5 Images Shot Under Sunny Skies in Kunigami

November Is Becoming a Favorite Month

The heat is tolerable and the typhoon threat should have ended for the year.

Ideal weather, for being outdoors, led to a trip on the northeast side of the island.

There was no plan, other than, get out of town and, shoot some cameras.

The first interesting subject that popped up was, this abandoned boat.

It's got to be the original, Queen Izena ferry. How cool is that ?

It makes you wonder, why no one thought of putting it on display in a museum.

Someone did, paint "Clean Yo Beach" on the side. That sounds like a good idea.

A little farther north, these rocks caught my attention.

During low tide fishermen, climb them and, sit out there, hoping to catch some big ones.

If, I had to go fishing for food, I'd starve to death. It's not in my bag of tricks.

But, some folks can stay out there all day, not catch any and, still be happy.

One of my friends says, "A bad day of fishing, beats a good day, stuck at home!"

The big lenses stayed home today and, that was a mistake.

The Osprey was perched on an offshore rock and, this photo was taken at 350MM.

If a larger lens was used, I believe, there was a fish in that guy's talons.

That's alright, a bad day with the camera, beats being stuck in my office.

This Japanese sign, cheered me up, when I spotted some funny English on it.

"Think Globally, Act Yanbarly" sounds like a nice thing to do. Don't you think ?

Yanbaru or, Yambaru, is what the northern area is called, in local dialect.

People around the globe should act like Yambaru folks and, the world could be a better place.

Somebody, coined a new phrase and, wants us all, to act Yanbarly.

Well, I'll drink to that as soon as, I get out of this office. Go out and be Yanbarly, to everybody.

This last photograph was taken, heading south on the highway, to get home.

Confirmation is pending but, I think it may be a special rock formation.

If, my suspicions are confirmed, there's a juicy story, I can tell you, later.

Unlike many news outlets, these days, I think, it's important to tell the truth.

So, we'll have to wait for an expert's opinion before, I can give you the details.

Giving some rock in the ocean, a false name, wouldn't be a very Yanbarly thing to do.

Don't you agree ?

Catch of the Day -- Kids Fishing

Here's a Scene You Don't Run Across Every Day

 

 

These youngsters had a fishing pole and, knew how to use it.

Instead of walking around, glued to smart phones, they went down to the river.

They enjoyed the fresh air provided by nature and, caught some fish.

Camera:  Pentax K3

Lens:  Pentax 300MM and 1.4 converter  Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/6.3   1/1000   ISO 100  

Location:  Okukubi River, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  APR 28  2016  4:08PM

Lookin' Back at the SEP 2015 Supermoon

It Really Pays to Look Back

 

 

Shooting the full moon is something, I try to do every month.

It's always a good idea to get out there and scout out a good location to shoot from, early.

My walk, last night started shortly after 5PM and, things were looking grim.

At the mouth of the Okukubi River, I walked out on the seawall.

The elderly woman, fishing chuckled when, I told her I was going to shoot the supermoon.

The photos in this animated GIF were taken at 6:22PM.

The plan was, to catch the moon rising over the horizon and, it probably wouldn't happen.

About 6:30, I decided it had been a wasted night and started heading back to town.

My tripod had been set up farther out on the seawall, past the old woman.

The wind was kicking up. I wished the woman good luck and headed for shore.

Before, I got off the seawall, the moon appeared and, I was glad I had looked back.

A quick shot was taken but, I knew it wouldn't be a keeper; things were too shaky.

Time: 6:37PM

Once, I hit land, I set up the tripod again and snapped another shaky image, in the wind.

Time: 6:40PM

It didn't seem like things would get any better and, I had a long walk home ahead of me.

Walking back up the river, the wind started to die down and, I kept looking back. 

 If you don't like stubborn people, you probably wouldn't want to meet me.

Following the road upstream, I kept stopping and, looking back at the moon, for a clear shot.

Time: 7:08PM

From one end of the river, to the other, I kept walking and, checking on the moon.

By the time, I reached the Kin Dam, it peeked through the black clouds again.

Time: 7:46PM

 Heavy black clouds kept blowing across the moon and blocking it out.

After taking this shot, I figured my photography, for the night, was done.

Time: 7:47

Now, I'm sitting here wondering if that old gal caught any fish for her supper.

She probably shouldn't have cackled at me !

Territorial Bird -- Common Kingfisher

A Guy Finds a Favorite Fishing Spot

 

 

Nobody is supposed to come along and violate your fishing rights.

Well, things happen, sometimes.

Another Kingfisher decides to go fishing at the same spot.

And, he has to say something even if she, is his mate.

He has to be saying something like, "You stay on your side and, I'll stay on mine."

 These birds eat, about 60%of their body weight in fish, daily.

They don't want anybody interfering with the food supply, especially some girl or, wife.

This dispute ended peacefully but, it doesn't always happen that way.

Sometimes, these birds will lock beaks and, see who can drown the other !

