Reflections Along the Okukubi River

Nature Therapy for the Soul

Lately I've been taking early morning hikes with the dog, trying to get him in shape.

Way before sunup, I'm out navigating Okinawa's east coast in Kin Town.

By the time the sun rises above surrounding hills and trees I'm walking along the river.

These birds, known as Black-winged Stilts entertained me, circling above the water.

It was 6:39 AM on April 8th, when this image was captured.

Can you remember what you were doing at the time?

Moving along the east bank of the river, I keep looking for interesting reflections to shoot.

Some of my Okinawa friends, who have moved off the island, will enjoy these photos.

They bring back memories of hours, spent on the river, enjoying nature photography.

Not actually planning on bird photography, I was using wide angle lenses.

It would be 7:15 AM by the time I reached this Kin Bypass bridge.

The dog and I, would continue our leisurely stroll all the way to the Kin Dam.

There, we would rest in the shade and take a refreshing water break.

If there's a river or lake near you, checkout the early morning light.

You might be surprised, what the scenery does for your spirits!

Google Maps Location 

Travel Photo: Mangrove Reflections

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 155mm

Exposure:  f/16   1/2sec   ISO 100

Location:  Okukubi River, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  AUG 30 2015  6:27PM

A Few Facts About Mangrove Forests

 

 

Mangrove trees only grow in tropical and subtropical coastal areas.

They become flooded and drained, twice each day, with the movement of the tides.

Mangrove trees survive in levels of salt which would kill most plants.

They are home to many snakes, amphibians, fish, crustaceans and birds.

The roots provide protection from predators for many young fish and crabs.

They  help stop coastal erosion along many shorelines around the world. 

You May Also Like:

Down in the Mangroves

In the Mangroves of Okinawa

Flower and Seed (Photos) The Mangrove Tree of Okinawa

REFERENCES:

National Geographic

National Ocean Service

Mangrove Forests: Ecosystems

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 

 

Water Buffalo Project -- This May Take Awhile

The Bulls Are in Training

 

 

One of these days, we will have water buffaloes pulling wagons in Kin Town.

Preparations are underway down at Nature Mirai but, things aren't ready just yet.

There are signs posted, warning you, keep back from the untrained bulls.

With a typhoon coming along, I didn't see much wildlife out and about.

So, I decided to get some water buffalo photography done.

Something in the works, for me, requires images of these bovines.

An old water bull and a younger, energetic one, are required for my project.

It was fairly easy, talking my way into the lot with the animals.

All I had to do was tell the young man tending them, I'm an old cowhand.

Inside the enclosure, I went so, I could get up close and use a wide angle lens.

These animals are going to be pulling tourists around the mangroves, someday.

Right now they aren't too crazy about cameras being pointed at them.

That's something they better get used to because, travelers like to take photos.

There were a few other water buffaloes in that pen but, I like these two the best.

They just have to get to know me a little better and, they will cooperate with the camera.

The young one couldn't reach far enough to poke me with a horn.

He turned around and, kicked some buffalo chips onto my lens.

Back where I come from, that cow would be turned into hamburger meat.

After a few more visits, things will run much more smoothly.

Once the management sees how good, I am at handling cows, the might want to hire me.

Tourists may pay big bucks to ride a water buffalo cart, with Santa at the reins !

Politically Incorrect Birds in the Mangroves

Fear Not:  Nobody's Getting Political Here

 

After sorting the day's wildlife photos it's fun to exercise the imagination.

So, that's what I do sometimes, while waiting for the bars to open.

The egret on the left saw a stranger in the wetland.

That bird on the right isn't from Okinawa.  So, why's he hanging around here ?

Get outta my swamp !

No ospreys are allowed in here !

So, the big bird on the right says, "I'm not an osprey.  I'm a penguin".

Oh.  Excuse me for being so blond.  Penguins are OK.

Grey Heron Antics in the Mangroves of Okinawa (Photo Essay)

This series of photos was taken Nov 23, 2011 at a Wetland Center in Naha Okinawa, Japan.

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a beautiful bird to photograph when they are landing, taking off, or in flight.  But, just watching them in the mangroves can be fun, too.

It takes some patience because the Blue Heron can stay in one place for hours doing nothing.

They won't give you any clue as to when the antics will start.

 Sooner or later they have to put on some sort of show.

This one sent out some sort of message.

Then, waited for a reply.

Did a little dance.  Shook it to the left.

And shook it to the right,

Then got an itch.

And scratched it for awhile.

Let out a little rebel yell.

And went right back into the doing nothing mode, again.

If you go back and look at the first photo and compare it to the last one, the Grey Heron's antics seem to have improved its attitude.

So, next time I'm in the mangroves maybe, I'll leave the camera behind and try acting like a Grey Heron.

  Who knows ? 

It might work for people, too !