August 2021 Comes to an End

 The Blog Has Been Waiting

We've been extremely busy in Okinawa doing things like Social Distancing er, People Avoidance.

Coronavirus has the whole world doing things a little bit differently. Will it ever end?

Most mornings I'm out of the house with the cameras way before sunrise. 

The idea is to get some nature photos, upper body exercise, and 10,000 steps done prior to noon.

The sun can be brutal on this island during the summer months.  It'll tan your hide.

Fridays I get to leave town and do some traveling. 

For those who haven't seen me in a while, here's a peek at my foot.

The lighting (in the sky) was horrible at this attraction so, I pointed my lens towards the ground.

This is a place, I call, the Big Bird Tower in Hedo.

A discovery made, at the parking area below the Big Bird, was this Okinawa Tree Lizard.

For the past four Fridays, I've been back shooting this lizard and some companion critters.

A Parting Shot

The weather towards the end of the month had me a bit worried. Would we see the full moon?

It was the weekend of Obon. Okinawan spirits return to their family homes.

On the final evening, they return to the heavens, under the light of the full moon.

The sky was cloudy. It was windy. From the roof of my house a quick snap of the shutter.

Minutes later there was no moon to be seen. End of August Report 

GIF: Lizard Doing Lunch in Rock Garden

A Bit of Outdoor Therapy

The day, was spent catching up on image processing; I didn't travel far from the office.

Long periods of sitting and staring at a computer monitor, aren't good for the eyeballs.

So, every once in awhile, I grab a camera and head out the door.

It's been acting like it'll rain any minute; the rock garden, outback was the place to go.

Just looking at greenery, relaxes the eyes and, gives me a chance to stretch.

There wasn't any sunlight so, shutter speed is a bit slow for the action going on.

But if, you look closely, the reptile, sticks its tongue out and nabs a little green bug.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 50MM F1.8

Exposure: f/4   1/500   ISO 400

Location: Kin Town Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  OCT 10 2016  1:33PM

Related Post:  Animated (GIF) Takydromus Lizard

Nature GIF of a Aokanahebi -- Takydromus smaragdinus

Green Grass Lizards Ain't Always Green

This animation was created using 6 images, taken out back, behind my office.

The reptile known as Aokanahebi (アオカナヘビ) is a Green Grass Lizard.

Scientists, would call it a Takydromus smaragdinus.

They Change Colors at Some Point in Life

In researching, I haven't come up with the answer but, will keep looking.

Digging back through my files, I can find some, with green spots on their backs.

A larger, green and yellow one of the same species, has been seen scampering around.

Natural Pest Control

Out in the free world, these guys eat bugs, that would annoy most people.

They run around in the garden and, climb trees searching for food.

Some crazy folks, collect the lizards and, stick them in aquariums, to live.

Then, they get online and ask questions like, "What do I feed them?"

The criminals, who sell them, will sell you lizard food, too.

Crazies and criminals, should try living in captivity and, see how much fun it is.

That's all I've got to say, for now.

Animation: Green Grass Lizard

Hanging Out in a Shrub

 

 

This character used up about 20GB on one SD card from my Pentax, today.

While the card was downloading, I went back outside for some fresh air.

The light was right so, I grabbed another SD card and the camera, for round two.

Some people have been getting this lizard mixed up with a house gecko.

This is a Takydromus smaragdinus and, it doesn't live indoors.

Hours, were spent, hoping to catch some photos of the critter on some rocks.

But, it spent the entire day, scurrying around in this small tree.

It has some extremely long toes for climbing but, I don't believe, they have suction cups.

So, I doubt, this individual, could walk on a ceiling, as house geckos do.

The images in the GIF were taken with the Pentax K1.

A 300MM lens was used along with a tripod.

Exposure:  f/4   1/320   ISO 400 

You May Also Like:

Takydromus Something or Other

Animated (GIF) of Takydromus Lizard

Appears to Be a Youngster

 

 

Today was the first time, I ever noticed one of these, high in a shrub.

Just back from a camera walk with the 50MM lens, I was lucky to catch these shots.

Knowing, it would be gone, before I could run, to change lenses, I fired away.

The images would have turned out much sharper, using a big lens. 

Sometimes, you have to make-do-with-what-you've-got or, come home with no photos at all.

While I was outback shooting, the landlord came by, to get something out of his car.

He looked at me funny and, I could tell, he was wondering, what I was doing.

At the time, I couldn't remember, how to say "lizard" in Japanese.

So, I just said, "Konnichiwa" and waited until he was gone.

Then, took the camera and hopped up into the rock garden, to get a bit closer.

It scared the lizard and, it scampered away, real fast.

That gave me plenty of ass shots, which I won't post  here.

They are important items, for the scientific community, showing necessary details.

Anybody, other than scientists, who wants detailed ass shots of lizards, can contact me.

Payment can be arranged through PayPal or, via the postal system.

Large denominations of unmarked bills, in US currency, are preferred.

This lizard appears to be a Takydromus smaragdinus.

Lizard, in Japanese is トカゲ (tokage) for those learning the language.

Related Post:

GIF of the Week: Takydromus smaragdinus

GIF of the Week: Takydromus smaragdinus

A Unexpected Find

 

 

This morning, I went on, what I call, a before-the-typhoon walk.

Knowing it's going to rain for a few days, I had to get out of the office.

The plan, was to shoot some flowers and, that was accomplished in no time at all.

On the way back to the office, I spotted motion among the sweet potato vines out back.

So, I hung around for a few hours and let lizards entertain me.

 There are now, about six new flower photos in my files for today.

And, a couple of hundred lizard images, too !

Green Grass Lizard with the Pentax DA50mmF1.8 and K3 Camera

 Image Before Cropping

 

 

It's pretty hard to see the lizard but, I spot-focused on the eye.