Related Post:

This Little Bird Whacks a Fish to Death

Just Wonder If We'll Get the Ocean Going Cowboy

There's No Other Way to Describe It

 

 

Preparing for the trip has me reviewing last year's experience.

We were invited to the 14th Annual Sailing Sabani Race from Zamami to Naha, Okinawa.

Researching online, I couldn't find much about camera techniques for an event like this.

The boat we were riding on, could be called a safety or, escort ship.

Anybody, who has ever been out to sea, knows it may be a rocking and rolling ride.

We left the Kerema Islands with our diesel engine roaring.

It's important, to get out to sea and give those sailing sabani boats some room.

It's a good thing they made us wear life-jackets.

The sun, surf, wind in my air and, even the smell of salt water and fish, are alright by me.

But, I'm a cameraman, looking for the team, I'm supposed to be shooting.

  Shoot Still Photos of Moving Subjects from a Moving Platform

 

You know what that's like ?

Go ride one of those mechanical bulls and try throwing darts at a bulls-eye, at the same time.

If you get thrown off, at least you won't land in the ocean !

We were guests aboard this vessel so, I can't complain.

The man and crew (his wife) are probably professional fisherman and, good at what they do.

It just seemed like, when you least expect it, the boat would suddenly, shift positions.

WA WA Wa Wa  VAROOM

The boat goes in one direction and, the (softly cussing) cameraman, in another.

Some sort of agreement will have to be worked out this year.

Maybe, someone could give a signal when it's time to spin the ship's wheel or, gun the throttle.

Or, maybe, I should just quit being an old grouch.

There Is a Live Matsuri in Town Tonight

Six or eight bars will be having roving entertainment and, I'll be shooting.

One place, has a mechanical bull, too.

Reckon, I should practice shooting with a camera, while riding ?

Politicians Should Take Up Fishing

Today I Visited Drowning Worms

 

 

No kidding, there is a website called Drowning Worms.

They have all kinds of nifty stuff about fishing.

So, I snooped around, looking for some inspiration before posting today's photo.

They had a quote from Will Rogers that tickled me, I want to share here.

"If all politicians fished instead of spoke publicly, we would be at peace with the world."

Here's the Deal

 

Somebody should start taping their mouths shut.

The rest of us will start collecting funds to buy them all fishing gear !

Just Call This Striated Heron the Bird of the Week

It Made Some Awkward Poses

 

 

The Little Heron was comical at times but, it was an interesting bird to watch.

Hopefully, when they finish building the Kin Dam, we'll see more of them.

These birds, are nowhere near, as large as a Grey Heron.

But, they have some colorful markings.

The heron was scouting out the Okukubi River, close to the new dam.

They like to eat fish and even call out to them.

 Sometimes, they aren't so lucky at catching anything but, that happens to people, too.

 Once, the little rascal got more than it could handle so, it let one get away.

Did that ever happen to you, when you went fishing ?

Me neither.  I eat, mostly hamburgers.  Hah !

Travel Photo: Educational Street Art in Itoman Okinawa

A talented artist painted this on corrugated metal.

It is displayed at the Uminchu Art and Craft Center near Itoman Port.

It gives an excellent overview of what to expect when you enter this museum.

The sabani boat and tools of the fishing culture are shown here.

And, they wrote the names of each item, in language even I, can understand.

Why You Should Let Someone Else Do the Fishing

This is a photo I shot at a local fish market.

Some people just aren't the best at catching fish and, I'm one of them.

So, I have to count on real fisherman to get the job done and pay their prices.

Watch this video.  I bet he learns to fish better or, starts paying, like I do.



Wildlife Photo Essay: Territorial Dispute: Grey Heron vs Osprey

Territorial disputes between Grey Herons and Osprey don't last very long. This series of photos was taken November 25, 2010. along the West Coast of Okinawa, Japan, It started at 3:50PM and was over 3:51PM. That's under two minutes by my calculations.

The Grey Heron arrives and looks for a spot to do some fishing along the shore at half tide.

He stakes his claim, landing in the shallows at 3:50PM but, detects something following him into the area.

He spots an Osprey wanting to fish in the same spot. That's just unacceptable. I was here first.

Hey, up there! This is my territory. I got here before you and you're not invited. All the fish here are mine !

Ospreys are not allowed here. This place is OFF LIMITS. Scram, go fish somewhere else. I mean it !

Dang, he was fast. Where'd that sucker go?  Well, I guess that takes care of him !

What the..... ?  He's coming back again!  Maybe I didn't make myself clear.

Osprey, I said beat it. Don't make me have to get physical. I'm wearing a black belt. Know what I mean?

Time: 3:51PM  Osprey says "Dude, chill.  I'm outa here".

Osprey: "Like what's up with these Grey Herons. Whole ocean's full of fish but, they want to claim  part of it all for themselves. Stupid birds are starting to act more like humans everyday. What's up with that"?

The whole world could learn from watching wildlife settle territorial disputes. Don't you think?