12 Photos: Wordless Wednesday for the Birds

This Will Be a Short Dam Report

End of November

The weather is quickly changing from autumn to winter on this island, dammit.

It was the first time since March, I had to put socks on, along with the flip-flops.

When it gets below 20 degrees Celsius, that's something like the high 60's Fahrenheit.

Socks, bluejeans, flannel shirts and wool-lined jackets, ain't really my style.

But, I had to bundle-up to go work in my freezing office. I don't want to turn the heat on, yet.

All of a sudden, I stepped outside the office and the sun was shining. Whoa, baby!

A backpack got stuffed with cameras, lenses, lunch and a camping chair.

The jacket got chucked and, I hiked to see how the dam birds were doing.

The Ospreys were flying around Kin Dam, looking for fish. It must have been lunchtime.

The birds, don't exactly pose for the camera and, they move fairly quickly.

From the dam, also know an Okukubu, they search the Okukubi River, all the way to the ocean.

It might take 150 snaps of the shutter button, to catch a bird's golden eye.

If, the eye isn't lit up by the sun, just right, I usually throw the photo away.

Things got so busy, for a while, I forgot about eating the lunch I had packed away.

Who wants cheese, crackers, and canned tuna fish, anyhow?  Yuck.

Here's a photo of an Osprey, bragging about the fish it caught.

It would have been much nicer if, the bird was flying in blue skies and looked towards the sun.

Five hours out there with a heavy backpack and, I came home sweaty and sore.

End of the Dam Report

Visit Kin Dam

Osprey Identification Photos

Aircraft named Osprey

Bird named Osprey

Photo of Another Dam Osprey in Flight

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 MM + 1.4 HD Rear Converter - Focal Length 420 MM

Exposure:  f/7.1   1/6400   ISO 800

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 7 2015  2:43 PM

Sashiba (サシバ) Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle in Flight

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 with 1.4 Converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/7.1  1/2000  ISO 400

Location: Kin Dam Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JAN 21  2017   1:40 PM

More about the Buzzard Eagle

Colorful Irritated Kingfisher (カワセミ) at Kin Dam

The Base of Kin Dam

There wasn't much activity in the sky today but, I took a long camera walk, anyway.

Kawasemi (カワセミ) would be, what a Kingfisher is called, locally.

When, I saw it land, I was hoping, it might dive into the water below and, grab some fish.

Probably, a hundred images, of the bird, were taken, before it flew away.

The little character, seemed upset about something and kept, flapping its wings.

Maybe, there's a nest and mama bird, behind that netting and, he was warning them.

"Don't come out and, give away our position.  Wait until, I say it's all clear.

There's some idiot with a camera, on the bridge and, he keeps shooting, everytime, I move."

Flight of the Osprey

Fast Moving Bird

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM 1.4  Converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure: f/5.6  1/3200   ISO 3200

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 5 2016  2:24 PM

Animations: Don't Wanna Be No Dam Worker No More

It Seemed Like an Interesting Career

It's enjoyable, walking around the dam with a camera, Observing the wildlife.

When the weather is right, I may spend 10-12 hours of the day outdoors.

I might walk to the ocean and, follow the river, up to the dam.

Or, start by walking around the reservoir and, finish by walking the length of the river.

By now, everybody working at the Kin Dam, must recognize me.

Sometimes, I see the dam workers, driving patrol vehicles around on hot days.

Others, can be seen taking a boat, to do whatever they have planned.

It got me thinking, being a dam employee, might be a pretty cool way to earn a living.

But, one morning, no birds were flying so, I entertained myself, shooting this.

Three guys, in the bottom corner, were watching this guy, climb the spillway.

He, used a skimpy, little ladder, to get halfway up the dam spillway.

We can be fairly certain, he wasn't the foreman, of the crew.

Maybe, he was a new member on the team. What if the dam, sprung a leak, while he was up there?

Hah. I bet they told him, what to do if, something like that happened.

Just plug it with yer finger, until we get some cement to repair the hole.

The three crewmen, down below, departed the scene so, I watched the workman.

