunami Relief for Japan

Dragonboat in Naha

What the Heck is an Amcham ?

 

 

It ain't French, Spanish, Chinese or Korean.  I checked.

We were out celebrating last night and I only had one copy of the magazine to show everybody.

The wife and all my sweethearts, at every bar, wanted to know.

What's an Amcham ?

So, I just told them, it must be some kind of code-word.

Amcham, probably means, something like American Chamber of Commerce.

Americans like to do stuff like that.

For example, I use code words, whenever I go out drinking.

All the girls, working behind the bars know.  If I say "I love you," it doesn't mean I love them.

It means, I need another beer.

The missus knows, I do that, everywhere I go so, she doesn't get jealous.

She just says, "Do you still have money?"

After I have told about 5 or 6 girls, I love them, it's time to start singing some karaoke.

And, I do stuff like this:

All girls like to hear that song, even more, than me telling them I love them.


When I woke up this afternoon, the throat and head were both aching.


And, I don't know where that Amchan Magazine went.


But, I have more at the office. So, I did some research.


Amcham is part of the American Chamber of Commerce from the USA.


The President, at the time of their 60th anniversary, was Walt Christiansen.


He's an alright, old guy, you can poke LIKE over where he works.



And, if you like poking things over on Facebook, here's what you could do.

Go poke the people at the American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa.

That's where I'm heading next.

Zuckerberganator Dudes and Dudettes -- I Ain't Buyin' It !

Little Message from Facebook

 

 

 

 

Mike's Ryukyu Gallery's post "Will meet with..." is performing better than 90% of other posts on that page.

Promote it to get even better results.

So, I take some screenshots and see what's going on.

Will meet with him, when I'm a little... 65

Couldn't wait 'til Xmas so, I'm wear...104

That'd be alright by me. A Pink Chr...98

These folks got me trazzeled: http...143

Time to bug out of the office: http...56

Something Just Doesn't Add Up Correctly There

Maybe, a few of my redneck cronies fall for the gimmick.

For anywhere from a dollar, to $30 a day y'all can give me a boost ?

I ain't buyin' it.

End of rant.

PS  It would be nice if somebody could get those red bubbles, to quit moving around, too.



Working Portrait of the Week: The Cameraman

  A Little Explanation

 

First, the sun isn't going to shine, like that again, the rest of this week.

Secondly, that's a woman, shooting the big camera.  I know.

Cameraman, is what I call her.

Cameralady, just doesn't sound right.

At the Itoman Sabani Races

 

There isn't much time for socializing, when you're shooting a boat racing event.

They were giving opening ceremony speeches when I asked her.

"Are you a cameraman?"

She replied in the affirmative.  And, I got permission to shoot her.

But, forgot to ask her name !

Another Tropical Storm Is Brewing

 

I know, there won't be anymore photos, of this sort, coming out of my camera, the whole week.

 Maybe, this gal will find me over on Facebook.

Then, I can find out who she is and,  give her a printed, working portrait.

And, possibly, I'll get a model release signed, too !

 

 



Flower Photos: Mexican Creeper Has Lots of Names

People Either Love or Hate This Plant

 

 

 

Some sweetheart working for Kin Town called it Queen's Necklace, her favorite flower.

She spotted the plant on my feature photo, yesterday.

So, I pulled-up my pending flower files to show you some now, that we have an ID.

Scientists would call it Antigonon leptopus.

It is also known as Coral Vine or Bride's Tears.

University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants isn't too wild about them.



The Wikipedia folks say aboriginal Baja Californians, used the seeds like popcorn.

Want the recipe ?

Queen's Crown and Queens Wreath are some other names the vine is called.

And, in Cajun country they call it Rose of Montana Vine.

That's just a few of the names, I saw at Dave's Garden.

They say, birds, bees and butterflies love these flowers, too.

From what I've seen, the vines can grow fairly long and, high.  So, it got me thinking.

If you planted some of this stuff around a house trailer, bill collectors wouldn't find you !