It was raining and the critter hid under some plants for shelter. They blend in well. Don't they ?

Cropped Image

Plenty of shots were taken, using a tripod and continuous shooting mode.

That way, I could crop one, for you to get a closer look.

And, there were a lot more images available to create this GIF to show you.

Surprise: Green Grass Lizards Aint Always All Green !

Dancing With Lizards

 

 

It would be easier to dance with a rare one than, try to get a good identification.

If you're tired of looking at lizard photos, don't feel bad.

I am, too.

For those, interested in doing further research on these critters:

The Reptile Database

Japanese only: ISBN978-4-408-32351-0 page 58

Green Grass Lizard Is What We'll Call It (GIF)

Outback Again Today

 

 

Aokanahebi（アオカナヘビ） is the Japanese name for this lizard.

Two sources helped me with the identification.

One, works at the Kin Town Office and, the other is a Park Ranger.

The weather was looking, sort of iffy so, I stayed close to the office today.

And, went out with the Pentax K3 and an 18-250mm lens.

When I called it a day, there were over 900 images of lizards in the camera.

Before, I officially,  declare this a Takydromus smaragdinus, I better check the books.

It's not wise, to put scientific names on critters and, be wrong.

So, whenever the little tropical storm were having, departs, I plan on going to the library.

Once, I confirm the name there, I may have another lizard to post here.

It's a different color but, could be a Green Grass Lizard, too.

Holy leapin' lizards, Batman. 

There may be an endangered species, living out there behind my office !

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

Lessons Learned from a Lizard

Little Godzilla Came in the Office

 

This character was out in the alley yesterday morning.

There's no smoking allowed in my office.  It's sort of a self-imposed restriction.

Every time I went out back for a nicotine break, I'd see the lizard.

But, whenever I grabbed a camera, he'd disappear.

A little past noon, the critter just walked in the door and started checking the place out.

So, I grabbed a camera and flash.

Crawling around on the concrete floor, I started catching shots from a few angles.

People think I'm crazy when I talk to reptiles and birds but, it works, for me.

It's better than talking to yourself.  That's what crazies do.

The lizard had to be told, "Quit blinking when I'm taking your picture."

The little guy and I, got along just fine.

I figured, he could stay, as long as he was trainable.

Like I wouldn't mind him eating mosquitoes but, didn't want him crapping all over the floor.

That's the reptile, on the right corner of my laptop.

He watched, as I developed his pictures.

A bug eating friend, living in my office.  How cool is that ?

But Things Took a Turn for the Worse

Coming back from a visit to the bathroom, I noticed.

The poor guy was dead.

The main suspect:

A YELLOW FLIP-FLOP !

 

What Did We Learn ?

• This office could use a good cleaning lady
• It wouldn't hurt to wash those flip-flops
• All good things must come to an end
• People shouldn't walk on their friends
• Wrapping a dead lizard in a napkin, conceals it from the garbage man 

 

Photo Essay: A Look at Ikei Island in Okinawa, Japan

Ikei Island can be a simple one day visit for anyone wanting to get away from it all.

It's nice to be able to visit another island without having to take a ferry.

Sun-worshipers, beach-bums, jet-skiers, swimmers and snorkelers are welcome.

 If off-the-beaten-path is your style, you can do that, too.

 Just drive around the tobacco fields and take all the side roads.

Sooner, or later, you'll come across some important looking rock.

Find a trail, nearby and go on down to see what's there.

Maybe, you'll see some Rice Paper Butterflies along the way.

Sometimes, you find a beach with nobody on it. Flip-flops not recommended here.

So I left.

 Nakabura Vestige is a restoration of some ancient dwellings on Ikei Island.

Red Helen Butterflies hangout around there, too. 

It's hard for me to decide what my favorite part of the day was on the island. 

Maybe, catching this lizard out in nature. 

Or, catching a steak dinner for under twenty bucks, back at Igei Beach's Restaurant ! 

Wildlife Photo: Ryukyu Short-legged Skink from Ikei Island

This photo of a Ryukyu Short-legged Skink (Ateuchosarus pellopleurus) was taken April 10, 2012.

It's been over two months since the day I captured the shot of the critter on Ikei Island.

That happens to be one of Okinawa's outlying islands that you can get to by car.

Getting a picture of a lizard running around in the wild is one thing; that's the fun part.

Trying to find a common and scientific name for the critter is something else.

That's work.

Some of the wildlife photos I manage to capture are critters seen only on the Ryukyu Islands.

There aren't many reliable, English-language sites to go to for the research.

Being 99% certain that the above photo is a Ryukyu Short-legged Skink, 

that's what I'm naming this guy, for now.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

Source: LIZARDS OF JAPAN 

Weird White Long-haired Lizard-looking Creature (Photos)

Standing on a bridge in Okinawa, Japan as the sun was setting last night, I spotted this thing that appeared to be a feather from one of the white egrets we have flying around here.

          It caught my attention because when the wind stopped blowing, it didn't stop moving.

        Too get a better look, I unholstered my camera and zoomed-in on it.  It looked back at me.

Feathers don't have eyes.  So, I climbed down off the bridge and got as close as I could without falling in the river.  There's no telling what this creature might be.  All I know for sure is it isn't a feather.  It might be a bug, a lizard or some kind of ancient mutated minature dragon and I ain't telling anybody where it lives until some scientist tells me the scientific name of the creature.

If they don't have a name for this critter, I'll name it for them.  It'll be something like:

WIERD WHITE LONG-HAIRED LIZARD-LOOKING ANCIENT MINATURE DRAGONASARUS ryukyumikusjaponicus, or something like that.  You ever seen one ?