If he slipped and fell, I'd run and get some help. Where did everybody go ?

It's hard to tell. Maybe they went for a coffee break; it was too early to be lunchtime.

Once, I saw him get safely, back on the ground, I felt relieved.

A tune, from way back, popped into my head. Don't stick me on a dam, like that.

I'd come down off that spillway, go find the boss and, let him know something about the job.

What, I would tell him, is something similar, to this:

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

Pampas Grass in Motion (GIF) from Kin Dam

Uncooperative Birds Inspired

Weather Guru's were wrong, again today so, off to the dam, I went with a camera.

Let's backup, a minute so, you can see how this adventure got started.

In the dimly lit sleeping quarters, I occupy, the clock said, "6" so, I got up.

Sleep still in my eyes, I stumbled to the kitchen and, let the dog out, along the way.

Normal routine, drink iced coffee and smoke a few cigarettes, check the weather report.

During the second cup of coffee, I focused on the clock, in a room with lights on.

Eyes wide open, I made a discovery. It was three o'clock in the morning. Grr...

Little Things Shouldn't Let You Down

By 8 O'clock, I decided the weatherman was wrong.  It was windy but, a nice sunny day.

So, I packed some lunch, grabbed a tripod and camera and, walked to the Kin Dam.

The Big Sigma, with a converter attached, gave me 700MM of lens.

A couple of bird shots were taken but, none worth saving, in my opinion.

Hiking halfway around the dam, it started getting hungry out there. So, I ate.

Ospreys flew around a few times but, never in the right light.

It's best, to shoot birds, when the sun turns their eyes golden. Didn't happen.

On the return trip, I planned to exit the dam from up, above the Kin Bridge.

Late afternoon, that's a good spot, to catch ospreys flying, sometimes.

The wind was picking up and, my stomach started telling me, I was wasting my time.

To entertain myself, while waiting for birds, to not show-up, I composed this scene.

THere's no sense, walking to the damn dam and, coming home empty handed.

More About Pampas Grass in Okinawa

How the Osprey Does Lunch -- 10 Bird Images

Shortly Before Noon

 

 

It was one of rare days, in January, when the sun shined and weather warmed up.

Comfortable in flip-flops, I stuffed a pair of socks in my pocket, just in case.

Having celebrated the New Year for several nights in a row, I needed some exercise.

It had been months, since I walked around the Kin Dam and, I decided the time was right.

 Standing on a dirt bank, above the dam, I saw the bird circling overhead.

Then, it took a steep dive towards the water, directly in front of me.

The bird was staring at the water, with it's talons itching, to grab something.

Sometimes, they go home empty handed so, it can be a hit or miss operation.

 Ospreys have an extra eyelid, they can use as goggles, to see underwater.

But, this one, didn't seem to want to get its hair wet and, kept its head out of the water.

Maybe, it was a girl.  They worry about their appearance, in the people world, anyway. 

 It's times like this, you never know what's gonna happen.

Auto focus, I'm cussing at it, while shooting at 8 frames plus, per second.

If that bird, doesn't come up with a fish, I just wasted a gigabyte of my SD card.

Birds aren't the only critters, that get hungry around lunchtime; I'm starving by now.

OK.  Osprey, show us what you got !

 Now, I can see the bird has something hanging down from one talon.

Stuck at 420MM, I'm wishing I had of brought the big zoom lens, at this point.

The bird and fish, keep getting smaller and smaller the further away from me they went.

Hang tight.  The osprey, likes to do a victory lap and, show-off the catch.

It circles the area, while adjusting the fish so, it's facing forward.

It makes life easier for the bird, to get the fish in an aerodynamic position. 

Then, the bird squawks loudly, announcing to the rest of the world.

Osprey speak:  "I caught a fish everybody, ha, ha, ha.  How are you doing today?"

That's what makes me think, it might have been a guy osprey.  Girls, don't brag like that.

 The bird and fish, quickly buzz across to the other side of the dam.

And, I'm thinking, "It's time for me to get outta here, to go buy some lunch for myself."

Well, I should of known better.  The osprey wasn't done showing, his catch, yet.

After, disappearing out of sight, he turned around and circled the dam again.

 "Look here, y'all non-fishing ospreys.  I got me something for lunch!"

Ospreys are some of the coolest birds in the world, I only wish I could speak their language.

"Dude catch me a fish and, I'll buy you a beer," that's what I'd say !


Previous Osprey Entries

Bean Goose at Kin Dam in Okinawa

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 300MM W/1.4 converter for Focal Length of 420MM

Exposure:  f/11  1/160  ISO 200

Location:  Kin Town Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JAN 7 2016  12:42PM 


Related Post: Return of the Bean Goose to Kin Town in Okinawa

Travel Photo: Out Shooting the Dam with an Old Friend

It's Been a Few Years Since I Last Used this Camera

 

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 got dusted off and taken to Kin Dam today.

The Pentax K3 was mounted on a tripod and, waiting for some birds to fly by.

After a few days of cold weather and rain, it was time to get and get some sun and exercise.

A bit of a chilly breeze started blowing so, I reached in my camera bag for a windbreaker.

That's when, I remembered, I had brought the little Panasonic along.

When, I yanked my jacket out of the bag, the camera went flying and, crashed to the ground.

The poor camera was sent in for a tune-up earlier this year and, came back like brand new.

It cost a few hundred bucks but, I liked that old camera. And, now it's busted, again.

That's what I figured, I deserved anyway. Here's the test photo, I shot.

Exposure:  f/5.6  1/500   ISO 100

Focal length: 7MM

Location: Just off HWY 104 standing above the Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: DEC 9 2015  3:08PM

A similar shot was taken from the same location with the camera at f/11.

But, dark clouds had rolled into the scene so, it's been digitally disposed of; trash.

And, I will have a big decision to make if, this blog ever hits 2 million views.

For the celebration:

Should I give away the Panasonic or, the Cannon G12 ? 

Related Post:

 Panasonic DMC-FZ50 Review of a Good Old Camera

Traveling Around the Kin Dam -- Photos and Commentary

Flip-flop Friendly and Fun

 

 

Enough visits have been made to write a book about this attraction but, I won't. 

It's a great place to spend some time outdoors exercising or enjoying nature.

This photo was taken from the center of the Kin Bridge.

For photography, it's best to travel around the east side of the dam, using morning light.

Late afternoons, HWY 104 and the western entrance would be best.

The red drink machine is the only place you can spend money at this site.

Grab some coffee, tea or juice to drink but, don't waste your cash buying water.

 Just a few meters past the drink machine, you come to the Dam Park.

And, over there the dam water if free !

Off to the left of the Dam Map you will find toilets and, they are always clean.

 This is one of my favorite spots for catching birds in flight.

There weren't any ospreys out, diving for fish today for some strange reason.

Moving deeper into the dam, here is another great place for viewing nature.

The bridge is a great place to watch for birds, flying around the dam.

Kouchibaru Wetland is directly ahead.

Enter here slowly and quietly and, you will observe all kinds of wildlife.

Herons, egrets, kingfishers, ducks, ospreys and turtles are some of the critters, I've gotten here.

If you move too fast and frighten one bird, they all disappear.

This is a point on the west side of the dam where, you cross over water.

Around the bend, you lose sight of the water and come back out on a highway.

HWY 104 can be dangerous for bikers and hikers.

People like to speed along this road  and, some say it's haunted.

Let's just call them a bunch of dam fools.

If you are walking, it's best to use the sidewalk; it's only on one side of the highway.

Afternoon light is always the best, over the west side of the dam.

The entrance from HWY 104 leads to the parking lot below.

Driving across the dam would take you to the park and toilet facilities.

Outside the dam, there are restrooms to the right and down the stairs below this viewpoint.

Walking towards the dam office, I stopped halfway across the dam spillway.

From this point you can see the Kin Bridge, Okukubi River and a bit of the ocean.

The entire excursion lasted a few hours but, I don't rush things.

It's easy to spend half a day, taking photos and, inhaling nature for me, anyway.

The red X's on this Google Earth screenshot, show where, I Geo-tagged today's images.

More later.....